You Can Find Out If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled

In the past finding the answer to the question, "Has my car ever been recalled?" has involved a good amount of research and more than a few telephone calls.

Now, the answer is a few clicks away.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a new website that will help consumers find out about recalls on cars that they own or are considering for purchase or rental.

All that is required to use the website is the vehicle identification number (VIN).  Click here or visit: https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/.  If you do not know where the VIN is, the website includes information on where to find that as well.  [EDITOR'S NOTE: 10/22/2014 10:40am The NHTSA site appears to be down temporarily.  A note on the website says that the NHTSA is aware of the problem and that it is working to fix the site.  They ask that anyone interested checks the site later this afternoon.]

The website covers cars, light trucks, and motorcycles and includes information from the past fifteen years.  The information on the site is provided by manufacturers (a list is below).  The NHTSA notes that it does not save or compile the data on the cars searched nor does it save the VIN numbers from searches.

Manufacturers are required to provide VIN search capability for uncompleted recalls on their own websites.  A new mandate from the NHTSA requires that the data on those websites be updated at least once a week.

The manufacturers covered on the site include:

• Acura
• Audi
• BMW
• BRP Can-Am
• Buick
• Cadillac
• Chevrolet
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• FIAT
• Ford
• GMC
• Harley-Davidson
• Honda
• Honda Motorcycles
• Hummer
• Hyundai
• Infiniti
• Jaguar
• Jeep
• Kia
• Land Rover
• Lexus
• Lincoln
• Mazda
• Mercedes-Benz
• Mercury
• MINI
• Mitsubishi
• Nissan
• Oldsmobile
• Pontiac
• ProMaster
• RAM
• Saab
• Saturn
• Scion
• SMART
• Subaru
• Suzuki Motorcycles
• Toyota
• Triumph
• Volkswagen
• Volvo

To make certain that everyone is on board with the service and responsibility for dealers, the NHTSA is working with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) to make certain that franchise dealerships understand how to use the new search tool.