All NHTSA safety recall repairs are free — including parts and labor. Here's exactly how to schedule and complete a free recall repair at your dealer.
Here's something many vehicle owners don't know: every safety recall repair in the United States is completely free. Not just the parts. Not just the labor on certain recalls. Everything — diagnosis, parts, and labor — at no cost to you, guaranteed by federal law.
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires manufacturers to remedy recall defects at no charge to the owner. This applies to every NHTSA safety recall, regardless of when you bought the vehicle, whether you're the original owner, or how many miles are on the odometer.
Start by verifying the recall using your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The database will show all open recalls on your specific vehicle. Note the recall campaign number for each open recall — you'll need it when you contact the dealer.
You don't have to go to the dealer where you bought the vehicle. Any authorized dealer for your vehicle's brand can perform the recall repair. A Toyota dealer can fix any Toyota recall, regardless of whether that dealer sold you the car. Use the manufacturer's dealer locator website to find the nearest authorized service center.
When you call, go directly to the service department — not the sales floor. Say: "I have an open recall on my vehicle and I'd like to schedule the repair. My VIN is [your VIN] and the recall campaign number is [number]."
The service advisor will look up the recall, confirm your vehicle is affected, and check parts availability. Get the appointment in writing — ask for a confirmation number or email.
Bring your vehicle registration or any document showing your VIN. You don't need the original recall notice. You don't need proof of purchase or ownership history. Any vehicle owner can get a recall repair done at any authorized dealer.
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Monitor my vehicle — $9.99/month →When you arrive, confirm with the service advisor that the work being performed is covered under the recall. Ask them to note it on the repair order as "recall repair — no charge to customer." You should not be handed an invoice at the end of the appointment.
For high-volume recalls — particularly the Takata airbag recall, which affected tens of millions of vehicles — dealers may have parts backordered. This doesn't mean you're out of luck. Ask the dealer to document your appointment and add you to the notification list when parts arrive. In some cases, manufacturers offer temporary measures or loaner vehicles while you wait for parts.
If you paid for a repair out of pocket before the recall was issued — and the recall covers that same defect — you may be eligible for reimbursement. Contact the manufacturer's customer service line and ask about the reimbursement process for recall-related repairs. Keep all receipts and repair orders.
Federal law requires that dealers cannot sell new vehicles with open safety recalls. However, used vehicle dealers are not subject to the same restriction in most states. If you bought a used vehicle with open recalls, the recalls are still free for you to have repaired. The repair obligation belongs to the manufacturer, not the dealer who sold you the car.
There's no reason to drive with an open recall. The repair is free, it can typically be done in a few hours, and completing it eliminates a known safety risk and protects your vehicle's value. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov today.
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