How to Use NHTSA's Vehicle Recall Lookup Tool
Quick Answer
Vehicle recalls are different from most product recalls in one important way: you can look up your exact vehicle by its unique identifier, the VIN, and know for certain whether your specific car is affected. NHTSA's free lookup tool makes this a two-minute check.
Where to Find Your VIN
Your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number is in several places:
| Agency | Website / How to File |
|---|---|
| Dashboard | Driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside the car |
| Driver's door jamb | On a sticker inside the door frame |
| Vehicle registration | On the document itself |
| Insurance card | Typically listed on proof of insurance |
| Title | On the vehicle title document |
Every character in a VIN is meaningful. Make sure you copy it exactly, the letter O and the number 0 look similar, as do I and 1.
How to Use the NHTSA Lookup Tool
Website: nhtsa.gov/recalls
Phone: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) if you prefer to check by phone
NHTSA SaferCar App: Free iOS and Android app with VIN barcode scanner
Step 1: Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and click "Check for Recalls."
Step 2: Enter your full 17-character VIN and submit.
Step 3: Review the results. The search will show any open safety recalls that have not yet been remedied on your vehicle, as well as any investigations or complaints associated with your vehicle type.
What to expect: Results appear immediately. You will see the recall campaign number, a description of the safety defect, and the remedy. If no open recalls are found, the page confirms your vehicle has no outstanding recalls in the NHTSA database.
What the Results Tell You
Each recall result includes:
Recall description: What component is defective and what can go wrong. For example: "The fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall."
Safety risk: What injury or accident could result.
Remedy: What the manufacturer will do to fix it, typically a free repair, replacement part, or in rare cases a refund.
Recall status on your VIN: The search indicates whether the recall remedy has already been performed on your specific vehicle (if the VIN has been updated in the system by a dealer).
What to Do If Your Vehicle Has an Open Recall
Step 1: Note the recall campaign number from the search results.
Step 2: Contact any authorised dealer for that vehicle brand, you do not have to use your original dealer.
Step 3: Schedule the recall repair. The repair is always free. Federal law (the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act) requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to the owner, with no limit on vehicle age or mileage.
Step 4: Confirm the repair is completed and ask for documentation. The dealer should update the NHTSA system so the recall shows as remedied on your VIN.
If a dealer tries to charge you for a recall repair, refuse and report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem or 1-888-327-4236.
Checking Cars Before You Buy
NHTSA's lookup is particularly useful when buying a used vehicle. Run the VIN before purchase to check:
- Open recalls that have not been repaired
- Past safety investigations related to that vehicle type
- Whether any previous recalls were remedied
An open recall is not necessarily a reason to avoid a vehicle, but it is leverage for negotiation and a repair you should schedule immediately after purchase.
Checking Car Seats by Manufacturer
NHTSA also tracks car seat recalls. To check a car seat:
- Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Select "Child Restraints" from the product category dropdown
- Search by manufacturer name and model number (found on the label on the car seat itself)