How to Check for Open Recalls on Any Car (Free)
Open recalls are free to fix but often ignored on used cars. Here's how to check any car's recalls for free by VIN — and what to do about an open one.
A recall means the manufacturer found a safety defect and must fix it free of charge — no matter how many owners the car has had. The catch: recalls follow the car, not the owner, so used vehicles often carry open recalls nobody ever completed. Checking is quick, free, and worth doing on any car you're considering.
What a recall actually is
When a defect poses a safety risk — faulty airbags, brake or fuel problems, fire hazards — the manufacturer (often prompted by NHTSA) issues a recall and repairs it at no cost. A recall is different from a general complaint; it's an official, fixable safety action.
How to check for open recalls (free)
- NHTSA.gov/recalls — enter the VIN for open recalls on that specific car. Free and authoritative.
- The manufacturer's owner site — most let you look up recalls by VIN.
- A vehicle history report — often flags open recalls alongside everything else.
- Run the VIN here to get started.
Open vs. completed
An open recall hasn't been repaired yet; a completed one has. Open recalls aren't a reason to walk away on their own — they're free to fix — but you'll want them done, ideally before you rely on the car.
What to do about an open recall
Take the car to a franchised dealer for that brand. The repair is free, and it's a good chance to have a professional put eyes on the car. If the seller won't handle it, factor a dealer visit into your plan right after purchase.
Recalls aren't the whole picture
Recalls cover safety defects — not general reliability or owner gripes. For that, browse model research and complaints on our car pages. And remember a clean recall check is just one box; see why you should run a full report too.