A recall notice is the one piece of car news that can actually reach into your driveway. The rest is entertainment. This page collects every recall we have covered, and the checking process below takes about two minutes and works for any vehicle sold in the United States regardless of make.
Quick answer: Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls, enter your 17-character VIN, and you will see every open recall on that specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. Your VIN is on the driver-side dashboard where it meets the windshield, and on your insurance card.
Engine and drivetrain recalls
Powertrain recalls tend to be the expensive ones, and they tend to arrive late, after enough failures have been reported to force the issue.
- The Fix That Failed: New Bronco Recall Targets Botched Drivetrain Repairs
- Toyota Vehicle Recall Models: How Toyota Recalls Expand to 127,000 Tundra & Lexus SUVs for Engine Defects
- Nissan Recalls 443,899 Vehicles Over VC-Turbo Engine Failure Risk
Braking, steering and rollaway risks
These are the recalls worth acting on the week you hear about them rather than at your next service.
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Sales Halted After Fatal Seat Accident
- Ford Models Recalled Over Rollaway Risk: F-150 Lightning Among Affected
- Ford Recall: Over 312,000 Vehicles Affected by Brake Assist Issue
Trim, software and everything else
Cosmetic and software recalls rarely make headlines, but they still require a dealer visit and they still show up against your VIN.
- Kia Theft Settlement: What 4 Million Owners Need to Know
- Critical Ford Recall – Instrument Panel Software Crisis Affects Over 200K SUVs
- Kia Recalls Over 300,000 Vehicles Due to Faulty Trim Components
Common questions
How do I know if my car has an open recall?
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup is free, covers every manufacturer, and shows only recalls that are still unrepaired on your specific vehicle.
Do I have to pay for recall work?
No. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer for that brand, whether or not you bought the car there and whether or not it is still under warranty.
Is there a deadline for getting a recall fixed?
Safety recalls do not expire. That said, parts supply is usually worst in the first few months after a recall is announced, so booking early can mean waiting longer for parts.