How do I check for recalls on my vehicle?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our free recall lookup tool. We list the NHTSA recalls issued for your vehicle's year, make and model. To see which are still open on your exact car, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a dealer.

Are recall repairs free?

Yes, manufacturers are required by law to repair safety recall issues at no cost to you. Contact your local dealer to schedule the repair.

How long do I have to get a recall fixed?

There is no time limit to get recall repairs done - they are free for the life of the vehicle. However, you should address safety recalls as soon as possible.

Technician inspecting a vehicle during a recall repair at a dealership

Free Vehicle Recall Lookup by VIN

Search recalls by VIN free: enter any 17-character VIN to see the NHTSA safety recalls issued for that vehicle's year, make and model — what the defect is, the risk, the manufacturer's remedy, and where to get it fixed. Whether a recall is still open on one exact car is shown by NHTSA's own VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer of that brand, no matter how old the vehicle is or how many owners it has had.

How to check vehicle recalls by VIN

Find the VIN: dashboard at the base of the windshield (driver's side), the driver's door-jamb sticker, or the title/registration/insurance card.
Enter it above — we decode the year, make and model and list the recalls NHTSA has on file for that model.
Read the result: each recall shows the campaign number, the defect and its risk, and the free remedy. To see whether a recall is still open on your exact car, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a dealer of the brand.

Model recalls vs. open recalls on your car

Recalls apply to specific VIN ranges, not always to whole model years — two identical-looking vehicles can differ: one built before the affected production window, one inside it, and one may already have had the repair. Our list shows the recalls issued for the model; NHTSA's VIN lookup and the brand's dealers can tell you which ones are still open on your exact car. Model-level pages are useful for research before you have a VIN in hand — see the make hubs below.

What to do if your vehicle has an open recall

Call any authorized dealer for the brand with the VIN and campaign number — the repair is free by federal law, including parts and labor.
If the defect is serious (fire risk, airbags, steering), many manufacturers offer loaners or mobile repair — ask.
Buying used? Make the seller complete open recalls before purchase, or price the hassle in. Our full report pairs the recall check with accident, title-brand, and odometer history.

Free Vehicle Recall Lookup by VIN

How to check vehicle recalls by VIN

Model recalls vs. open recalls on your car

What to do if your vehicle has an open recall

Recalls by make