What to Do When Your Car Is Recalled

Manufacturers send recall notices to owners identified through available registration records. A notice should describe the defect, potential consequences, remedy, and contact information, but it may not reach a recent buyer or an owner whose address has changed.

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. Use NHTSA's official VIN lookup for exact open-recall status; our VIN decoder provides supplemental model-year recall history.

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.

• Visit NHTSA.gov for the official VIN-specific open-recall database
• Use our VIN decoder to identify the vehicle and review its model-year campaign history
• 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 remedy. You generally do not have to use the dealership where you purchased the vehicle. Federal no-charge remedy rules have eligibility limits and exceptions, so confirm coverage for your VIN with the manufacturer or dealer.

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
• Ask whether alternative transportation is available, who provides it, and whether any cost is covered

Bring your vehicle to the dealership at the scheduled time. Repair duration varies by remedy, parts availability, and dealer scheduling; confirm the expected timing when you book.

After the repair:

• Get a written confirmation that the recall repair was completed
• Keep the paperwork with your vehicle records
• Verify completion using NHTSA's official VIN lookup or your manufacturer's recall portal

If you paid for a repair before a recall was issued for the same defect, the manufacturer's reimbursement plan may cover the expense. Eligibility, dates, documentation, and exclusions vary by campaign.

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

Do not ignore an official recall notice. Follow any urgent NHTSA or manufacturer instruction, confirm the VIN-specific status, and ask an authorized dealer about the remedy and parts availability.

If you're buying a used car, use NHTSA's official VIN lookup before purchasing and ask the seller for documentation of completed remedies.