Check your VIN for car recalls
To check if your car has an open recall, look up your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's free recall tool on nhtsa.gov/recalls. It reports any unrepaired safety recall on that exact vehicle, straight from manufacturer records. Enter your VIN below — we validate it and open the official lookup. The model pages on RecallRadar show the recall history for popular vehicles, but the VIN check is the only way to confirm whether your specific car still needs a repair.
Source: NHTSA recall lookup by VIN. Data as of June 2026.
Where to find your VIN
- Windshield — driver's side, where the dashboard meets the glass (visible from outside).
- Door jamb — sticker on the driver's door frame, with tire and weight info.
- Documents — your vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Under the hood / engine bay — a stamped plate on some vehicles.
What an "open recall" means
A recall is opened when a manufacturer or NHTSA finds a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard. The repair (the "remedy") is free at a franchised dealer, with no expiry on most safety recalls. "Open" means the fix has not yet been done on your VIN. See the recall glossary for terms like campaign number, stop-sale and Park Outside.
After you check
- If a recall is open, call any franchised dealer for that brand and ask to schedule the free remedy by the campaign number.
- Read the Consequence — if it's a "Park Outside" or "Do Not Drive" recall, follow that guidance until repaired.
- Keep your address current with the manufacturer so future recall letters reach you.
Not sure what to do next? Read what to do when your car is recalled.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my car has an open recall by VIN?
Find your 17-character VIN (windshield base, driver door jamb, registration or insurance card), then enter it at NHTSA's recall lookup on nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA checks the manufacturer's records and tells you about any unrepaired (open) safety recall on that exact vehicle. The check is free and updates within a few days of a new recall.
Is the NHTSA VIN recall check free?
Yes. The NHTSA VIN lookup is a free US government service. It only shows safety recalls reported to NHTSA in the last roughly 15 years and that are still unrepaired; it does not show recalls a dealer has already completed, non-safety service campaigns, or international recalls.
What if my VIN shows no open recalls?
It means there is no unrepaired safety recall on file for that vehicle right now. Recalls can be issued at any time, so re-check periodically and make sure your address is current with the manufacturer so recall letters reach you.
Why won't this page show my recalls directly?
Recall status changes constantly and is tied to your exact VIN and repair history, which only the manufacturer and NHTSA hold. We send you straight to the official NHTSA lookup so you always get the authoritative, real-time answer rather than a stale copy.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20