Pick the year, make and model, and see every safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for it, live from NHTSA's own recall database. Each one shows what's wrong, the risk, and the fix in NHTSA's words.
Check a car
Example: the 2020 Toyota RAV4 has 6 recalls on file (checked October 13).
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Nov 4, 2020 · NHTSA 20V682000
What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Nov 25, 2020 · NHTSA 20V734000
What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Feb 6, 2020 · NHTSA 20V064000
What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Jun 24, 2020 · NHTSA 20V373000
What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · May 20, 2020 · NHTSA 20V286000
What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · Dec 20, 2023 · NHTSA 23V865000
What's wrong: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
What to do if yours has one
- Read "The fix" on each recall above: it's the manufacturer's remedy, and it usually says what the dealer will do and whether it's free.
- Call any dealer for that brand with your VIN (the 17-character number on your registration, insurance card, or the driver's side of the dashboard) and ask them to check it and book the repair.
- Check the exact car, not just the model: a recall can cover only some cars of a model year, and some are already fixed. The dealer's VIN check says for sure.
Got a recall letter in the mail? It's for your car specifically. What does this letter mean? reads it for you.
Where PJ helps
Recall letters pile up, especially at a parent's house. PJ, a local in Solana Beach, can look up the car, call the dealer and book the repair. Text PJ · price an errand.
Recalls come live from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall API (api.nhtsa.gov) and its vehicle database (vPIC), in NHTSA's own words. Nothing you pick here is stored. This page is an independent local guide, not NHTSA or any carmaker.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
How do I check if my car has a recall?
Pick the year, make and model above to see NHTSA's recalls on file for it, then call a dealer for that brand with your 17-character VIN to confirm whether your exact car still needs the repair.
Are recall repairs free?
Each recall's remedy, shown above in the manufacturer's words, says what the dealer will do; it usually states that the repair is free.
Where do I find my VIN?
On your registration, your insurance card, or the driver's side of the dashboard, seen through the windshield.
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