Free Car Recall check
Your Safety Starts With a Simple Recall Check
Find out if your vehicle has any open safety recalls. Enter your VIN to check for manufacturer-issued recalls that may require attention. Our free car recall check lets you search by year, make, and model or enter your 17-character VIN, and the results show any active recalls on record for your vehicle.
Open Recall Check
What Is a Vehicle Recall
A vehicle recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA identifies a safety-related defect or a failure to meet federal safety standards. Recall repairs are generally performed free of charge to the vehicle owner through an authorized dealership. Automobile recalls are sometimes called safety recalls, and a recall that has not yet been repaired on your vehicle is known as an open recall or an active recall.
Auto recalls can involve parts that affect how your vehicle brakes, steers, or protects you in a crash, and notices do not always reach the owner, especially after a move or a used vehicle purchase.
How Our Recall Lookup Tool Works
1. Check Your VIN
Enter your vehicle identification number to search for open safety recalls. If you do not have your VIN handy, you can search by year, make, and model instead, although a search for recalls by VIN is the most exact way to check the specific vehicle in your driveway.
2. Review the Results
Find out if your vehicle has any outstanding manufacturer-issued safety recalls. Each result lists the affected component, a description of the recall, the potential safety risk, and the recommended action, so you know exactly what the manufacturer is asking you to do.
3. Take Action
If a recall is found, contact your manufacturer's authorized dealership for instructions and repair arrangements. Our shop can only help you make sense of the recall details and answer your questions.
Where Can I Find My VIN
Your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), made up of numbers and letters, is typically located on your driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield. You can also find it on your vehicle registration or insurance documents, and on the sticker inside the driver's side door jamb.
Vehicle Recall FAQ
What does a vehicle recall mean for me?
A vehicle recall means the manufacturer has determined that a safety issue exists in a group of vehicles that includes yours, and that an official fix is available or being developed. It does not automatically mean your vehicle is unsafe to drive today, but it does mean the issue deserves attention as soon as the remedy is ready.
Are recall repairs free?
Generally, yes. Recall repairs are typically free of charge when your vehicle and the specific recall meet the manufacturer’s eligibility requirements, and the manufacturer covers the parts and labor. Coverage can depend on the vehicle’s age, the specific recall, and the manufacturer’s policies, so ask an authorized dealership to confirm that your vehicle is covered, especially if it is an older model.
Can I drive my car if it has an open recall?
It depends on the nature of the recall. Some issues may require immediate attention, while others may involve instructions to stop driving the vehicle until the problem is resolved. Read the recall details carefully for the recommended action, and when in doubt, call an authorized dealership before you drive any further. We’d be glad to help you understand what a recall notice is asking you to do.
Can any repair shop fix a recall?
Official recall repairs are generally performed free of charge at manufacturer-authorized dealerships or service centers. Because the manufacturer reimburses authorized dealerships for recall work, an independent shop is not usually able to complete a free recall repair.
Do vehicle recalls expire?
Safety recalls themselves do not expire, so an open recall stays on your vehicle’s record until it is repaired. What can change with age is whether the manufacturer is required to cover the repair, since coverage rules depend on your country, the vehicle’s age, and the type of part. Some manufacturers go beyond the minimum, so it is worth asking a dealership about an older vehicle.
How often should I check for recalls?
It's a good idea to check periodically, such as every 6 months, as manufacturers may announce new safety recalls at any time. Many owners find it helpful to run a quick recall check a couple of times a year, and again when they buy a used vehicle, get ready for a long road trip, or bring their vehicle in for routine service.
Contact Us with More Questions About Auto Recalls
At our auto shop, we can help you understand what a recall notice means for your vehicle. If your recall check turns up an open recall, or if you simply have questions about how your vehicle has been running, give us a call or visit our team.