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Recalls Watch

Vehicle recalls by make, model and year

Any car, truck or SUV sold in the US. The list is read from NHTSA when you search and shown in the agency’s words, with a plain statement of what it cannot tell you about your own car.

Common models, collected every day

These pages are built ahead of time from the same NHTSA data, so they open at once and can be linked. Each one shows when it was collected.

From the defect to the free repair

A vehicle safety recall has a fixed path. The manufacturer, on its own or pushed by an NHTSA investigation, decides that a defect affects safety. It files a report with NHTSA within five working days, and NHTSA publishes it as a campaign with a number. The manufacturer then has to notify registered owners by first-class mail, normally within 60 days, and offer the repair at no cost.

Two things often surprise owners. First, the campaign can be public long before the letter arrives, because the letter waits for parts. Second, the letter goes to the address on the registration, so people who moved or bought the car used may never receive it. That is why looking a vehicle up is worth the two minutes.

What the three NHTSA texts mean

Summary says which vehicles are covered and what is wrong. Consequence says what can happen, in one or two sentences: this is the hazard. Remedy says what the dealer will do and when owner letters are expected. The remedy text can say that parts are not yet available; in that case an interim letter is sent and a second one follows.

After you find a campaign

Take the campaign number to the VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls or to a dealer of the brand. If the recall is open for your vehicle, book the repair; you do not need the letter. If you already paid for a repair that a later recall covers, manufacturers have a reimbursement procedure described in the owner letter.

Questions and answers

Where does the vehicle recall list come from?

From the recall API of NHTSA, the US vehicle safety agency. When you press “Check recalls” your browser asks NHTSA for the campaigns of that make, model and model year and shows the answer with the hazard and remedy text as NHTSA published it.

Does a recall on the list mean my car is affected?

Not always. A campaign is filed for a make, model and year but frequently covers only some production dates, plants or options. The list tells you which campaigns exist for the model. Only a VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls or at a dealer tells whether your own vehicle is included and still unrepaired.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by the dealers of the manufacturer, whether or not you are the first owner. The legal duty to repair for free covers vehicles up to 15 years old when the defect is determined; for older vehicles, ask the dealer.

What do “do not drive” and “park outside” mean?

They are advisories NHTSA attaches to some campaigns. “Do not drive” means the vehicle should not be driven until it is repaired. “Park outside” means there is a fire risk even when the vehicle is off, so it should be kept away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair.

Why does the lookup show nothing for my vehicle?

Either NHTSA has no safety recall campaign for that make, model and year, or the name does not match the way NHTSA spells it. Pick the make and model from the suggestions, which come from NHTSA for the chosen year. The lookup covers vehicles only, not tires, child seats or accessories.

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