Free VIN recall and problem check
See the recalls issued for a car's model and year, the problems owners report most to NHTSA, and warranty extensions from our guides that may still apply.
Questions
Is this recall check free?
Yes. It uses the US government's public NHTSA data. There's no sign-up, and the VIN isn't stored.
Does it show whether this exact car's recall was fixed?
No. It lists the recalls issued for the model and year. To see whether this specific car is included and whether the repair was done, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a dealer.
Does it work for Canadian cars?
Most cars sold in Canada decode, and the US recall and complaint data is a useful guide, but Canadian recalls can differ. Also check Transport Canada's recall database or a dealer.
What do owner complaints mean?
They're reports owners filed with NHTSA. They aren't confirmed defects, but they show what to pay attention to on the test drive and inspection.
Data sources
- vPIC VIN decoder (NHTSA)
- Recalls and complaints data (NHTSA)
- Our warranty extension tracker and model guides, each with its own sources
Not affiliated with NHTSA or Transport Canada. General information, not legal or mechanical advice.