RecallLensGuides · Updated 2026-11-10
Are car recall repairs free?
For a U.S. vehicle safety recall, the manufacturer generally has to fix the problem at no charge. Federal law sets a few limits, and the main one is the vehicle's age when the recall was issued.
The rule: remedy without charge
49 U.S.C. 30120(a)(1) says that when a vehicle or equipment is presented for remedy under a recall, the manufacturer must remedy the defect or noncompliance without charge. The statute lets the manufacturer choose how, among repair, replacement or, for a vehicle, a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation, on the conditions it sets out.
The limits
| Limit | What it says | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle age | No free-remedy duty for a vehicle the first purchaser bought more than 15 calendar years before the recall notice (or order, if earlier). | 30120(g)(1) |
| Tire age | No free-remedy duty for a tire the first purchaser bought more than 5 calendar years before the notice or order. | 30120(g)(1) |
| Tire deadline | The tire manufacturer must remedy a recalled tire presented within 180 days, counted from the day the owner receives the notice (or a later day if the manufacturer is replacing the tire). | 30120(b)(1) |
The 15 years run from the first retail purchase to the recall notice, not to the day you bring the car in. A car bought new in 2012 that was recalled in 2020 was 8 years into that window when the notice went out.
How to find open recalls
- Find your VIN: it is on your registration and insurance documents and on the vehicle itself.
- Enter it in NHTSA's recall lookup or the manufacturer's recall page. Searching by VIN checks your specific vehicle; the manufacturer or a dealer can confirm whether the recall work has been done.
- To see every recall campaign for a make, model and year (useful before you buy, or for a fleet), search by vehicle instead. Each campaign lists the defect, the risk and the remedy.
- Call a franchised dealer for that brand to book the repair. Bring the campaign number.
RecallLens's VIN tool decodes the VIN and lists the recall campaigns for that make, model and year. It does not show whether a recall was repaired on your vehicle.
Rental cars
Recalls work differently for rental fleets: see the rental car recall rules.
Look it up from a chat
RecallLens is a free connector for Claude that looks up NHTSA vehicle recalls (by make, model and year, by VIN, or by campaign number), FDA food, drug and device recalls and CPSC consumer product recalls, and links each answer to the official record. No sign-in or API key. Add it to Claude.
This guide summarizes public federal rules in plain English. It is not legal advice. Rules have exceptions and can change; read the linked text, and for a specific vehicle or product ask the manufacturer, dealer, pharmacist or the agency. RecallLens is published by Starry Night and is not affiliated with NHTSA, FDA, CPSC or any government agency.
Questions
Do I have to pay for a vehicle safety recall repair?
Usually not. 49 U.S.C. 30120(a) requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or noncompliance without charge when the vehicle is presented for the remedy, subject to the limits in the statute.
Is there an age limit on free recall repairs?
Yes. Under 49 U.S.C. 30120(g)(1) the free-remedy requirement does not apply to a vehicle the first purchaser bought more than 15 calendar years before the recall notice (or order, if earlier), or to a tire bought more than 5 calendar years before it.
Is the 15 years counted from today?
No. It is counted from the date the first purchaser bought the vehicle to the date of the notice or order, so an older car can still be covered by a recall issued when it was younger.