Plain-English reference
Recall guides
Short, factual walkthroughs of how the vehicle recall system works in the U.S., what your rights are, and what to do if your car has an open campaign. Written in plain English, not legalese.
Primer· 6 min
How vehicle recalls actually work
What triggers a recall, who pays for the repair, and why so many open campaigns linger for years on the road.
Read guide
Rights· 7 min
Your rights when a vehicle is recalled
Free repairs, any authorized dealer, loaners, refunds, and the right to be notified. Here's what federal law actually guarantees you.
Read guide
Methodology· 5 min
RecallScanner vs NHTSA: why use both
NHTSA is the source of truth. We're the severity layer and the fast front door. Here's when to use which.
Read guide
Action· 6 min
What to do if your car has an open recall
A five-step playbook from reading the campaign text to calling the dealer to handling Do-Not-Drive notices.
Read guide
Got a specific vehicle in mind?
Skip the reading and check your VIN.
Our VIN lookup hits NHTSA's live API and gives you a severity-scored verdict in seconds.
Go to VIN checker