What is a safety recall?
A car safety recall is issued when a vehicle manufacturer discovers a safety-related defect in one or more vehicles. These defects may increase the risk of accidents, injuries, or fire.
In the United States, recalls are monitored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manufacturers are legally required to fix safety recalls for free.
Every year, millions of vehicles are affected by open recalls.
You can run a recall check by VIN or license plate for free anytime to see if your car has any open safety recalls.
Are car recalls free to fix?
Yes. If your vehicle has an open recall, the manufacturer must repair it at no cost, even if:
- The vehicle is out of warranty
- You bought the car used
- The vehicle is several years old
Recall repairs are performed at authorized dealerships.
How long do recalls stay open?
Most safety recalls do not expire. An open recall remains active until the repair is completed.
If a previous owner ignored the recall, it will still appear in the vehicle recall database. That's why it's important to check recalls regularly, especially before buying a used car.
Can you sell a car with an open recall?
Yes, in most states you can legally sell a car with an open recall. However, dealerships may have restrictions depending on the recall type, open recalls can lower vehicle value, and buyers may hesitate if safety defects are unresolved. Completing recall repairs before selling often improves resale value.
Main types of car safety recalls
Airbag Recalls
Airbag recalls are among the most serious safety issues. They may involve airbags failing to deploy, unexpected deployment, or defective inflators.
Brake System Recalls
Brake-related recalls affect stopping ability and road safety. These may include brake fluid leaks, ABS system failures, or worn/defective components.
Engine and Fire Risk Recalls
Some recalls involve engine defects that increase fire hazards caused by fuel system leaks, oil leaks, or electrical short circuits.
Steering and Suspension Recalls
Steering or suspension problems can cause loss of steering control. These recalls may involve broken tie rods, steering column defects, or suspension arm failure.
Electrical System Recalls
Electrical recalls may impact power steering systems, lighting systems, battery wiring, and control modules.
Seatbelt and Safety Equipment Recalls
Seatbelts and safety restraints must work correctly to protect passengers. Recalls in this category may involve faulty seatbelt latches, defective anchors, or crash sensor issues.
How serious are different recall types?
Some recalls are more urgent than others. Airbag, brake, steering, and fire-related recalls are usually considered high-priority safety issues.
Lower-risk recalls may involve software updates or minor component fixes, but they still need attention.
The best way to know if your vehicle is affected is to run a vehicle recall check regularly.
Recall vs Service Bulletin (TSB)
A safety recall is legally required and must be repaired for free.
A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a manufacturer notice about a known issue, but repairs may not be free unless covered by warranty.
When performing a recall check, it's important to understand the difference between mandatory safety recalls and non-mandatory service bulletins.
Why checking recalls before buying a used car is important
Before purchasing a used vehicle, always run:
- VIN recall lookup
- Accident history check
- Title brand check
- Salvage or flood damage check
An open recall may indicate unresolved safety risks. Running a vehicle recall check protects you from unexpected repair delays or safety hazards.
Check open recalls on your car today
A free recall check by VIN or license plate takes seconds and can prevent serious safety issues.
Enter your VIN or plate number above to see if your vehicle has open recalls.
FAQ
You can check for any open recalls by entering the vehicle's VIN or licence plate into our free recall lookup tool. This shows open safety recalls that may not have been fixed by a previous owner.
Ignoring a recall can increase the risk of accidents, injuries, or vehicle damage. Some recalls involve critical safety systems like airbags, brakes, or fire-related defects. Manufacturers provide free repairs, so delaying service can put you at unnecessary risk.
Yes. Once a recall repair is completed, it is typically recorded in manufacturer and service databases. Some vehicle history reports may show whether recall repairs were performed.
Generally, recalls do not directly affect your insurance premium. However, if an unresolved recall contributes to an accident, it could complicate a claim. Completing recall repairs helps reduce liability and safety risks.
Yes. Most safety recalls remain active regardless of vehicle age. Even older cars may qualify for free recall repairs if the recall has not been resolved.
Manufacturers typically send recall notices by mail to the registered owner. However, if you moved or purchased the vehicle used, you may not receive notification, which is why running a VIN or licence plate recall check is important.
Get more details in the app
The website check is a quick screen. In the app you can access deeper history context and additional vehicle data in one place.