Guide
Understanding Vehicle Recalls: What They Mean & What to Do
How recalls work, how to check if your car is affected, and why you should act on them.
Reviewed by Michael Koster · Updated April 2026
What is a vehicle recall?
- A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety defect or doesn’t meet federal standards.
- Recalls are not optional suggestions — they address issues that could cause injury or death.
- The manufacturer must fix the problem at no cost to you.
How to check if your car has a recall
- Visit NHTSA.gov and enter your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to check for open recalls.
- You can also look up recalls by year, make, and model on OilChangeDIY.com.
- Dealers can run a recall check when you bring your car in for service.
What to do if your car is recalled
- Contact your nearest authorized dealer to schedule the repair.
- Recall repairs are always free, even if your warranty has expired.
- If the recall involves a serious safety risk (like airbags or brakes), stop driving the vehicle until it’s fixed.
- Keep records of the repair for your vehicle’s history.
Common types of recalls
- Airbag defects (like the Takata recall affecting millions of vehicles).
- Brake system failures, fuel leaks, steering issues, and software glitches.
- Seatbelt and child seat anchor problems.
- Electrical issues that could cause fires.
Look up specs for popular vehicles