A vehicle can become subject to a safety recall after it has already been on the road for months or years.
Checking your VIN periodically helps you determine whether your specific vehicle currently has an open safety recall.
NHTSA recommends routine recall checks because new recalls continue to be issued and existing campaigns can be updated.
A recall exists because a manufacturer or NHTSA has identified a safety-related defect or failure to comply with applicable safety requirements.
That does not mean every recall involves the same level of risk.
Always review the information for the specific campaign.
This is one of the most important things for consumers to understand.
The federal recall system places responsibility for the remedy on the manufacturer.
The manufacturer then works through its authorized dealer network to perform repairs for affected vehicle owners.
That is why VehicleRecalls.com connects consumers with manufacturer-authorized dealers rather than generic repair facilities.
A vehicle that has no open recall today could be included in a future recall.
NHTSA says consumers should check for recalls at least twice each year because recalls are continuously issued and updated.
A new check can be especially useful:
A change in ownership does not automatically close a recall.
If the previous owner never completed the required remedy, the recall can remain open for the vehicle.
That is why checking the VIN of a used vehicle is important.
An open recall tells you that an applicable recall remedy has not been recorded as completed.
It does not automatically tell you:
Those facts depend on the individual recall.
If a manufacturer has issued special instructions such as Do Not Drive or Park Outside, follow them.
There can be a gap between the announcement of a recall and availability of the final remedy.
NHTSA explains that manufacturers may need time to:
That is why remedy not yet available is a meaningful status.
It does not mean the recall has been canceled.
Authorized dealers are part of the manufacturer's service network.
Because the manufacturer is responsible for the recall remedy, authorized dealers receive the manufacturer's campaign information, repair procedures, parts and completion processes.
NHTSA tells consumers to contact their automaker's dealership for open recall repairs.
VehicleRecalls.com therefore works with participating, highly rated, manufacturer-authorized dealers.
Your ZIP code helps us identify the participating manufacturer-authorized dealer assigned to serve your area.
The vehicle make matters because recall remedies are tied to the manufacturer.
Your location matters because VehicleRecalls.com needs to identify an appropriate participating dealer that can serve you.
Our participating dealer standards also include strong consumer ratings.
Read the affected component, safety consequence, campaign number and remedy information.
Some campaigns may include specific precautions.
A recall can exist before the final remedy or required parts are available.
When appropriate, contact an authorized dealer for your vehicle manufacturer.
Once completed, keep any repair documentation provided by the dealer.
VehicleRecalls.com can help connect you with a participating authorized dealer, but consumers remain free to contact another authorized dealer for their vehicle manufacturer.
A vehicle with no open recall today may be included in a recall later. That is why checking again matters.
A recall can exist before the repair is ready.
Until the remedy is available, follow any interim instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Appropriate authorized network for your vehicle make
Meets VehicleRecalls.com participation standards for consumer ratings
Selected using the location information provided
Your ZIP code helps VehicleRecalls.com identify the participating dealer serving your area.