Check car recalls — no VIN needed
Select your vehicle's year, make, and model to see every open NHTSA recall campaign, including do-not-drive and park-outside warnings. Results come live from the official NHTSA database.
Car recall FAQ
Can I check car recalls without a VIN?
Yes. This tool searches official NHTSA recall campaigns by year, make, and model — no VIN required. It shows every recall campaign that applies to that vehicle configuration.
What's the difference between this and a VIN check?
A year/make/model search shows all recall campaigns for that vehicle line. A VIN check on NHTSA.gov additionally tells you whether your specific car has already received the recall repair. Use this tool first, then verify by VIN if you find an open recall.
Are recall repairs free?
Yes. By federal law, safety recall repairs on vehicles up to 15 years old are performed free of charge by franchised dealers of that brand.
What does a 'Do Not Drive' or 'Park Outside' warning mean?
NHTSA flags some recalls with special warnings: 'Do Not Drive' means stop driving the vehicle until it's repaired; 'Park Outside' means the defect can cause a fire even while parked, so keep the vehicle away from buildings until fixed.
Also check this week's consumer product recalls — child seats, tires, and accessories are sometimes recalled through CPSC as well.