Here’s How to Check If Your Car Has a Recall

When you buy a car, you want to be sure that it is safe and in the best condition at all times. However, occasionally, automotive manufacturers will find a flaw and issue a recall of all the vehicles where it is present so they can be repaired.

While the automaker will do everything it can to get in touch with owners of the vehicles, it is possible to miss a recall and end up with car trouble on your hands that you shouldn’t have to pay for. In fact, an average of 25 percent of vehicles with active recalls never get repaired.

Knowing how to check if your car has a recall will help you keep your vehicle running smoothly at no cost to yourself.

What Is a Car Recall?

While automakers try to ensure that the vehicles coming off the line are properly designed and built, design flaws and quality control problems happen. When they do, the automaker will send out a recall in the form of letters, emails, or messages to the vehicle owners and dealerships where the affected cars were sold.

If your new or used car has a recall, you can take it to the dealership, where they will repair the issue or replace the component for free. Because of this, it is essential that you know how to find recalls so you can make sure that your car doesn’t have any safety-related recalls, such as problems with the airbags, car seats, or other safety risks.

How to Check If My Car Has a Recall

Recalls will almost always be issued in a variety of ways, and the manufacturer will try to get in touch with you as best they can. If you don’t receive the recall notice, though, you could be driving around with a potentially dangerous flaw in your vehicle. This makes it incredibly important that you know how to check if your car has a recall so you don’t miss out on a free repair for the problem.

1. Find Your Vehicle Identification Number

Before you can check for recall information on your vehicle, you have to find your vehicle identification number (VIN). The 17-character VIN is a number that is unique to your car and is your best bet for finding out about recalls and other important information.

The VIN should be located on your car’s title or registration. It will also usually be printed on a stamped metal plate in the door jamb on the driver’s side of the car. (Note: It is not located on your license plate.) When you check with the various agencies regarding recalls, they will ask for this number and check it against any current notices that they have on file.

2. Check With the Manufacturer

The manufacturer is one of your best sources for open vehicle recalls. On the manufacturer’s website, there should be a section called “Recalls” or “Safety Recalls.” There, you can either enter your VIN or browse through a list of models and model years to see if your car has any issues that need to be addressed at the dealership’s service department.

3. Search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Lookup Tool

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is also in charge of tracking recalls and can be a great resource for checking on your vehicle’s status. The NHTSA site, NHTSA.gov/recalls, has a recall search tool where you can enter a specific vehicle’s VIN and see if there is anything currently open on your car’s make, model, and year. Since they are responsible for vehicle safety in the United States, you can rely on their listings to be accurate and up-to-date.

4. Contact Your Local Dealership

If you don’t see any recalls on the NHTSA or manufacturer’s website, you can always contact the dealership for your vehicle’s brand, whether it is a BMW, Chrysler, Chevrolet, or any other major manufacturer. When you call them, you can give them your car’s VIN number, and they will look up any possible recalls that might be open. Since you will be taking the vehicle to them to get recall issues repaired, they are a good place to look.

What to Do if Your Car Has a Recall

If you find out your vehicle has an open recall, all you have to do is take it to the dealership that is dealing with the manufacturer and have their service department fix the issue. Most of the time, the dealer will already have the necessary components on hand since they have been tasked with working on all the cars coming in to rectify the issue.

In some cases, it may not be safe to drive the vehicle to the dealership. You may have to have it towed there, and the dealer may even pay for the tow, so you don’t have any expenses at all for the repair. It is important to note, though, that recalls are handled by the NHTSA, so it will be at their discretion whether or not it is safe for you to drive to the dealership.

Protect Your Vehicle With an Extended Warranty

Staying up-to-date with recalls on your vehicle is an important part of car ownership. By knowing about any potential problems, you can get them fixed before they become a safety issue or leave you stranded on the side of the road. Even if your vehicle doesn’t have any active recalls, it is important to be prepared for breakdowns and mechanical issues.

An extended warranty is your best protection against expensive repair bills and component replacements that aren’t part of a recall. Plus, many third-party extended warranty providers offer extra perks and benefits on top of comprehensive coverage, including things like 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car coverage.

Visit our extended warranty provider reviews and buying guide to research which plan or company will work best for you.