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Your car can have an open safety recall and you may never hear about it. Notices go to old addresses, and used cars change hands. Checking for car recalls takes about a minute and costs nothing.
Car Recalls: How to Check Yours by VIN
How do you check for car recalls?
Start with the 17-character vehicle identification number, or VIN. You can find it on the driver-side dashboard near the windshield, on the sticker inside the driver door, and on your registration or insurance card. Type it into the NHTSA recall lookup. The tool shows whether the car has a safety recall that has not been repaired. It covers recalls from the past 15 calendar years.
What does a recall repair cost?
Nothing. The maker pays for the repair, and a franchised dealer does the work. Call the service department, give the VIN, and ask whether the parts are in stock. If they are not, ask the dealer to put you on a list and to call when they arrive. NHTSA runs a vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for questions.
Can a dealer sell a used car with an open recall?
Yes. The FTC says in a 2016 statement that federal law does not prohibit dealers from selling used cars with open recalls. New cars are different, because the law requires them to be free from recalls. Before you buy a used car, run the VIN yourself and ask for the repair in writing.
Is a recall notice ever a scam?
It can be. A real notice comes by mail from the maker and never asks you to pay. If a text or email asks for a card number, skip it and look up the VIN on the NHTSA site instead. Our guide to spotting a scam text lists the warning signs.
Editor’s Take
Most people look up car recalls only after something goes wrong. Make it a habit instead. Check the VIN when you buy a car, once each fall, and again when a notice arrives. It is the cheapest safety step a driver can take.
