Is My Car Under Recall?

Free Safety Recall Checker via NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains a public, up-to-date database of every vehicle safety recall in the United States. By law, safety recalls must be repaired by an authorized dealer for free.

Check your VIN directly on the official database:

Check My VIN on NHTSA.gov

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How to check your vehicle:

Find your VIN

Locate your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. It's found on the lower left of your car's windshield, on your vehicle registration card, or on your insurance card.

Enter it on NHTSA.gov

Click the link above and type your VIN into the search bar on the government website.

Review the Results

If it says "0 Unrepaired Recalls", your car is clear. If a recall is listed, it means your specific car needs a safety repair.

Call a Dealership

Call the service department of any local dealership for your car's brand. Tell them you have an open recall and need to schedule the free repair.

Important Recall Facts

Repairs are 100% free. The dealership cannot charge you for parts or labor related to a safety recall.
Any authorized dealer can fix it. You do not need to take it to the specific dealership where the car was purchased.
You don't need to be the original owner. Even if you bought the car used on Craigslist, the manufacturer is still legally obligated to fix safety recalls for free.
If parts aren't available yet, get on the waitlist in writing. Sometimes recall parts are on backorder. Ask the dealer to document your request and notify you when parts arrive.
Don't get upsold. Dealerships love doing recall work because the manufacturer pays them. However, they will often inspect your car while it's there and try to sell you other services. You can politely decline everything except the free recall work.

What If a Recall Repair Caused New Problems?

Sometimes a recall repair introduces new issues — a rattle that wasn't there before, a warning light that came on after the repair, or the car driving differently. This is more common than you'd think, and you have options.

1.Take it back to the dealer immediately. Explain that the new problem started right after the recall repair. They are obligated to investigate and fix any issues their work caused — still at no cost to you.
2.Document everything. Take photos, keep all paperwork, and note the date/mileage when the new problem appeared. This creates a paper trail if you need to escalate.
3.Contact the manufacturer's customer service line if the dealer is uncooperative. Every automaker has a regional case manager who can authorize additional repairs.
4.File a complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. This creates an official record and helps NHTSA identify patterns that may lead to additional recalls.
5.Get an independent assessment. If the dealer denies responsibility, have another mechanic inspect the car and provide a written opinion on whether the new problem is related to the recall work.

Recall vs. TSB vs. Warranty Extension — What's the Difference?

Most people confuse these three terms. They are very different in terms of what they mean for your wallet and your safety.

🔴 Safety Recall

A manufacturer-initiated fix for a safety defect — something that could cause a crash, injury, or fire. Required by federal law (NHTSA).

• Cost to you: Always free, no exceptions
• Who can fix it: Any authorized dealer for that brand
• Time limit: None — recalls never expire
• How to check: NHTSA.gov VIN lookup

🟡 Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)

A notice from the manufacturer to dealers about a known issue and recommended fix. Not a safety defect — more like a "known bug."

• Cost to you: Usually NOT free (unless still under warranty)
• Who knows about it: Dealers see TSBs in their system; independent mechanics usually don't
• Why it matters: If your car has a TSB-related issue, the dealer already knows the fix — so the repair should be faster and more accurate
• Pro tip: Search for TSBs on your car at nhtsa.gov/recalls before authorizing expensive repairs

🟢 Warranty Extension

The manufacturer voluntarily extends the warranty on a specific part or system because they know it fails too often. Sometimes called a "goodwill extension" or "special coverage adjustment."

• Cost to you: Free if within the extended period; full price if outside it
• Time limit: Yes — has mileage and age limits
• Why it matters: If you already paid for a repair covered by a warranty extension, you may be able to get reimbursed
• How to check: Call the dealer's service department and ask if any warranty extensions apply to your VIN

How to Sign Up for Recall Alerts by Email

NHTSA offers a free email alert service that notifies you whenever a new recall is issued for your specific vehicle. This way you don't have to keep checking manually.

Steps to sign up:

1.Go to nhtsa.gov/alerts
2.Enter your email address and your vehicle's VIN (17-digit number from your windshield or registration)
3.Confirm the subscription via the confirmation email NHTSA sends you
4.You'll receive an email any time a new recall, investigation, or TSB is issued for your car

You can register multiple vehicles under the same email. This is especially useful if you own more than one car or want to monitor vehicles for family members.

10 Most Recalled Vehicle Makes Historically

A high recall count doesn't necessarily mean a brand is unsafe — it often correlates with high sales volume. Manufacturers who sell more cars will naturally have more recalls. That said, knowing the patterns for your brand can help you stay proactive.

Ford

Historically leads in total recalls due to high sales volume. Watch for transmission, airbag, and fuel system recalls.

Chevrolet / GM

Ignition switch recall (2014) was one of the largest in history. Watch for electrical and powertrain recalls.

Toyota

Major unintended acceleration recalls in 2009-2010. Generally reliable but watch for airbag and braking system recalls.

Honda

Takata airbag recalls affected millions of Honda vehicles. Check older models (2001-2015) especially.

Chrysler / FCA

Frequent recalls across Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler brands. Watch for electrical and suspension issues.

Nissan

Transmission and braking system recalls are common. CVT-equipped models deserve extra attention.

BMW

Engine and electrical recalls are most common. Turbo and fuel system issues appear frequently.

Hyundai

Engine seizure recalls affected 2011-2019 models significantly. Check for engine and fire-related recalls.

Kia

Similar engine issues to Hyundai (shared platforms). Anti-theft vulnerability recall affected many 2011-2022 models.

Mercedes-Benz

Electrical and software recalls are most frequent. Steering and restraint system recalls also appear regularly.

Can You Sell a Car With an Open Recall?

The short answer: Yes, private sellers can sell a car with an open recall. However, licensed dealers cannot sell a used car with an unrepaired safety recall without fixing it first (this rule was established in 2016).

Key rules to know:

Private sellers: Legally allowed to sell a car with an open recall in most states, but disclosure requirements vary. Some states require you to inform the buyer in writing.
Dealers: Cannot legally sell a vehicle with an unrepaired safety recall. They must fix it before the sale.
Trade-ins: Dealers can accept a trade-in with an open recall, but they must repair it before reselling.
Rental cars: Rental companies are prohibited from renting vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls.

Our recommendation: Whether you're buying or selling, always run the VIN through NHTSA before the transaction. If you're selling a car with an open recall, get the free repair done first — it makes the car easier to sell and protects the next owner.

Check Recalls by Year, Make & Model

Don't have your VIN handy? Enter your vehicle info below and we'll open the NHTSA search for your make and model.

Need Help With a Recall or Other Car Issue?

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