How to check for Open Recalls

Please understand, however, that the information on safecar.gov or the Carfax Vehicle History Report may not be fully up to date.  Recently announced recalls may not yet be visible on these websites.  Also, there is a lag time between when a recall repair is made and when the repair is reported to these websites.  As a result, a recall that has been repaired may still appear as open on safercar.gov or Carfax for a period of time. 

Most open recalls are repaired prior to delivery, but there may be some that are not. Before purchasing a used vehicle, make sure you ask the dealer for the most recent status available regarding any open recalls.  Manufacturer-authorized dealerships typically repair recalls at no cost to you.