How to Check a Car Recall

Automakers strive for quality control during the production process. Automation of assembly lines reduces defects in many cases, but sometimes, problems do not occur until cars have been on the road for thousands of miles or many years. When far-reaching defects that impact the safety of a vehicle are discovered, automakers issue recalls. For consumers, it can be difficult to know whether or not their car is affected by a certain recall or to keep track of every recall that hits the news. Fortunately, there is an easy method to check car recalls online.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Year, make and model of the vehicle

Instructions

1. Visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation website at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/index.cfm.

2. Select 'Safety recalls' from the navigation bar found on the left of the site.

3. In the left column titled 'Recalls', select 'Search for a recall.' It is the first option listed.

4. Select the radial button labeled 'Vehicle.' Left click 'Search Selected Type.'

5. Select the model year from the drop down menu. When the correct model year is selected, left click 'Submit Model Year.'

6. Select the vehicle make from the drop down menu. When the correct make is selected, left click 'Submit Make.'

7. Select the model from the drop down menu. When the correct make is selected, left click 'Submit Model.'

8. To see all recalls for a vehicle, check the box that appears on the next page, and then, left click on 'Retrieve Recalls'. A summary of any recalls for the vehicle will appear on the next page.

Tips & Warnings

• While on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration website, sign up to receive email recall notifications to keep abreast of future recalls. The website can also be used to check for recalls on tires, equipment, child restraints and car seats.