Recalls & Defects
Looking up open recalls, complaints, and technical service bulletins by VIN or model, who pays for the repair on a used car, and what a stalled remedy means.
- Recalls & Defects Who Pays for a Recall on a Used Car: Limits and Refunds Free, but not forever and not for everything. The 15-year cutoff, the 10-year reimbursement window, and what actually changes when parts are not available.
- Recalls & Defects NHTSA Complaints and TSBs: Finding Known Faults A complaint total is not a score. How to read NHTSA's complaint file, bulletin index and open investigations before you go and look at a used car.
- Recalls & Defects Federal Emissions Warranty: 8 Years, 80,000 Miles A catalytic converter quote at 74,000 miles is not automatically your bill. The federal warranty runs to every subsequent purchaser, and two dates decide it.
- Recalls & Defects VIN Recall Check: Before and After You Buy NHTSA's VIN search leaves out six kinds of campaign on purpose. The two free lookups that close the gap, and what an open recall is worth at the table.