How to check a car for open safety recalls (free)
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finds a defect that poses a safety risk. Recall repairs are always free at a franchised dealer — there is no time limit on most safety recalls.
To check any car for open recalls:
- Find the 17-character VIN (windshield base on the driver's side, door-jamb sticker, title or registration).
- Enter it on CarLogs — we check it against official NHTSA recall data instantly, free.
- If an open recall is listed, contact any franchised dealer for that brand and book the free repair.
Buying used? Always check for open recalls before you buy — an unrepaired recall is a bargaining point, and some are serious (airbags, brakes, fuel systems). CarLogs also shows the most-reported owner complaints for that exact year, make and model.
Enter a VIN on CarLogs to see open recalls and common problems — free, no account needed.