The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the U.S. agency responsible for overseeing traffic safety and regulations. Established by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the NHTSA has the authority to issue vehicle safety standards and oversee vehicle recalls in collaboration with manufacturers. In response to thousands of fatal accidents each year, the NHTSA strives to uphold the highest safety standards.
Use GET VIN INFO Vehicle Recall Lookup tool to quickly check for any open or past recalls related to your vehicle.
Recalls and Why You Should Be Aware of Them
Vehicle defects are a leading cause of highway accidents, which is why the NHTSA mandates manufacturer recalls for any safety-related issues. When a vehicle or its components pose a risk to drivers, passengers, other motorists, or pedestrians, the NHTSA requires a recall. These recalls can involve critical parts such as brakes, windshield wipers, engine cooling systems, wiring, electrical components, accelerators, lights, seat belts, child restraints, airbags, steering systems, and even motorcycle helmets.
Millions of vehicles have been subject to recalls. You could unknowingly be driving a vehicle with an open safety recall, making it essential to check regularly. If your vehicle has an open recall, it’s crucial to have it repaired promptly to meet federally mandated safety standards. Manufacturers or dealerships provide recall repairs at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Startling Recall Statistics
Since 2000, nearly 500 million vehicles have been recalled due to various defects and safety concerns. Ford holds the record for the largest single recall, involving 21 million vehicles in 1981 due to a powertrain defect that caused cars to slip out of ‘park’ and roll away. This issue led to thousands of accidents before the recall was issued. At the time, Ford addressed the problem by sending warning labels to the affected vehicle owners. Unfortunately, it took several years for the defect to be fully resolved.
Crash Test Ratings
In addition to enforcing safety regulations and overseeing recalls, the NHTSA conducts comprehensive crash tests on every new vehicle. These tests result in crash test ratings, which assess how well vehicles withstand side, front, and rear collisions. Before purchasing a new or used car, it’s essential to review these ratings to ensure the safety of you and your family. GET VIN INFO Vehicle History Reports include Crash Test Ratings at no additional charge!
Vehicle Recall Information
According to the United States Code for Motor Vehicle Safety (Title 49, Chapter 301), motor vehicle safety is defined as ‘the performance of a motor vehicle or its equipment in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable risks of accidents due to design, construction, or performance issues, as well as from unreasonable risks of death or injury in an accident. This also includes nonoperational safety aspects of a motor vehicle.’ A defect is described as ‘any flaw in the performance, construction, component, or material of a motor vehicle or its equipment
By using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can quickly and easily look up any vehicle recalls. The information you may find includes:
- The number of recalls
- Customer complaints
- Investigations by the NHTSA
- Overall safety rating
- Information about crash testing
- Technical details
- Recalls and other safety issues
- Manufacturer's communications