How to check if your car has a recall

The quickest way to check for a recall is to enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in our free VIN check. It takes about two minutes, costs nothing and shows any safety recall that has not been fixed on that exact vehicle.

Why you should check, even if you never got a letter

A safety recall means the manufacturer, often after pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has agreed that a defect puts people at risk. The fix is free. But it only helps if the work actually gets done.

Recall letters are mailed to the registered owner at the address the state and the manufacturer have on file. Letters get missed for many reasons:

• you moved and the address was not updated
• you bought the vehicle used, from a dealer or a private seller
• the letter looked like junk mail and was thrown away
• the recall was announced after you last checked

Checking yourself takes less time than reading the letter would.

Find your VIN

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is 17 characters long. It uses letters and numbers but never the letters I, O or Q, so you will not mix them up with 1 and 0. You can find it:

• on a small plate at the lower driver's side of the windshield, readable from outside the car
• on the sticker on the driver's door jamb
• on your registration card, title or insurance card
• in the manufacturer's app, if you use one

Check by VIN

1. Copy the VIN exactly. Check each character twice. A single wrong character gives you a different vehicle or no result.
2. Enter it at NHTSA or on this site. Use nhtsa.gov/recalls for the official open-recall result. Our VIN check decodes the VIN and opens the page for your year, make and model, with its recalls, owner complaints and common problems in one place.
3. Read the result carefully. NHTSA shows either that there are no unrepaired recalls for that VIN, or lists each open recall with a short description.
4. Act on any open recall. Call a franchised dealer for that brand and book the free repair. Our guide on what to do if your car has a recall walks you through it.

Check by year, make and model

If you do not have the VIN yet, for example when you are shopping for a used car, you can look up the year, make and model instead. On this site, the address follows a simple pattern, such as /toyota/camry/2018.

A model search shows every recall issued for that model year. It does not tell you whether a particular vehicle is affected or already fixed. Many recalls cover only some vehicles, such as those built at one plant, between certain dates or with a certain engine. Once you have the VIN, check again by VIN.

What the results mean

The exact wording on NHTSA's site can change, but results usually fall into one of these groups.

What "remedy not yet available" means

When a manufacturer confirms a safety defect, it must report it to NHTSA quickly, even if it has not worked out the fix or made enough parts. That is why some recalls show "remedy not yet available".

In this case the manufacturer sends an interim letter explaining the risk and what to do in the meantime. When the fix is ready, it sends a second letter. While you wait:

• follow any interim instructions, such as avoiding a certain feature or watching for a warning light
• ask a dealer to put you on the list for parts and to call you when they arrive
• ask the manufacturer whether it offers a loaner or rental car while you wait, especially for serious risks
• check your VIN again every few weeks

Why to check before you buy

Federal law stops dealers from selling or leasing new vehicles with an open safety recall. In most cases it does not stop the sale of a used vehicle with an open recall, whether by a dealer or a private seller.

Recall repairs are free no matter who owns the vehicle, so an open recall is not a reason to walk away on its own. But you should know about it before you hand over money:

• ask the seller to have the recall fixed before the sale, if the parts are available
• if the remedy is not available yet, find out how long the wait might be and whether the vehicle is safe to drive meanwhile
• check owner complaints for that model year too, because problems that never became recalls can still be costly

Our used car safety checklist covers the rest.

What a VIN search does not cover

NHTSA's VIN search covers safety recalls from the past 15 calendar years and from major automakers, including motorcycle makers. Keep these limits in mind:

• Older vehicles. Recalls more than 15 years old may not show up.
• Small manufacturers. Some smaller makers are not in the VIN tool. Check with the manufacturer directly.
• Brand-new recalls. A recall announced in the last few days may not be linked to VINs yet.
• Equipment. Tires, child seats and aftermarket parts are not tied to your car's VIN. See tire safety and tire recalls.
• Non-safety campaigns. Emissions recalls, warranty extensions and service bulletins are separate from safety recalls.

Keep checking

New recalls are announced every week, and a vehicle that was clear last year can have an open recall today. Check your VIN every few months, and whenever you buy, sell or inherit a vehicle. You can follow the latest recalls as they are announced.

Make sure your state motor vehicle agency and the manufacturer have your current address so future letters reach you.

Questions and answers