What to Do When Your Car Is Recalled

Manufacturers are required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to notify vehicle owners of recalls by first-class mail. These letters typically arrive within 60 days of the recall being issued and include a description of the defect, the potential risks, and instructions for getting the repair.

However, mail notifications are not always timely, especially if you've moved or purchased a used vehicle. That's why proactively checking your vehicle is important. You can check your VIN for open recalls at any time using our free tool, or visit NHTSA's website directly.

When you receive a recall notice — or suspect your vehicle may be affected — the first step is to verify the recall using your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your VIN is located on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield) and on your vehicle registration.

• Use our VIN Check tool to instantly see all open recalls for your vehicle
• Visit NHTSA.gov for the official government database
• Contact your dealership — any authorized dealer can run your VIN
• Check your manufacturer's website — most have dedicated recall lookup pages

Make note of the recall campaign number, which you'll need when scheduling your repair.

Not all recalls carry the same level of urgency. Some involve minor issues like incorrect labels, while others address life-threatening defects such as the Takata airbag recall, where defective inflators could send metal shrapnel into the cabin.

Read the recall notice carefully to understand:

• What the defect is and which component is affected
• What could happen if the defect is not repaired (e.g., fire risk, loss of steering)
• Whether you should stop driving the vehicle until it is repaired
• Any interim safety measures you can take

In rare but serious cases — such as certain Takata airbag recalls — NHTSA may issue a "Do Not Drive" advisory. If your vehicle is under such an advisory, do not operate it until the recall repair is completed.

Contact an authorized dealership for your vehicle's make to schedule the recall repair. You do not have to use the dealership where you purchased the vehicle — any authorized dealer can perform recall repairs. Under federal law, recall repairs are always free of charge, regardless of your vehicle's age or mileage.

When calling the dealership:

• Provide the recall campaign number from your notice
• Ask whether the repair parts are available (sometimes there are parts shortages)
• Ask how long the repair will take
• Inquire about a loaner vehicle or rental car reimbursement

Bring your vehicle to the dealership at the scheduled time. Most recall repairs take between one and four hours, though complex repairs may require leaving your vehicle overnight or longer.

After the repair:

• Get a written confirmation that the recall repair was completed
• Keep the paperwork with your vehicle records
• Verify the repair by running your VIN through our recall check tool — the recall should show as completed

If you paid for a repair before a recall was issued for the same defect, you may be entitled to reimbursement. Manufacturers are required to reimburse owners for repairs that address the recalled defect, provided the repair was performed within a reasonable time before the recall.

To request reimbursement:

• Gather your repair receipts and documentation
• Contact the manufacturer's customer service department
• Submit a reimbursement claim (most manufacturers have a formal process)
• If the manufacturer denies your claim, you can file a complaint with NHTSA

There is no legal requirement for vehicle owners to get recall repairs done, but ignoring a recall is strongly discouraged. Unrepaired recalls can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Additionally, unresolved recalls can affect your vehicle's resale value and may complicate insurance claims if a crash is related to the recalled defect.

If you're buying a used car, always check for open recalls before purchasing. Dealers in most states are not required to fix open recalls on used vehicles before selling them.