Recall

A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines a vehicle has a safety defect or fails a federal standard. The manufacturer must fix it free of charge, no matter the vehicle's age or how many owners it has had.

Recall counts are a useful screening signal, but read them with context: high-volume models accumulate more recalls partly because more units are watched. Before buying used, check the VIN on nhtsa.gov for open, unrepaired recalls.