Campaign number
The NHTSA campaign ID, such as 18V332000, so a dealer can look up the exact recall and its fix.
Free safety recall lookup · No account needed
Recall information comes from NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle safety agency.
Check recalls by VIN.
Enter a 17-character VIN to check available safety recall information for the vehicle's year, make and model: what's affected, the risk, and how the manufacturer will fix it.
Free recall checkResults in secondsPublic NHTSA recall records
Recall information comes from NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle safety agency.Your recall results will appear here
Enter a VIN above, or try the sample VIN to see how a recall check works.
Recall data source
- Vehicle safety standards
- Safety regulations
- Safety recalls
About NHTSA
Recall information from the source.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the U.S. agency responsible for vehicle safety standards, regulations, and safety recalls. NHTSA works with vehicle manufacturers to identify and address safety issues that may affect vehicles on the road.
Use HistoryByVIN's Vehicle Recall Check to review available safety recall information for your vehicle and better understand potential recall issues associated with its year, make, and model.
Check recalls by VIN →HistoryByVIN is an independent company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation. The NHTSA name and logo identify the source of public recall information. You can also search recalls directly at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What you'll see
Every recall, explained clearly.
Each result shows the details a buyer or owner needs to act on it.
Component affected
The part or system involved: air bags, brakes, fuel system, steering, seat belts, electrical and more.
Defect and risk
What can go wrong, in NHTSA's summary, and how it could affect safety on the road.
The remedy
How the manufacturer will fix it: a repair, a replacement part or a software update, usually at a dealer.
Date and manufacturer
When the recall was reported to NHTSA and which company issued it.
Confirming one vehicle
Recalls here are listed for the year, make and model. NHTSA's VIN search or a franchised dealer can confirm whether a specific car still needs the repair.
How it works
Three steps to a safer car.
Enter the VIN
Type or paste the 17-character VIN from the dashboard, the door jamb or the listing.
Review the recalls
See each safety recall reported for the vehicle's year, make and model, with the component, the risk and the manufacturer's remedy.
Get it fixed
Call a franchised dealer for the brand with the VIN to confirm the recall applies and book the repair.
Buying used?
Recalls follow the car, not the owner.
A private seller may not know about a recall, and a used car can change hands several times before anyone gets the fix. Checking the VIN before you buy takes seconds.
Run a full VIN check →- Ask before you pay
If a recall is listed for the model, ask the seller whether it was repaired, or have a dealer check the VIN.
- Repairs are generally free
Safety recall remedies are usually done at no cost by a franchised dealer for the brand.
- Check again later
New recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN again after you buy.
- See the whole history
Recalls are one part of the story. A full report adds title, accident, odometer and ownership records.
FAQ
Recall check questions.
What a recall means and what to do next.
Still have questions?Our support team is here to help.
Contact usIs the recall check free?
Yes. Checking a VIN for safety recalls on HistoryByVIN is free, and you don't need an account to do it.
Does this show whether my exact car was repaired?
No. The NHTSA recall data used here is listed by year, make and model, so it shows the recalls reported for that line of vehicles. Whether a particular vehicle still needs a repair can be confirmed with NHTSA's VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a franchised dealer for the brand.
Who pays for a recall repair?
Safety recall remedies are generally provided free of charge by the manufacturer through its franchised dealers. Call a dealer for the brand, give them the VIN, and ask them to confirm the recall and book the repair.
Do recalls stay with the car when it's sold?
Yes. A recall is tied to the vehicle, not to the owner, so an unrepaired recall is passed on to every new owner until the fix is done.
Does a recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?
Not always, but it should be taken seriously. Read the risk described in the recall, follow any instructions from the manufacturer or NHTSA, and get the remedy done as soon as you can.
Why might a recall not show up?
New campaigns are added as manufacturers report them, and recalls are matched by year, make and model as NHTSA lists them, so some vehicles may have limited records. If you're unsure, a franchised dealer can check the VIN against the manufacturer's own system.