Recalls are the strongest safety signal NHTSA publishes, because they involve a confirmed defect and a required fix. This guide explains how to check whether a specific car has an open recall, and what to do about it.
01Check by VIN, not just by model
A recall applies to specific vehicles, identified by their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Two cars of the same year and model can have different recall status depending on whether a prior owner already had the repair done. To check one car:
- Find the 17-character VIN, usually on the lower driver-side windshield or the driver-door jamb.
- Enter it at the free NHTSA recall lookup: nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- The result shows any open recall that has not yet been completed on that exact vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer for the affected brand, regardless of who owns the car.
02Vehicle recalls versus equipment recalls
NHTSA records two kinds. A vehicle recall covers the car itself, such as an airbag, brake, or fuel-system defect. An equipment recall covers a part sold separately, such as an aftermarket child seat or tire. MotorCaliber counts vehicle recalls in a car's safety score and excludes equipment recalls, because equipment recalls are not tied to the vehicle as built.
03How often to check
Recalls can be filed at any time in a car's life. A recall issued in a given year can apply to a vehicle built several years earlier. It is worth re-checking your VIN once or twice a year, and always before buying a used car.
04Where model-level recall counts help
A per-model recall count, like the ones on every MotorCaliber scorecard, tells you how much recall activity a model year has seen overall. That is useful for comparing options while shopping. It does not replace a VIN check, which is the only way to confirm the status of one specific car. Browse any car's recall record starting from the recalls hub.