(BPT) - Key Takeaways
- Keeping up with safety recalls is an important part of vehicle maintenance.
- It's easy to check for vehicle safety at CheckToProtect.org.
- Your vehicle's recall can be repaired at an authorized dealership at no cost to you.
If you don't know how to check for vehicle safety recalls, you're not alone. According to a survey by Stellantis, nearly half (43%) of American drivers don't know how to find out if their vehicle has an open safety recall. The good news is, it's easy to see if your vehicle has a recall. Visit the National Safety Council's CheckToProtect.org.
How does it work?
Check your vehicle by entering or uploading a photo of your license plate number or the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) into the search tool. If your vehicle has a recall, contact an authorized dealership near you to schedule a free recall repair.
Just like getting regular oil changes, tire rotations and other essential vehicle maintenance, it's important to make sure your car or truck is recall-free.
This Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, March 2-8, 2026, is the perfect time to check your vehicle. All drivers should take this time to make sure their vehicle is safe for themselves and their passengers.
Why are vehicle recalls important?
Safety recalls are sometimes issued by an automaker when a part stops functioning properly as it ages, or when a group of vehicle owners experience a similar problem. Safety recalls can affect everything from brakes and steering to batteries and airbags.
Research commissioned by automaker Stellantis found that 40% of drivers believe a recall is fine as long as it doesn't affect a vehicle's performance. The truth is that some recalls may not change the way a vehicle drives, but they can still present a safety risk. For example, if a recalled Takata airbag deploys in a crash, the airbag's inflator can break apart, sending shrapnel throughout the vehicle that could severely injure or kill vehicle occupants.
Another example relates to car seat anchors. CARFAX released new data showing that nearly one million vehicles have open safety recalls for child car seat anchors, a critical safety feature that secures car seats firmly in place.
According to CARFAX, as many as 57 million vehicles on the road today have an unrepaired safety recall — that's roughly 1 in every 5 vehicles. Any driver can take the proactive step to check their vehicle's recall status. This is especially important for drivers of older, used vehicles and drivers who have changed mailing addresses, because manufacturers may not have their latest contact information to notify them of recalls.
As many as 57 million vehicles on the road today have an unrepaired safety recall — that's roughly 1 in every 5 vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about vehicle safety recalls.
- How do I check to see if I have a vehicle safety recall? You can check a vehicle for safety recalls by visiting CheckToProtect.org and entering or uploading a photo of your 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number.
- How do I find the vehicle's VIN? Places to find a VIN include the driver's side dash, inside the driver's side door, on registration documents or the automobile insurance card.
- Where do you take a vehicle for a recall repair? Any authorized dealership near you will repair vehicle safety recalls at no cost to you, so don't hesitate to call and schedule an appointment. Drivers don't need to be a current or former dealership customer to get a free recall repair.
- Who pays for recall repairs? No matter the age of the vehicle, automakers will cover the cost of recall repairs and parts for dealers. Authorized dealers will always repair a safety recall at no cost to the driver, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in the driver's name or if it's still under warranty.
- Will the dealership ask for personal information? You don't need to provide any personal information to get a recall repaired at a dealership. The dealership only needs a way to contact you when the repair is completed.
- How long does a recall repair take? Recall repairs can take as little as one hour. Customers can ask dealers about rideshare vouchers, loaner cars and other transportation services they may offer, if needed.
- What if I'm not the owner? You can check any vehicle for recalls if you know the license plate number or VIN. If you drive a vehicle that belongs to someone else, such as an older relative, you can check it for recalls and take it to the authorized dealership for repair, at no cost to you or the vehicle's owner.
Checking for recalls can help ensure your vehicle is in good condition, so make sure to add this simple step to your checklist of regular maintenance tasks. Take charge of your safety today at CheckToProtect.org.
