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Powered by live NHTSA data · updated daily

Is your car safe to drive?

Check any 17-character VIN against the official NHTSA recall database and get a plain-English safety verdict in seconds. Free, unlimited, no signup.

Start typing. We'll decode your VIN as you go.
Your VIN lives on the driver-side dashboard, the door jamb, or your registration card. We don't store it.
Official NHTSA dataNo tracking, no signupRefreshed dailySeverity-scored verdicts

How it works

01

Paste your VIN

17 characters from your windshield, door jamb, or registration. We decode it live as you type.

02

We run NHTSA

We query the official recall API and score every open campaign for severity, fire risk, and crash risk.

03

See the verdict

A one-screen safety card tells you if your car is clear, should be watched, or needs action right now.

Browse recalls by brand

All brands
AcuraAudiBMWBuickCadillacChevroletChryslerDodgeFordGenesisGMCHondaHyundaiInfinitiJaguarJeepKiaLand RoverLexusLincolnMazdaMercedes-BenzMiniMitsubishiNissanPorscheRamSubaruTeslaToyotaVolkswagenVolvo
1,000+
Active recall campaigns tracked
29M+
Vehicles recalled in 2025
100%
Free. Recalls are fixed at no cost

The essentials

All guides
Primer· 6 min

How vehicle recalls actually work

What triggers a recall, who pays, and why so many open campaigns linger for years.

Read guide
Rights· 7 min

Your rights when a vehicle is recalled

Free repairs, any authorized dealer, loaners, and what federal law actually guarantees you.

Read guide
Methodology· 5 min

RecallScanner vs NHTSA

NHTSA is the source of truth. We're the severity layer. Here's when to use which.

Read guide
Action· 6 min

What to do if you have an open recall

A five-step playbook from reading the campaign text to handling Do-Not-Drive notices.

Read guide

Frequently Asked Questions

›Where do I find my VIN?
Your 17-character VIN is on your vehicle registration, insurance card, the lower-left corner of the windshield (visible from outside), or on a sticker inside the driver's-side door jamb.
›How much does a recall repair cost?
Nothing. By law, manufacturers must repair recalled vehicles for free, regardless of whether you're the original owner or the vehicle is out of warranty.
›Do recalls expire?
No. There is no statute of limitations on a recall remedy for passenger vehicles. A campaign from a decade ago is still redeemable today if nobody ever brought the car in.
›Can any dealer do a recall repair?
Yes. Any dealer authorized to service your vehicle's brand can perform the recall repair and file for reimbursement from the manufacturer. You don't need to go back to where you bought the car.
›Where does RecallScanner get its data?
All recall data comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the official U.S. government agency responsible for vehicle safety. Our database is refreshed daily.