Your place · Car ownership
Checking for recalls
Enter your 17-character VIN (lower left of the windshield, or on your registration) or your plate at NHTSA.gov/recalls. "0 unrepaired recalls" means you're clear; anything else, call a dealer for your brand. Safety recall repairs are free, by law the manufacturer must fix, replace or refund. Check twice a year and get the free SaferCar app for alerts. If your car has a Do Not Drive warning, like certain Takata air bag vehicles, don't drive it except straight to the dealer.
You'll need
- Your VIN (lower left of the windshield, or on your registration or insurance card) or your license plate number
Do it like this
- Enter it, or your plate number, at NHTSA.gov/recalls. If there's nothing to fix, you'll see "0 unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN". Source: NHTSA1
What the VIN search won't show
- Recalls already repaired on your car. Source: NHTSA1
- Some recently announced recalls where not every VIN has been added yet. Check again later. Source: NHTSA1
- Recalls more than 15 years old, unless the manufacturer covers longer. Source: NHTSA1
- Recalls by small manufacturers, including some ultra-luxury and specialty brands. Source: NHTSA1
- Non-safety campaigns from the manufacturer, and international vehicles. Source: NHTSA1
What the manufacturer has to do
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I pay for the fix? | No. Safety recall repairs are free. |
| What are the options? | Repair, replace, refund, or in rare cases buy back the vehicle. |
| Do I get a loaner? | Not required, but ask. For some Do Not Drive recalls, manufacturers provide towing and loaners. |
| The dealer refuses? | Tell the manufacturer right away, and file a complaint with NHTSA with the dealer's name. |
What to say to the dealer
Hi, my car has an open safety recall. The VIN is [VIN] and the recall number is [number from NHTSA or the letter]. I'd like to schedule the free repair. Do you have the parts? If not, can you put me on the list and tell me what to do in the meantime? Is a loaner available?
See it done
Video by USDOTNHTSA Government
Routine Vehicle Safety Recall Check
2023 · Checked October 3, 2026
Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.
If it doesn't work
- The VIN doesn't come up? Check that you typed all 17 characters. The letters I, O and Q aren't used in VINs, so those are usually 1s and 0s.
- Plate search shows your old car? Plate data comes from the state DMV. Ask the DMV to update it, and search by VIN in the meantime. Source: NHTSA1
- Got a temporary ("interim") air bag replacement? Still get it, because a newer air bag is safer than an old one, then get the final free repair too. Source: NHTSA2
- Think your car has a safety problem that isn't recalled? File a complaint with NHTSA. Similar complaints from many people can lead to an investigation and a recall. Source: NHTSA1
Good to know
The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.
Buying used?
Run the VIN before you buy, so you know whether a safety fix is outstanding. The FTC also says to check for recalls when buying used. Source: FTC4
Keep the paperwork
Ask for a completed repair order for any work done. Source: FTC
Take it with you
Printable cardDownload card (PDF)Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Takata recall spotlight
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Tires
- Federal Trade Commission Buying a used car from a dealer
Lesson H6.5 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.
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