A safety recall is one of the few car repairs that costs you nothing. When a vehicle has a safety defect, the manufacturer is required to fix it for free. The catch is that the fix only happens if someone knows about the recall and takes the car in.
That is where used cars often fall through the cracks. Recall notices are mailed to the registered owner, so when a car changes hands, or the owner moves, the notice may never reach the person actually driving it. Checking takes only a minute, whether you already own the car or are thinking about buying it.
What counts as a safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle or piece of equipment has a defect that creates a safety risk, or that it does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Common examples include airbags that may not deploy correctly, brake or steering components that can fail, fuel leaks that create a fire risk and electrical faults that can disable lights.
Once a recall is issued, the manufacturer must notify registered owners and provide a remedy at no charge. The remedy is usually a repair, but it can also be a replacement part, or in some cases a repurchase of the vehicle.
How to check a car for open recalls
Step 1: Find the VIN
Recall lookups work by vehicle identification number, because a recall often affects only some vehicles of a given model, depending on where and when they were built. You can find the 17-character VIN on the dashboard through the lower corner of the windshield, on the driver's door jamb label, and on the title, registration and insurance card. Our guide on how to find a VIN has more locations.
Step 2: Search NHTSA's recall database
Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's lookup shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that specific vehicle. It covers recalls from roughly the past 15 calendar years and includes the major automakers and motorcycle manufacturers.
You can also check open recalls for free with a CleanCarHistory VIN check, alongside the decoded specs. That is convenient if you are already researching a car's history.
Step 3: Double-check with the manufacturer
Most automakers have an owner website where you can enter a VIN and see recalls, as well as other service campaigns. A franchised dealer for that brand can also look up the VIN in the manufacturer's system and tell you whether any recall work is outstanding.
Understanding the results
| Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No open recalls | No unrepaired safety recalls are on record for this VIN. | Check again every few months, since new recalls are issued regularly. |
| Recall incomplete | A recall applies to this vehicle and the repair has not been recorded as done. | Call a franchised dealer for the brand and schedule the free repair. |
| Recall incomplete, remedy not yet available | The recall applies, but the manufacturer does not have the fix or parts ready yet. | Read the recall notice for interim safety advice and watch for a second notice when parts arrive. |
Important: Some recalls come with a "do not drive" or "park outside" warning because the risk is severe. If you see one, follow it, and ask the dealer or manufacturer about towing to the dealership.
What a VIN recall search does not cover
A VIN lookup is the right starting point, but it has limits:
- Tires. Tire recalls are tracked by the Tire Identification Number molded into the sidewall, not by the vehicle's VIN. You can search tire recalls separately on NHTSA's site.
- Child seats and aftermarket equipment. These are recalled separately from the vehicle.
- Very recent recalls. A just-announced recall may take some time to show up in VIN searches.
- Older vehicles and smaller manufacturers. Recalls more than about 15 years old, and some smaller brands, may not appear.
- Non-safety issues. Technical service bulletins (TSBs) and extended warranty programs are not safety recalls and do not show up in NHTSA's recall lookup. Repairs under a TSB are not automatically free, although a manufacturer may cover some through a warranty extension.
How to get a recall fixed for free
- Call a franchised dealer for the brand. Any authorized dealer for that make can do recall work. You do not need to be the original owner, and you do not need to have bought the car from that dealer.
- Give them the VIN and the recall number, which appears on the recall notice and in the lookup results. Ask whether parts are in stock and how long the repair takes.
- Ask about transportation. Some manufacturers offer loaner cars, rental reimbursement or towing for certain recalls, especially when parts are delayed. This varies by brand and recall, so ask rather than assume.
- Confirm the work was done. Keep the repair order showing the recall was completed. It is useful proof when you sell the car.
If you already paid for a repair before the recall was announced, check the recall notice or ask the manufacturer about reimbursement. Manufacturers generally must have a plan to reimburse owners who paid for the same fix before the recall was issued, subject to conditions and time limits set out in the notice.
If the dealer will not help
Most recall appointments go smoothly, but if a dealer refuses the work, tries to charge you for it or keeps delaying without a clear reason:
- Try a different franchised dealer for the same brand.
- Call the manufacturer's customer service line, usually listed on the recall notice and in the owner's manual.
- File a complaint with NHTSA online at nhtsa.gov or through its Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Recalls and used-car buying
Federal law prohibits dealers from selling new vehicles with open safety recalls, and rental companies are barred from renting out vehicles with open recalls until they are fixed. However, there is no general federal ban on selling a used car with an open recall. Dealers and private sellers can sell one legally, and some never mention it.
That makes the recall check a standard step in any purchase. The FTC Buyers Guide posted on used cars at dealerships even tells shoppers how to check for unrepaired recalls. Before you buy:
- Run the VIN through a recall lookup as part of your used-car buying checklist.
- If there is an open recall, ask the seller to have it repaired before you take delivery, or confirm that parts are available so you can get it done yourself.
- Be cautious with recalls marked "remedy not yet available," especially if they carry a driving warning. You could be buying a car you are advised not to drive.
Stay informed after you buy
Once you own a car, make sure future recall notices reach you:
- Register the vehicle in your name promptly, so the manufacturer's notices are mailed to your address.
- Update your address with your state's motor vehicle agency, and with the manufacturer's owner site, when you move.
- Sign up for recall alerts from NHTSA, and check your VIN a few times a year.
Recall checks are free, quick and potentially lifesaving. Make one part of every car you buy, and repeat it for every car you own.