How to check for recalls on your car
By Tagwell Auto · Last updated October 9, 2026
The short answer: go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and type your 17-character VIN. It shows safety recalls that haven't been repaired on your exact vehicle. The repair is free at any dealer for that make.
Find your VIN
- On the driver's side of the dashboard, read through the windshield from outside
- On a sticker in the driver's door jamb
- On your registration and your insurance card
A VIN has 17 characters and never uses the letters I, O or Q.
Check it
- Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA is the US highway safety agency.
- Type the VIN.
- Read each open recall: what's wrong, what could happen, and the fix.
- Call a dealer for your make and book the repair. You don't need to have bought the car there.
Good to know
- Recall repairs cost nothing, however old the car is and whoever owns it now
- If a notice says not to drive the car, or to park it outside, take that seriously and call the dealer
- Parts are sometimes not ready yet. Ask the dealer to put you on the list
- Recall letters go to the registered owner. If you moved or bought used, you may never get one
- Tires, child car seats and trailers have recalls too
Buying a used car
Check the VIN before you pay. A private seller doesn't have to fix open recalls first. Ask for the repair paperwork, or check the VIN yourself.
Check more than once
New recalls are announced all the time. A car with none today can have one next month. Check a few times a year.
General guidance. Typical intervals, and your owner's manual wins. If a red warning light is on or the car drives differently, stop safely and get help.
Related: Check for recalls now · Safety and recalls in Tagwell Auto
Track this automatically in Tagwell Auto
Tagwell Auto checks NHTSA for your make, model and year when you add a vehicle, and again every week. It's free in every version. It lists every recall for that model, so some may not apply to your exact car: the app says so, and a dealer or nhtsa.gov can confirm with your VIN.
Questions
Are recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free by dealers for that make, regardless of the car's age or who owns it.
Where do I check for recalls?
At nhtsa.gov/recalls, with your 17-character VIN. A dealer can also check for you.
Will I be told about a recall on a used car?
Not always. Notices go to the registered owner on file, so check the VIN yourself when you buy and a few times a year after.