Vehicle Recall Tracker
Check for open recalls on your vehicle by VIN, make, or model. NHTSA publishes recall data daily — vehicles with open recalls fail many state inspections, can’t be sold by dealers, and may pose safety risks.
Recall & TSB Awareness Check
Heuristic risk by age plus a direct deep link into the NHTSA database.
How It Works
NHTSA tracks every manufacturer recall in a public database. Enter a VIN to see all recalls (open or completed) for that specific vehicle. Recalls cover everything from airbag defects (Takata, the largest in history) to fuel-system fires, brake failures, and steering defects.
How to Use This Calculator
- Locate your 17-character VIN — driver-side dashboard at the windshield base, or the door jamb.
- Enter VIN at NHTSA.gov/Recalls or directly in the tool if VIN lookup is built-in.
- Review every open recall — record the recall number and description.
- Schedule recall repair at any authorized dealer — repairs are always free.
- Re-check every 6 months — new recalls are issued continuously.
Worked Example
Reference Table
High-volume open recalls across the US fleet. Always check your specific VIN at NHTSA — Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, and Stellantis all have active recalls not listed here.
| Common recall type | What it affects | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Takata airbag inflators | Most 2002–2018 vehicles | Immediate — fatal failures documented |
| Fuel pump failures | 2018–2021 Toyota/Honda | High — engine stalls at speed |
| Hyundai/Kia engine fires | 2011–2019 Theta II engines | Immediate — confirmed fire risk |
| Brake booster vacuum hose | Various 2014–2020 | Medium — extended stopping distance |
| Tesla suspension control arms | 2017–2020 Model S/X | High — sudden steering loss |
| Door latch failures | Ford 2014–2018 | Medium — door can open while driving |
| Power steering electric pump | GM 2010–2017 various | Medium — heavy steering at low speed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are recall repairs really free?
Yes — federal law requires manufacturers to repair recalled defects at no cost regardless of warranty status or vehicle age. The repair is free even on a 25-year-old car.
What’s the difference between a recall and a TSB?
A recall covers safety-related defects — mandatory free repair. A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) covers known issues that aren’t safety-related — repair only free during the warranty period.
Can I sell a car with an open recall?
Private-party: yes, but you must disclose. Dealers: no — federal law prohibits dealers from selling new cars with open recalls and most states extend this to used dealers.
How long do recalls remain open?
Indefinitely. There is no expiration. Vehicles from the 1990s with airbag or fuel-system recalls can still be repaired at any authorized dealer at zero cost.
What if my dealer refuses to do the recall?
Contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or file a complaint at NHTSA.gov. Dealers receive reimbursement from the manufacturer for every recall repair — they have no legitimate reason to refuse.
