AutoRecallCheck

Our Data & Methodology

Transparency about where our data comes from and how we use it.

Primary Data Source

All vehicle recall, complaint, and VIN data displayed on AutoRecallCheck is retrieved directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public API. The NHTSA is the U.S. federal agency responsible for vehicle safety standards. Their recall database is the authoritative, legally mandated repository of all safety-related defect campaigns.

  • Recall data: api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle
  • VIN decoding: api.nhtsa.gov/vehicles/DecodeVinValues
  • Complaints: api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle

Data Refresh Cycle

Our system queries the NHTSA API in real time when you search for a vehicle. This means you always see the most current data available. There is no cached or stale data — every search result is a live query to the federal database.

NHTSA typically adds new recalls to their API within 24 hours of an official announcement. If a recall was just announced today, it may not appear until tomorrow.

What We Display

For each recall, we show:

  • Recall number and NHTSA campaign ID
  • Component affected (e.g., airbags, brakes, engine)
  • Summary of the defect and safety risk
  • Consequence of the defect
  • Manufacturer's recommended remedy
  • Number of potentially affected vehicles
  • Recall date and reporting period

Recall Severity Classification

NHTSA classifies recalls into three severity levels. We display these as they are reported by NHTSA:

  • Class I (Most Serious): A defect that could cause serious injury or death. Immediate attention required.
  • Class II (Moderate Risk): A defect that may create risk of injury. Schedule repair promptly.
  • Class III (Minor Risk): Unlikely to cause injury but violates federal safety regulations. Schedule a dealer visit soon.

Limitations

  • Recall data depends on NHTSA's records. If a recall is very recent, it may not yet be in their API.
  • Some recalls may have been already repaired. We show open recalls as reported by NHTSA — we cannot verify whether a specific vehicle has had the repair completed.
  • VIN-specific recall lookups via NHTSA's API may not cover every single recall for that exact VIN. Always verify with your dealership.
  • We do not provide legal or automotive repair advice. Always consult a qualified professional.