Vehicle Recall Guides
Practical explanations of how vehicle safety recalls work in the United States, what you are entitled to, and what to do next. Each guide is based on federal rules published by NHTSA.
How Vehicle Safety Recalls Work: From Defect Report to Dealer Repair
Who starts a recall, what gets filed with NHTSA, when owners are notified, and how to read a campaign number like 26V605000.
4 min read
Are Recall Repairs Really Free? What Dealers Can and Cannot Charge
What the free-remedy rule covers, what a dealer may still charge for, and what to do if you have already paid or are turned away.
3 min read
Do Vehicle Recalls Ever Expire? The 15-Year Rule and Open Recalls
A recall stays open until it is fixed. What the 15-year rule limits, and what it means when you buy or sell a used vehicle.
2 min read
Safety Recall vs. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB): What’s the Difference?
Recalls address safety defects and are free to fix. TSBs are repair guidance for common problems. Here is how to tell them apart.
2 min read
What to Do If Your Car Has a “Park Outside” or “Do Not Drive” Recall
What park-outside and do-not-drive advisories mean, and the steps to take straight away if your vehicle is affected.
2 min read
How to Report a Vehicle Safety Defect to NHTSA
How to file a complaint with NHTSA, what details to include, and what realistically happens after you report.
2 min read
How to Check Whether Your Vehicle Has an Open Recall
Where to find your VIN, how to check it against NHTSA records, and the difference between a model-level search and a VIN check.
2 min read