Free NHTSA Recall Lookup
Vehicle Recall Check
Check any vehicle for open safety recalls. Search by VIN for the most accurate results, or by year/make/model. We query the official NHTSA recall database in real time.
What Is a Recall?
A recall is a federally mandated correction of a vehicle safety defect or failure to comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recalls are issued either voluntarily by a manufacturer or by order of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.
When a recall is issued, the manufacturer must notify all registered owners by mail and offer a free repair, replacement, or refund. There is no expiration date on recall repairs — they remain free for the life of the vehicle. As of 2025, NHTSA tracks more than 32,000 recall campaigns covering over 500 million individual vehicles.
Recall Severity Flags Explained
Do Not Drive
NHTSA classifies the defect as severe enough that operating the vehicle poses an imminent safety risk. Common causes: defective airbag inflators (Takata), brake failures, steering loss. Stop driving immediately and arrange transportation to a dealer.
Park Outside
The vehicle has a fire risk that could ignite without warning. Park away from buildings, garages, and other vehicles until the recall is repaired. Common causes: faulty wiring harnesses, failing battery cells in EVs, fuel leaks.
OTA Update Available
The recall can be remedied via an over-the-air software update — no dealer visit required. Common on Tesla, Rivian, GM EVs, and recent Ford/Hyundai models. Check your vehicle's in-car notifications.
Recall Lookup by Make
Browse recall coverage by manufacturer. Each link queries NHTSA for that brand\u2019s entire recall history alongside CarWhere VIN decoder coverage.
Recall Check FAQ
How do I check if my car has a recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above, or pick year/make/model. We query the NHTSA recall database in real time and return every open safety recall for your vehicle. NHTSA is the federal agency that tracks all U.S. vehicle recalls — every manufacturer files recall campaigns with NHTSA, so this database is authoritative.
Is the NHTSA recall check really free?
Yes — completely free, no signup, no credit card. We use the official NHTSA recall API at api.nhtsa.gov/recalls. Manufacturers are legally required to fix open safety recalls free of charge for as long as the vehicle is on the road, regardless of mileage or ownership.
What does "park it" or "park outside" mean on a recall?
These are NHTSA severity flags. "Do not drive" means the recall is severe enough that the vehicle should not be operated until repaired (typically airbag or brake failures). "Park outside" means the vehicle has a fire risk and should not be parked in garages or near structures. Both flags require immediate action.
How long do recalls last?
Recall repairs never expire. By federal law (49 U.S. Code §30120), manufacturers must fix safety recalls free of charge for as long as the vehicle is registered. Even 20-year-old recalls remain open obligations on the manufacturer.
Does CarWhere store my VIN when I check recalls?
No. VIN lookups are passed directly to the NHTSA API and the result is shown to you only. We don't log VINs against personal accounts or sell lookup data.
What's the difference between a recall and a service bulletin?
A recall is a federally mandated repair for a safety defect — manufacturers must notify owners and pay for the fix. A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is an internal guide to dealers about a known issue, but doesn't obligate free repair. This tool checks recalls only; for TSBs, contact your dealer with the VIN.
Why doesn't my recall show up here?
A recall might not appear in our search if (1) the vehicle isn't in NHTSA's database (typically very old or grey-market vehicles), (2) the recall was issued by a manufacturer but not yet filed with NHTSA, or (3) you searched by year/make/model and the recall is VIN-specific. For VIN-specific recalls, search by VIN.
How do I get a recall fixed?
Call any authorized dealer for the brand. The dealer enters the VIN into the manufacturer's system, verifies the open recall, and schedules the free repair. You don't have to be the original owner. The campaign number from this page (e.g. 23V430000) speeds up the dealer's lookup.
Recall-free? See what buyers paid.
Once you've confirmed your vehicle has no open recalls, see what real buyers paid for the same year, make, and model on CarWhere.