Safety Recall FAQs
What is a safety recall?
A safety recall is issued when a vehicle or one of its parts has a problem that could put drivers and passengers at unreasonable risk of an accident or injury. It could involve the brakes, steering, airbags, seat belts, or another system or component.
When a safety recall is issued, the manufacturer, through its authorized dealers, will repair your recalls for free, regardless of whether your vehicle is still under warranty. Any driver can bring the vehicle into an authorized dealership for the free repair—you don’t need to be the registered owner or a previous customer of the dealership.
Millions of owners do not take advantage of the free repair, as they may be unaware of the serious safety risks related to recalls or believe the issue does not affect them.
Will I be charged for a vehicle safety recall repair, or pressured by the dealership to buy other services?
No. Dealerships will repair your recalls for free, regardless of whether your vehicle is still under warranty or where it was purchased. Dealerships receive payment directly from the manufacturer, not from customers.
During your recall repair visit, dealerships may recommend other services to maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle. You are under no obligation to purchase any additional services. You can decline and receive only the free recall repair.
My vehicle runs fine. Do I still need the recall repair?
Perhaps one of the most dangerous misconceptions about recalls is that they don’t need to be repaired if they don’t affect the performance of a vehicle.
Many critical parts of a vehicle may appear fine but fail when needed, sometimes with catastrophic results. For example, a defective, recalled Takata airbag is dangerous during a crash, possibly launching metal fragments towards occupants inside the car when deployed. Recalls specifically address these hidden dangers that can threaten lives even when everything seems normal.
Will I still get a free recall repair if my vehicle is out of warranty?
Recall repairs are free regardless of warranty status or ownership history. Ask your dealer if parts are available for your model year.
Think of recall repairs as the manufacturer investing in your vehicle’s safety and your loved ones’ protection, at absolutely no cost to you.
Do I have to be the registered owner to bring a vehicle in for a recall repair?
Anyone can bring a vehicle in for a recall repair without question. No title, proof of ownership, or documentation is required. A parent can bring in their teen’s car, adult children can help elderly parents, or neighbors can assist each other. Dealerships only need basic contact information to notify you when the repair is complete.
A dealership may also ask for your contact information to notify you of any recalls that could be issued for your vehicle in the future. You don’t need to provide any information you aren’t comfortable sharing, but it would allow the dealership to keep you informed so you can maintain the safety of your vehicle.
I’m worried about receiving scam mail. How can I check that my recall notice is legitimate and from the manufacturer?
Some people may believe that an automaker offering a free service is suspicious or could be a scam. However, recall repair services are free for drivers because the vehicle manufacturer covers the cost.
Legitimate recall notices are official communications from the manufacturers aimed at protecting you, not deceiving you. You can verify any recall notice by checking your vehicle at CheckToProtect.org or contacting your manufacturer or dealership directly.
Will the dealership collect my personal information when I bring a vehicle in for a recall repair?
Dealerships require minimal information, typically just a name and phone number, to contact you when recall repairs are complete. You may be asked for your license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which are both visible on your car and on documents you regularly share.
Official recall check platforms like CheckToProtect.org use your license plate and VIN solely to match against recall databases, similar to how you’d use a product serial number. The minimal information required to check for recalls poses no privacy risk, but not checking could pose a significant risk to your safety.
Why should I check my vehicle for recalls regularly?
Right now, 57 million vehicles in the U.S. have an open safety recall. That means 1 in 5 vehicles on the road may have a serious defect that hasn’t been repaired.
How do I check my vehicle for recalls today?
Check your vehicle for recalls in less than a minute:
- Go to CheckToProtect.org.
- Enter your license plate number or VIN into the lookup tool. You can also upload a picture of your license plate or VIN. You can find the VIN on your dashboard, driver’s side door, or insurance papers.
- If your vehicle has an open recall, call a local authorized dealership to schedule your free recall repair.
You don’t need to be the owner. You don’t need to pay. You don’t need to wait to schedule a repair.
It’s fast, free, and could save a life.
How can I check for other types of recalls?
The Check To Protect Recall Tools page provides links to resources you can use to check for recalls on tires, car seats, and other vehicle equipment.
Is it possible to check several vehicles for recalls at once?
Yes, if you work for a qualified business or organization (such as a dealership, rental car company, or insurance provider), you can visit the CARFAX recall check site and request an account that allows you to check thousands of VINS at once for safety recalls. The Check To Protect Recall Tools page provides more.
Can I use Check To Protect to check my vehicle for recalls if it is registered in Canada?
No, Check To Protect uses the CARFAX database, which does not include vehicles registered with Canadian license plates. To check your vehicle for recalls, check with your automaker or search the Government of Canada’s recalls database.