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Safety recalls

Check any vehicle for safety recalls

Manufacturers issue safety recalls to fix something they have recognised as defective — anything from faulty brakes to an airbag that will not deploy. An open recall means there is still time to have the problem put right, free of charge, so it is worth acting on straight away.
Check by VIN instead

A VIN tells you which recalls apply to your car, not just the model.

Select a model year

NHTSA publishes recall campaigns and 5-Star Safety Ratings back to 1991.

Recently updated

Recall data refreshes continuously from NHTSA — these vehicles were checked most recently.

2026 2026 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN ICE · Sep 7, 20262026 2026 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS ICE · Sep 7, 20262026 2026 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ICE · Sep 7, 20262026 2026 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI ICE · Sep 7, 20262026 2026 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R ICE · Sep 7, 20262026 2026 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI ICE · Sep 7, 2026

What is a vehicle safety recall?

A vehicle safety recall is when a car manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a car model has a safety-related defect or does not meet federal safety standards.

Types of vehicle recall

There are two types of vehicle recall in the United States: safety recalls and emissions recalls. A safety recall is issued when a car manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle poses a safety risk to drivers, passengers, or others on the road. An emissions recall is issued when a car manufacturer or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines that a vehicle emits too much pollution.

What to do if your car is recalled

First, check whether your car is actually affected, using its VIN — a campaign often covers only part of a model year's production. If it is, contact the dealership or manufacturer to schedule the repair, with your proof of ownership to hand.

The work is carried out free of charge. Most recalls are handled quickly, though parts for a large campaign can take time to reach every dealer.

Frequently asked questions

Are recall repairs free?

Yes. For a safety recall the manufacturer must correct the defect free of charge — by repairing it, replacing the vehicle or part, or refunding. The one limit: if a vehicle was more than 15 years old when the defect was determined, the manufacturer is no longer required to provide the free remedy.

Do safety recalls expire?

Safety recalls have no expiration date — an unrepaired campaign stays open, and a franchised dealer can still carry out the work years after it was announced. NHTSA's unrepaired-recall lookup covers roughly the last 15 calendar years.

Can a used car be sold with an open recall?

Federal law stops a dealer from selling a new vehicle with an open recall, but in most states a used car can legally be sold with one. Check the model here and confirm the specific car by VIN before you buy — the fix is free at a franchised dealer either way.

Is it safe to drive a car with an open recall?

It depends on the defect. Most recalls allow normal driving until the repair is done, but some campaigns carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning — those instructions appear on the campaign itself and on the model pages here, and they should be followed exactly.

How do I know if my car has an open recall?

Pick your vehicle's year, make and model here to see every campaign NHTSA has published for it. To confirm whether a specific car is affected — a campaign often covers only part of a model year's production — check its 17-character VIN with a franchised dealer.

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