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Car care guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Check Your Car for Recalls by VIN
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) runs a lookup that checks a single VIN for unrepaired recalls. Here is how to use it, what it does not show, and what happens next if it finds one.
17characters in a VIN (NHTSA)
Freerecall repairs at a local dealership (NHTSA)
60 daysfor owner letters after a maker notifies NHTSA of a recall decision
2x a yearhow often NHTSA suggests checking
The short answer
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your 17-character VIN, which is on the lower left of the windshield and on your registration card. The search lists unrepaired safety recalls it has on file for that vehicle. If one shows up, NHTSA says to contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free.
What a safety recall is
NHTSA says a recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards.
When that happens, manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle. NHTSA says it monitors each safety recall to make sure owners receive safe, free and effective remedies.
From NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls (nhtsa.gov), read November 2, 2026.
Where to find your VIN
NHTSA says every vehicle has a unique vehicle identification number, or VIN. You can find it in these places:
Windshield
Look on the lower left of your car's windshield for the 17-character VIN.
Registration card
Your VIN is also printed on your vehicle's registration card.
Insurance card
It may also be shown on your insurance card.
From NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls, read November 2, 2026.
How to run the recall lookup
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. NHTSA says that when you search by license plate or VIN, you will learn if that specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall. If nothing is open, the result reads 0 unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN.
You can also search by license plate. NHTSA notes that plate information comes from state motor vehicle departments; you can also search by VIN. To look up recalls on a whole model rather than one vehicle, NHTSA lets you search by make and model, and it also covers car seats, tires and other equipment.
From NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls, read November 2, 2026.
What the VIN lookup does not show
NHTSA lists several things the license plate and VIN search will not show:
Repaired recalls
A safety recall that has already been repaired on that vehicle.
Very new recalls
Some recently announced safety recalls for which not all VINs have been identified yet. NHTSA says VINs are added continuously, so check regularly.
Non-safety campaigns
Manufacturer customer service or other non-safety recall campaigns.
Older recalls
Safety recalls more than 15 years old, except where a manufacturer offers more coverage.
Small makers and international vehicles
Recalls by small vehicle manufacturers, including some ultra-luxury brands and specialty applications, and recalls involving an international vehicle.
From NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls, read November 2, 2026.
What to do if your car has an open recall
NHTSA's advice is to contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free. Manufacturers also notify registered owners by first class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision, so watch your mail as well.
If you notice a safety problem with your vehicle, NHTSA says you can file a complaint that it will carefully review. Complaints help NHTSA investigate possible defects, which could lead to a safety recall.
From NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls, read November 2, 2026.
How to stay up to date on recalls
NHTSA suggests registering your vehicle, tires, car seats and equipment and checking recalls twice a year. Its free SaferCar app sends an alert when it finds a recall for a vehicle or item you entered, and you can also sign up for general recall alerts by email.
From NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls, read November 2, 2026.
Service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 2, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Vehicle recall FAQ
How do I check if my car has a recall?
Use NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Enter your 17-character VIN (or your license plate) and the search shows unrepaired safety recalls it has on file for that specific vehicle. If there are none, it shows 0 unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN.
Where do I find my VIN?
NHTSA says to look on the lower left of your car's windshield for the 17-character VIN. It is also on your registration card, and it may be shown on your insurance card.
Do recall repairs cost anything?
NHTSA tells owners to contact a local dealership to fix the recalled part for free. Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle.
Will I get a letter if my car is recalled?
NHTSA says manufacturers notify registered owners by first class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision.
Why does the lookup say no recalls when I heard about one?
NHTSA notes that some recently announced recalls may not show up yet because not all VINs have been identified, and that VINs are added continuously. Check again later.
How often should I check for recalls?
NHTSA suggests registering your vehicle, tires, car seats and equipment and checking recalls twice a year. Its free SaferCar app can also alert you when it finds a recall for a vehicle you entered.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Found an open recall on your Ford?
NHTSA says to contact your local dealership for the free repair. Schedule a visit with the Michigan City Ford service team.
Sources
Recall, VIN and lookup facts are from NHTSA's Safety Issues and Recalls page, read November 2, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- NHTSA, Safety Issues and Recalls, NHTSA, read November 2, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 2, 2026
- Address and hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 2, 2026