Vehicle recall lookup
Choose a model year, make and model to see every safety recall NHTSA has issued for it: what’s wrong, what could happen and how the manufacturer will fix it. Cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and RVs are all covered.
Have the VIN? Decode it to get the recalls for the exact model it was built as, then confirm open recalls for that vehicle with NHTSA’s VIN lookup (opens in a new tab).
How this recall lookup works
The three lists above come straight from NHTSA's recall database. Pick a model year and you see only the makes with at least one recall record for that year; pick a make and you see the model names NHTSA uses for it. The results are every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for that combination, newest first, with the defect, the risk and the fix as the manufacturer reported them.
Lists and results are fetched live from NHTSA's public API and cached for up to a day. Nothing is edited or summarised by us: the summary, consequence and remedy you read are NHTSA's published text. If you have the vehicle's VIN, decoding it shows the same recall list for the exact make, model and year it was built as, next to its specifications.
How a vehicle safety recall works
A recall starts when a manufacturer decides, or NHTSA formally determines, that a vehicle or piece of equipment has a defect that creates an unreasonable risk to safety, or that it fails a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Many recalls are the manufacturer's own decision; others follow an NHTSA investigation, which owner complaints often set off.
- The defect report. Within five working days of deciding a defect exists, the manufacturer files a report with NHTSA describing the problem, the vehicles affected and the planned fix (49 CFR Part 573).
- The campaign number. NHTSA logs the report under a campaign number such as 21V407000 and publishes it in the database you are searching here.
- The owner letter. Registered owners are notified by first-class mail, normally within 60 days of the defect report. If parts aren't ready yet, owners get an interim letter first and a second one when the fix is available.
- The remedy. Dealers carry out the repair, replace the part, update the software or, occasionally, buy the vehicle back. For a safety recall the remedy is free of charge, with narrow exceptions for very old vehicles.
What the fields in each result mean
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | NHTSA's reference for the recall. The first two digits are the year it was opened; the letter is the type: V vehicle, E equipment, T tires, C child seats. Quote it to the dealer. |
| Reported | The date NHTSA received the manufacturer's defect report, not the date your vehicle was built or repaired. |
| Component | NHTSA's classification of the system involved, from the broad group (air bags, fuel system) down to the specific part. |
| Summary | The defect in the manufacturer's words, often including which production dates or versions are covered. |
| Consequence | What could happen if the defect isn't fixed, such as a loss of drive power or an increased risk of fire. |
| Remedy | The fix, and usually when owner letters were or will be mailed. |
| Do not drive / Park outside | NHTSA consumer advisories for the most serious campaigns: stop driving the vehicle, or park it outside and away from buildings because of fire risk, until it is repaired. |
| Over-the-air fix | The remedy is a software update the vehicle can receive wirelessly, often without a workshop visit. |
Recalls for a model versus open recalls on your vehicle
A result here answers “which recalls were issued for this model and year?”. It can't tell you whether one particular vehicle was included, because a campaign is usually limited to a production window, a plant or a particular engine or option, and it doesn't know which vehicles have already been repaired.
For the status of one vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's owner website, or ask a franchised dealer. NHTSA's VIN search shows unrepaired recalls from the manufacturers that report to it, going back about 15 years; very new campaigns can take a little time to appear. Our guide to VIN recall checks covers the gaps in detail.
Two quirks are worth knowing. NHTSA sometimes files versions of one model under separate names, such as a hybrid, a body style or a cab configuration, so look through the whole model list for the year. And one campaign often spans several model years, so you will see the same campaign number when you look up neighbouring years.
What to do if a recall applies to your vehicle
- Read the consequence first. If the campaign carries a “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside” advisory, follow it now rather than waiting for an appointment.
- Confirm the vehicle is covered with a VIN check, then book the repair with a franchised dealer for the brand. Give them the campaign number.
- If parts are on back-order, ask the dealer or manufacturer what interim precautions apply and keep a note of who you spoke to.
- Paid for a repair of the same problem before the recall was announced? Manufacturers must have a plan for reimbursing owners, so keep the invoice and ask.
- If a dealer won't do the work, contact the manufacturer's customer service, then NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline (888-327-4236).
Buying used? Federal law stops dealers from selling a new vehicle with an unrepaired safety recall, but not a used one. Check the VIN before you pay, and ask the seller to have any open recall fixed first.
Vehicles sold outside the United States
NHTSA covers vehicles sold in the U.S. A model sold elsewhere can share a defect under a different campaign, or not be affected at all. Outside the U.S., use the national authority's database: Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database, the DVSA recall checker on GOV.UK, the EU's Safety Gate portal or Australia's vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our VIN recall check guide.
Is this recall lookup free?
Yes. There is no account, no fee and nothing to install. The data is NHTSA's public recall database.
How current are the recalls?
Each list and result is fetched from NHTSA's API and cached for up to 24 hours, so a campaign NHTSA publishes today appears here within a day.
Why does a recall show up for my model when my car was never affected?
Because the list covers the whole make, model and year, while most campaigns cover only part of the production. A VIN recall check settles whether your vehicle is included.
What does it mean when the remedy is “not yet available”?
The manufacturer has reported the defect but the parts or software fix aren't ready. Owners receive an interim letter explaining the risk and any precautions, then a second letter when the remedy can be scheduled.
Can I look up recalls by VIN here?
Not directly. Decode the VIN to see the recalls issued for its make, model and year, then confirm open recalls for that vehicle with NHTSA's VIN lookup (opens in a new tab).