// NHTSA Recall Database

Free recall checker

Search the complete NHTSA recall database by make, model, and year. All recall repairs are free by federal law — find your nearest dealer and book your fix today.

Quick:

How vehicle recalls work

A safety recall is issued when a vehicle or vehicle component has a defect that poses an unreasonable safety risk. Here is the full process from recall issuance to free repair:

🏛️

NHTSA issues the recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration orders a recall when a safety defect is confirmed. Manufacturers can also issue voluntary recalls before NHTSA acts.

📬

Owners are notified

You should receive a mailed recall notice from the manufacturer. But many owners never receive it due to address changes — proactive checking is essential.

🔧

Dealer fixes it free

Take your vehicle to any franchised dealer for that brand. The repair is 100% free, no matter the vehicle's age, mileage, or number of previous owners.

⏱️

Recalls never expire

Federal safety recalls have no expiration date. Even a 15-year-old vehicle with an open recall is entitled to a free repair at any authorized dealer at any time.

What is a vehicle safety recall?

A vehicle safety recall is an official action taken when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, piece of equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable risk to safety or does not meet minimum safety standards. Recalls are governed by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which gives NHTSA the authority to compel manufacturers to fix defective vehicles at no cost to the owner.

Recalls are not the same as technical service bulletins (TSBs). A TSB is a manufacturer advisory about a known issue — it does not require a free repair. A recall does. If a shop tells you something is "just a TSB, not a recall," that means you may need to pay for the repair yourself — it is not covered under federal recall law.

Why millions of recalled vehicles are never repaired

At any given time, tens of millions of vehicles on US roads have open safety recalls that have never been addressed. The reasons are straightforward:

→

Recall notices go to old addresses

NHTSA sends recall notices to the address on file with the DMV. If you moved and did not update your registration, the notice never reaches you. Many used car buyers inherit vehicles with open recalls and never know it.

→

Owners don't recognize the urgency

Some recall notices are written in dry, technical language that doesn't convey how serious the defect actually is. The Takata airbag recall — which has caused deaths and serious injuries — went unaddressed by many owners for years.

→

Parts shortages delay repairs

Manufacturers sometimes issue recalls before replacement parts are available. Owners are told to wait for a dealer notification when parts arrive — and some never follow up. The Takata recall is the extreme example: parts shortages persisted for over a decade.

→

Used car buyers are unaware

When a vehicle changes hands privately, there is no automatic notification to the new owner about open recalls. A used car can have multiple open recalls that neither the buyer nor seller knew about.

⚠️ Ongoing: Takata Airbag Recall

The Takata airbag recall is the largest automotive recall in US history, affecting tens of millions of vehicles across dozens of manufacturers. Defective airbag inflators can rupture violently and send metal fragments into the passenger compartment. NHTSA has issued "Do Not Drive" orders for the most dangerous vehicles in this recall. If you have not checked your VIN against the Takata recall list, do it now — this defect has caused deaths and serious injuries across multiple vehicle brands.

What to do when you find an open recall

Finding an open recall on your vehicle requires action. Here is the correct sequence:

Note the recall campaign number

Each recall has a unique campaign number (e.g., 26V254). Write it down — you will need it when calling the dealer.

Read the risk description

Understand what the defect is and how serious it is. Some recalls require immediate action ('Do Not Drive'). Others are lower urgency and can be scheduled at your convenience.

Contact your nearest authorized dealer

Call the service department and give them your VIN and the recall campaign number. Ask whether parts are in stock. If parts are backordered, ask to be added to the waitlist and request a callback when available.

Ask about a loaner vehicle

For serious safety recalls, many manufacturers provide free loaner vehicles while yours is being repaired. Ask specifically — dealers don't always volunteer this information.

Get written confirmation

After the repair, ask for written documentation that the recall was completed. Keep this in your vehicle records — it may affect resale value and proves the repair was done.

Your rights under federal recall law

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives you specific rights as a vehicle owner when a safety recall is issued:

✓Free repair — dealers must fix recall-related defects at no charge, regardless of vehicle age, mileage, or warranty status.

✓No refusal — a dealer cannot refuse to perform a recall repair. If a dealer refuses, contact NHTSA directly at 1-888-327-4236.

✓Reimbursement — if you paid for a repair that is later covered by a recall, you may be entitled to reimbursement. Contact the manufacturer directly with your repair receipts.

✓Rental reimbursement — some recall programs include reimbursement for rental car costs if the repair takes longer than one day. Check the specific recall campaign terms.

Frequently asked questions

How often is the recall database updated?

MyOBDCode queries the NHTSA recall database in real time when you perform a search. NHTSA itself updates its database as new recalls are announced — typically several times per week. There is no delay in our data.

Can I check a recall by VIN instead of make and model?

Yes — and VIN-based lookup is actually more accurate. A recall might affect only vehicles built during a specific date range or at a specific plant. Use our VIN decoder at myobdcode.com/vin-lookup to check recalls tied to your exact vehicle rather than your model year in general.

What if my vehicle has a recall but the dealer says parts aren't available?

Ask to be added to the dealer's waitlist and request a written or email confirmation. Ask when parts are expected to arrive. For serious safety risks, ask the manufacturer directly about interim remedies — in some cases they provide interim repairs or restrictions while awaiting the final fix.

Does a recall affect my car's resale value?

An open, unrepaired recall can reduce resale value because buyers are wary of the liability. A completed recall — with documentation — typically does not negatively affect value and may actually reassure buyers that the issue was properly addressed.

Can I still drive my car if it has an open recall?

It depends on the severity. Most recalls allow continued driving while you wait for the repair appointment. However, some recalls carry NHTSA 'Do Not Drive' orders for the most dangerous defects — in those cases, arrange a tow to the dealer rather than driving. Always read the risk description for any recall you find.

Do recalls cover used cars?

Yes. Federal recall law covers all affected vehicles regardless of age, ownership history, or warranty status. Whether you are the original owner or the fifth owner, you are entitled to a free recall repair at any authorized dealer for that brand.