Free vehicle recall lookup

Recall check by VIN from NHTSA's recall data

Enter a VIN, or a year, make and model, to list NHTSA's safety recalls for that vehicle line with the component, the risk and the remedy, newest first. Then confirm open status by VIN with NHTSA.

Free, no sign-upYour VIN is sent to NHTSA's public APIsNothing is saved

When you search, the VIN goes to NHTSA's vPIC decoder and the year, make and model go to NHTSA's recalls API. Nothing else is sent, and we don't store it.

This list is by year, make and model, so these recalls may apply. To see whether one vehicle has an unrepaired recall, search its VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup: nhtsa.gov/recalls

In short

This tool decodes the VIN with NHTSA's vPIC API, then lists every NHTSA safety recall for that year, make and model, with the component, risk and remedy. It does not show whether this exact vehicle's recall is still open: for that, enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the maker's site.

How it works

How to use the Recall Check by VIN

1

Enter the VIN

Or switch to year, make and model. The VIN is decoded with NHTSA's vPIC first.

2

Read the recalls

Every NHTSA recall for that year, make and model, newest first, with park-it and park-outside warnings.

3

Confirm by VIN

Check open status for that exact vehicle on NHTSA's VIN search or with the maker's dealer.

What it does

What the recall check by vin works out

VIN or year, make, model

Decode the VIN, or type the vehicle in yourself.

Full recall detail

Campaign number, date, component, summary, risk and remedy.

Do-not-drive flags

Park it, park outside and over-the-air remedies are labelled.

Model-name help

If nothing matches, pick from NHTSA's own model names for that year and make.

Copy for the RO

A plain-text list of campaign numbers and components to paste into notes.

What it shows
NHTSA recalls for a model year, make and model (they may apply)
What it doesn't show
Whether one VIN's recall is open or repaired: use NHTSA's VIN search
Data
NHTSA vPIC (VIN decode) and NHTSA recalls API
Sent
The VIN to vPIC; year, make and model to the recalls API; nothing stored by us
FAQ

Questions about the recall check by vin

Does this tell me if a car has an open recall?
No. It lists the recalls NHTSA has for that year, make and model, and not every vehicle of that model is included in every recall. To see unrepaired recalls for one vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or on the maker's site.
Where does the recall data come from?
NHTSA's public recalls API, the same data behind NHTSA's year, make and model search. The VIN is decoded with NHTSA's vPIC database first.
Why does it find no recalls?
Either there are none, or NHTSA files the model under a different name (F-150 SUPERCAB rather than F-150, say). When nothing matches, the tool offers NHTSA's model names for that year and make.
What do park it and park outside mean?
They're NHTSA flags on the most serious recalls. Park it: don't drive the vehicle until it's repaired. Park outside: park away from buildings because of a fire risk.
Who pays for recall repairs?
Safety recall repairs are generally free at the maker's dealers. Independent shops can tell the customer and refer them, which builds trust even when you don't do the repair.
Does NHTSA's VIN search show every recall?
NHTSA says its VIN search doesn't show recalls already repaired, some very recent ones, recalls older than 15 years (unless the maker covers them) or recalls from some small manufacturers.
Keep going

Guides and features for this

Open safety recalls on a repair orderHelp centerHow to check open recalls at your shopGuideFree VIN decoderBayRobinDigital vehicle inspection guideGuideInspections, estimates and invoicesBayRobinAll guides on running an auto repair shopTopic guides
Sources

Where the formulas and rules come from

Checked October 2026. Recall data comes from NHTSA. A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of that model.

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