National Vehicle Safety Recalls week is March 2nd through the 8th here in the United States, raising awareness of the importance of checking for open recalls on our vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) organizes the campaign, which coincides with the spring-cleaning season, but it’s good practice to check for recalls on your car year-round.
According to NHTSA data, there were 1,073 safety recalls affecting over 35 million vehicles in 2024. Here is how you can check for open recalls on your vehicle. You can do this at home and on your phone. It only takes a moment and does not require a trip to the dealership.
NHTSA website and database
Just your VIN number
The best way to find pending recalls for your vehicle is to visit the free database maintained by NHTSA. Simply enter your VIN number on that website to see everything specific to your vehicle to date. Your VIN number (17 characters) is easily accessed in one of three places: near the lower portion of your windshield and dashboard on the driver’s side, on your registration card, or on your insurance card.
You can also input your license plate number into the NHTSA database as well.
While the NHTSA site clarifies that some newly announced recalls may not appear right away, automakers are mandated by law to report any safety defects and recalls. As such, NHTSA encourages vehicle owners to check back if they are concerned about ongoing recalls.
SaferCar app
If you don’t want to check the database on a regular basis or are worried you might forget, you can download the free SaferCar app for iOS and Android devices. It’s an official NHTSA app that will notify you of a safety recall when it’s issued. Like the online database, you can also enter your VIN into the app to see if there are any recalls pending for your vehicle.
Handy when car shopping
The NHTSA database and SaferCar app are good resources if you are shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, as you can enter a year, make, and model to see a list of recalls, investigations, and complaints. Similarly, if you are looking for a new car seat or a set of tires, the NHTSA database allows you search recalls by brand name.
How to file a report
Through the NHTSA website, you can file a report if you believe you have experienced a safety-related defect, issue, or problem with your vehicle, a car seat, or a set of tires. There are several ways to submit a report, including an online form or through a hotline. If others are reporting the same or similar concerns as you, it can prompt a larger safety recall.
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Check To Protect Coalition
Closes the “knowledge gap” for consumers
The National Safety Council (NSC) maintains a website with functionality similar to the NHTSA database. It’s part of the NSC’s greater effort, the Check To Protect Coalition, which includes campaign partners such as BMW, Toyota, and the Big Three, among others. A number of state governments and national organizations, from the U.S. armed forces to NASCAR, also support the measure.
Through the Check To Protect website, you can enter your VIN or license plate number to see open recalls for your vehicle. The website also has a comprehensive FAQ section about safety recalls.
When Check To Protect was launched in 2017, NSC representatives said the goal was to close the knowledge gap for consumers about recalls and to make roads safer.
What to do if your vehicle has a recall
The process is straightforward and free
If you find your vehicle has an open recall, contact the dealership and schedule an appointment. All safety recalls, including replacement parts and labor, are free by law. It does not matter if your vehicle is out of factory warranty, as safety recalls are a separate category altogether. The dealership will receive its service fees from the automaker, not you as the consumer.
Along those same lines, the vehicle does not need to be registered in your name either. For example, if you are looking after an elderly grandparent or neighbor, you can take their car into the dealership on their behalf.
While it doesn’t always happen, service advisors should check for open recalls on your vehicle when it’s at the dealership for routine maintenance. In some cases, they can do the recall work that day, saving you an extra trip. If you have an upcoming oil change appointment, you can always ask the dealership to check for open recalls.
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Do you actually need to have a safety recall done
The dangers might be hidden
Even if your vehicle appears to be running fine, it’s still imperative to address a safety recall. One of the best examples is the Takata airbag recall, which affected close to 20 automakers.
According to Consumer Reports, the recall has covered 67 million airbags from more than 42 million vehicles, although there are likely many more vehicle owners still at risk. Upon deployment, the airbag’s metal fragments can be ejected through the interior.
In a case like this, everything about the car will appear normal. It’s important to address safety recalls as soon as possible, as the danger may not present itself until it’s too late.
Open Safety Recall Checklist
- Locate Your VIN: The 17-character Vehicle Identification Number is located on the lower driver’s side dashboard/windshield, your vehicle registration, or your insurance card.
- Visit an Official Database: Go to the NHTSA website or the Check To Protect database maintained by the National Safety Council. Both allow you to enter your VIN or license plate to see any open recalls specific to your vehicle.
- Download the SaferCar App: For a “set it and forget it” approach, use the SaferCar app for iOS and Android devices. It’s an official NHTSA tool that will automatically notify you via your phone whenever a new safety recall is issued for your vehicle.
- Schedule Your Free Repair: When an open recall appears, contact your local dealership immediately to schedule an appointment. All safety recall repairs are 100% free by law. This applies even if your vehicle is out of warranty, or you weren’t the original buyer.
