Millions of vehicles are recalled in the U.S. every year, and many of them are never repaired. Owners miss the letter in the mail, buy the car used or assume a recall does not apply to them. Yet a safety recall exists because a defect could increase the risk of a crash or injury, and the repair costs you nothing. Checking takes about two minutes. Here is how to find out whether your car has an open recall, what to do next and how to report a problem you think should be investigated.
What a Safety Recall Is
A recall is issued when a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle, tire, car seat or piece of equipment has a safety-related defect or does not meet federal safety standards. Recalls can involve anything from airbags and seat belts to fuel leaks, brake components, software, lighting or battery systems.
Under federal rules, manufacturers must remedy safety recalls by repairing the part, replacing it, offering a refund or, in rare cases, repurchasing the vehicle. NHTSA says you should contact a local dealer to have recalled parts fixed for free.
How to Check Your Vehicle in Minutes
- Find your VIN. The 17-character vehicle identification number appears on the lower driver’s side of the windshield, on the driver’s door jamb, and on your registration and insurance card.
- Search NHTSA’s recall tool. Enter the VIN, or in some cases your license plate, at NHTSA.gov/recalls. The tool shows unrepaired safety recalls for that specific vehicle.
- Read the result carefully. If nothing is open, you will see a message stating there are zero unrepaired recalls associated with the VIN.
- Check the manufacturer’s site too. Automakers have their own owner portals with recall and service campaign information.
Know the tool’s limits
NHTSA notes that its VIN search does not show recalls that have already been repaired, does not cover recalls more than 15 years old unless the manufacturer provides more coverage, and may not yet include very recent recalls while VINs are still being identified. It also excludes small manufacturers and non-safety customer service campaigns. That is why NHTSA recommends checking for recalls twice a year.
What to Do If You Find an Open Recall
- Read the recall details. They describe the defect, the risk and the remedy. Some recalls include instructions such as not parking the car indoors or not driving it until it is repaired.
- Call a franchised dealer for your brand. Give them the VIN and recall number and schedule the repair. You do not need to have bought the car from that dealer.
- Ask about parts availability. For large recalls, parts may take time. Ask whether interim measures are recommended and whether you will be notified when parts arrive.
- Ask about transportation. Some manufacturers provide loaner cars or rentals for certain recalls, especially “do not drive” notices. Policies vary, so ask.
- Keep the paperwork. The repair order is proof the recall was completed, which helps at resale.
Do Not Forget Tires, Car Seats and Equipment
Recalls are not limited to the vehicle itself. Tires, child car seats and aftermarket equipment can be recalled too. Because these items are not tied to your VIN, NHTSA lets you search by product category, brand and model. Registering a car seat or tires with the manufacturer is the most reliable way to be notified directly. If you buy a used car, consider the tires and any car seat that came with it as separate items to check.
Get Alerts Automatically
Manufacturers are required to notify registered owners by first-class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. That only works if the manufacturer has your current address, so update it with the automaker when you move or buy a used car. You can also:
- Download NHTSA’s free SaferCar app, which alerts you when a recall is found for a vehicle or equipment you have saved.
- Sign up for NHTSA’s recall email alerts.
- Create an account on your automaker’s owner website.
How to Report a Safety Problem
If you experience a problem you believe is a safety defect, file a complaint with NHTSA through its “Report a Safety Problem” page. NHTSA removes personal information before adding complaints to its public database. When the agency receives similar reports about the same product, it may open an investigation, which can lead to a recall. Include as much detail as you can: the VIN, mileage, what happened, conditions at the time and any repair records.
Buying a Used Car? Check Before You Sign
Used cars are a common place for open recalls to slip through, because recall letters go to the address the manufacturer has on file, which may belong to a previous owner. Before you buy from a private seller or a dealer, run the VIN through NHTSA’s lookup and the manufacturer’s site, and ask the seller for proof that any open recall has been completed. If a recall is open and parts are available, you can ask the seller to have it repaired before the sale, or schedule the free repair yourself right after. Federal law bars dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls, but rules for used vehicles are different, so never assume a used car has already been checked. After the purchase, contact the automaker to update the ownership record so future recall notices reach you.
FAQ
Will a dealer charge me for a recall repair?
No. Safety recall repairs are free. If a dealer quotes a charge, ask whether the work is part of the recall remedy or a separate repair.
Do recalls expire?
Many vehicle recall remedies remain available for years, but there are limits: free-remedy obligations can depend on the vehicle’s age, tire recalls have short time windows, and reimbursement offers for repairs you paid for yourself have deadlines. Act on a recall as soon as you learn about it.
Can a used car be sold with an open recall?
Rules vary by seller and state, so always run the VIN before you buy and ask the seller to complete any open recall.
Sources
Featured image: Jwale2 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0