Type your 17 characters. We decode them right here — instantly, no account — and show every federal recall reported for your year, make and model. A recall can apply to only part of a production run, so when you want certainty, jump to NHTSA's official per-VIN lookup in one click.
Two cars off the same line, same year, same model — one is recalled, one isn't. The VIN is what tells them apart. We decode yours and show every recall on record for your vehicle, then hand you the campaign number and a one-click check at NHTSA to confirm your exact car.
These are recalls reported for this year, make and model. A recall may apply only to certain VIN ranges. Confirm an open recall with your dealer using the campaign number.
Is this your vehicle? See every federal recall reported for this year, make and model.
Double-check the 17 characters — the federal registry didn't recognize it.
Year, make, model, trim, drivetrain and plant — read straight from the free federal vPIC service the moment you hit decode.
Each active campaign on record for your year, make and model, with severity flagged — do not drive, park outside, open — and explained in plain English.
A recall can cover only part of a production run. We hand you the campaign number and a direct link to NHTSA's official per-VIN lookup so you can confirm your exact car.
Stand outside the driver's door and look at the bottom corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. A small metal plate with the 17-character VIN faces up. Easiest place to find it.
Open the driver's door and look at the sticker on the frame (the body of the car, not the door itself). It lists tire pressure, manufacture date, and the VIN.
Your state-issued registration card or renewal notice has the VIN printed at the top. The same number appears on the title.
Most insurance ID cards list the VIN alongside the year/make/model. Easiest if you have multiple cars on the same policy.
Eight more places — and what each of the 17 characters means →
17 characters. We decode it to your year, make and model in your browser, using the free federal vPIC service.
Every active recall campaign reported for your vehicle comes back, sourced from the federal recall record.
The defect in plain English and the official safety risk — plus the campaign number and a one-click link to NHTSA to confirm your exact VIN.
See the full pipeline — from federal recall posting to your inbox in under 24 hours →
The Vehicle Identification Number is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies your specific vehicle — its make, model, year, plant of origin, and production sequence. Every vehicle made since 1981 has one.
A recall on a "2021 Honda CR-V" does not necessarily cover every 2021 CR-V. Manufacturers issue recalls on specific production windows (for example, vehicles built between March and August at a particular plant). We show every recall reported for your year, make and model. To confirm whether your exact VIN is in the affected window, use the one-click NHTSA per-VIN link we provide, or call your dealer with the campaign number.
The decode runs in your browser against the free federal vPIC service — nothing leaves your device just to read your year, make and model. We only store your VIN if you choose to add the vehicle to your free watchlist for new-recall alerts. No account is required to decode.
Read it: the defect in plain English and the official safety risk from NHTSA. Then confirm your exact VIN with NHTSA's per-VIN lookup (one click from your result) or your dealer, using the campaign number. Recalls do not expire, and the repair is free at any franchised dealer of your brand — regardless of who you bought the car from or whether you are the original owner.
Decode each VIN separately. Add your email to your free watchlist for each one, and we'll alert you when new recalls drop for any of them.
It uses the same source data (NHTSA's federal recall record) but presents it in plain English with severity flagged and the dealer process explained — and we add ongoing monitoring so you hear about new recalls first. NHTSA.gov is the official per-VIN record, and we link you straight to it to confirm your exact vehicle.
Decoded your VIN above? Add it to your free watchlist and we'll alert you the moment a new federal recall is posted for your year, make and model.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.