It’s National Recall Week and federal safety officials are urging drivers to take a few minutes to check for open recalls that could put them at risk.
The annual awareness campaign is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The agency uses the week as a nationwide reminder for vehicle owners to check for unrepaired safety recalls and to have those issues fixed at no cost.
According to NHTSA, a safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or the agency determines that a vehicle, piece of equipment, car seat or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet federal safety standards. When that happens, the manufacturer is required by law to notify owners and provide a free remedy.
NHSTA reports that in 2025 there were:
Despite the volume of recalls, federal data shows that a significant number of vehicles on the road today still have open, unrepaired defects. That gap between recalls issued and repairs completed is exactly why National Recall Week exists.
NHTSA times the campaign to coincide with the switch to daylight saving time, encouraging consumers to check for recalls when they change their clocks. The agency recommends drivers check their vehicles at least twice a year.
The process is straightforward, as you'll see in this video.
Vehicle owners can visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls and enter their 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see whether their vehicle has any open safety recalls. You can typically find the VIN on the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side, on the driver’s door jamb, or on registration and insurance documents.
Drivers can also search by license plate number in participating states. In addition, NHTSA offers a free SaferCar mobile app that allows users to store their vehicle information and receive notifications if a new recall is issued.
NHTSA’s free VIN or License Plate Look-Up Tool will provide details on any unrepaired recalls on your vehicle — for at least the past 15 calendar years. It provides details on unrepaired safety recalls from major automakers, motorcycle manufacturers, and some medium and heavy truck manufacturers.
If a recall appears, repairs are performed free of charge at an authorized dealership, regardless of the vehicle’s age or ownership status. Whether the vehicle was purchased new or used, federal law requires manufacturers to correct the safety defect at no cost to the owner.
Recent recalls in the auto industry have ranged from airbag inflator defects and braking system issues to software-related problems in advanced driver assistance systems. While some recalls may appear minor, others involve components that could increase the risk of crashes, injuries or even fatalities.
NHTSA emphasizes that ignoring recall notices can carry real consequences. Mail notifications can sometimes go unopened, and owners who move or purchase used vehicles may not always receive recall letters from manufacturers. That makes periodic self-checks especially important.
The agency also reminds consumers that recalls extend beyond passenger vehicles. Child safety seats, tires, motorcycles and even certain vehicle accessories can be subject to safety recalls. All of those products can be checked using the same online system.
National Recall Week is less about publicity and more about prevention. Federal safety officials stress that checking for recalls takes only a few minutes, and the repairs — when needed — cost nothing.
For consumers, the message is simple: if you can check your phone in the morning, you can check your VIN twice a year.
Photo: NHTSA
