Product & Vehicle Recalls Search
Recalls are mandatory or voluntary actions taken by manufacturers or government agencies to address safety defects in vehicles, foods, drugs, medical devices, and consumer products. In 2025, approximately 29 million vehicles were subject to safety recalls in the U.S. — the third-highest year on record. The FDA issued over 850 food and drug recall notices. Checking recalls before purchasing used vehicles, medications, or consumer goods is one of the most effective safety precautions available. This page links directly to every major official recall database. Updated March 2026.
Vehicle Recalls — NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administers vehicle safety recalls for cars, trucks, motorcycles, child safety seats, tires, and vehicle equipment.
- NHTSA Vehicle Recalls Search — Enter a VIN (17-digit), or search by year/make/model. Shows all open recalls, whether the recall remedy has been performed, and the nearest participating dealer.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder — Decode a VIN to identify vehicle specs and check for safety issues.
- SaferCar.gov — NHTSA's consumer safety portal. Sign up for recall alerts by VIN so you are automatically notified of new recalls affecting your vehicle.
Key fact: Recall repairs at authorized dealers are always free to the vehicle owner, regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage.
Food & Drug Recalls — FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates recalls of foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and veterinary products.
- FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts — Complete list of all active and recent FDA recalls organized by product category.
- FDA Recall Enterprise System (IRES) — Searchable database of recall notices with severity classification (Class I = serious health hazard; Class II = temporary health risk; Class III = unlikely health risk).
- FoodSafety.gov – Recalls & Outbreaks — Joint FDA/USDA portal combining food recall and outbreak information in one place.
Consumer Product Recalls — CPSC
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees recalls of household products, toys, electronics, furniture, and other consumer goods. CPSC recalls do not include vehicles, food, drugs, or firearms (handled by other agencies).
- CPSC Recall Database — Searchable by product type, date, or company. Sign up for e-mail recall alerts at cpsc.gov/es/recalls/recall-alerts.
- SaferProducts.gov — Report unsafe products and search consumer-submitted incident reports.
Meat, Poultry & Egg Recalls — USDA FSIS
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) handles recalls of meat, poultry, and egg products — these are separate from FDA's food recalls.
- USDA FSIS Recall Database — Search active and historical recalls of meat, poultry, and egg products with case numbers and recalled amounts.
- AskKaren.gov — USDA food-safety question-and-answer service.
Additional Recall Resources
- Recalls.gov — Federal gateway linking to recalls from NHTSA, FDA, CPSC, USDA, EPA, and other agencies in one place.
- NRC Event Status (Nuclear) — Nuclear Regulatory Commission event notifications for nuclear facilities and equipment.
- USDA Global Agricultural Trade System — Track agricultural import alerts and detentions at ports of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my car has an open safety recall?
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your 17-digit VIN (found on your dashboard, driver's door jamb, or registration). The search is free, instant, and shows all open recalls that have not yet been repaired.
What is the difference between a recall and a market withdrawal?
A recall involves a product that violates a federal safety standard or poses a risk of injury. A market withdrawal is a firm's voluntary removal of a product for reasons that do not constitute a safety violation (e.g., a minor quality issue). Market withdrawals are typically not regulated by federal agencies.
Are vehicle recall repairs free?
Yes. Under NHTSA regulations, authorized dealerships must perform recall repairs at no charge to the vehicle owner, regardless of the vehicle's age or whether it has been previously owned. Parts must be covered, and dealers are reimbursed by the manufacturer.
How do I report an unsafe product to the CPSC?
Visit SaferProducts.gov to submit a report. Reports are publicly visible (with personal information removed) and can trigger CPSC investigations that lead to recalls.
How many food recalls happen each year?
The FDA issues approximately 700–900 food recall notices per year. Most are Class II (remote probability of adverse health consequences). Class I recalls (serious health hazard, such as listeria or salmonella contamination) average 50–100 per year.
Page updated: March 2026