---
title: "Vehicle, tire, and car seat recalls (NHTSA)"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), \"Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: products
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment"
    publisher: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
    url: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Vehicle, tire, and car seat recalls (NHTSA)

## Summary
NHTSA handles recalls for vehicles, tires, car seats, and motor vehicle equipment. Look up open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; recall repairs are free, and manufacturers must notify registered owners by mail.

> **General information, not legal advice. Recall and warranty rights depend on the product and your state; confirm with the official source.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA finds a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire has an unreasonable safety risk or fails minimum safety standards.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Most recalls are started voluntarily by manufacturers before NHTSA gets involved.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: Manufacturers must remedy the defect by repair, replacement, refund, or rarely repurchase.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: Manufacturers notify registered owners by first-class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Owners should contact a local dealer to have the recalled part fixed for free.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6
  claim: NHTSA's VIN lookup can show manufacturer recall information not yet posted on NHTSA's site.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F7
  claim: NHTSA advises registering vehicles, tires, car seats and equipment and checking for recalls twice a year.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F8
  claim: Owners can file a safety complaint with NHTSA; complaints go into a public database with personal information removed.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Check a specific VIN
  where: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
  access: open