Best Way to Check for Vehicle Recalls

When automakers discover a safety defect in their vehicle, they typically issue a recall to rectify the problem. This is an essential and expensive business venture for automakers.

They strive to reach owners of affected vehicles. Unfortunately, if a car has been sold since the recall was issued, they may need help to contact the current owner.

Visit the NHTSA Website

On the NHTSA Website, you can enter your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into their system to check if there are any open safety recalls. You can also filter by manufacturer and vehicle component to see if any recall campaigns cover you.

NHTSA is a federal agency dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries in motor vehicle crashes through education, research, standards-setting, and enforcement activity. Its regional offices carry out these goals within their assigned regions.

If you own a vehicle, your automaker must notify you via first-class mail of any recalls that could affect it. These notices must outline any potential safety hazards and indicate when and how the issue can be rectified.

Check the Manufacturer’s Website

If you own a vehicle, you can check its recall history to see if it has been repaired or replaced for safety defects. The NHTSA maintains a website and also offers apps for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay so that owners can stay up to date on current recalls.

You can check if a manufacturer has issued a product or vehicle recall by looking up your vehicle’s VIN. Usually, they’ll notify you via first-class mail and explain any safety issues related to the recall.

A manufacturing website showcases a company’s capabilities, from technical resources and customer testimonials to product demonstration videos and other related materials. They often include ways for visitors to contact the company and an e-commerce system where they can purchase items directly.

Download the NHTSA’s SaferCar App

NHTSA has launched an app that automatically sends recall alerts when automakers issue them. This should reduce the number of unrepaired vehicles, placing you and others on the road at risk.

SaferCar is a free, downloadable app that allows you to input information about all your vehicles and items related to them- from car seats to trailers- and then receive notifications when something in your “virtual garage” needs recalling. Available for both Android and iOS devices, you can install it here. 

The app checks your VIN and other data daily for recalls. NHTSA states that user data is only stored locally on your device, which should reduce privacy concerns.

NHTSA is also providing an API that will give developers more freedom to access this data in a user-friendly fashion, in line with the Obama Administration’s commitment to open data and protecting your privacy.

Call Your Dealer

If you need more clarification about a recall on your vehicle, contact your dealer and request they check it for you. They should be able to determine if there is an active recall using the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) found at the lower left corner of your windshield, registration card, and insurance ID card.

Once you’ve called your dealer, inform them of the recall and request an immediate repair. Doing this will allow the dealership to get ahead of the repair and save you from waiting weeks for replacement parts.

Once the repair is complete, your dealer will have you back up and running quickly. Many dealerships provide shuttle services to help customers manage the inconvenience of having their vehicle out of commission for a while.