How do I know if my vehicle has been recalled?

The defective airbags have been used in cars as early as 2000 up to the present in nearly 200 vehicle models. Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks Sterling Bullet, Daimler Vans Sprinter, Dodge/Ram, Ford, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Subaru, Toyota (including Lexus) and Volkswagen have all used the defective airbags.

If you or someone you know is driving a vehicle on the Takata airbag recall list, they must have these parts replaced as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many of the replacement airbags may use the same propellant at issue meaning the airbags could become defective over time. The airbags become susceptible to defects after about 7 to 12 years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes that vehicles may need multiple repairs.

Recalls Search
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration created a website to track the increasing number of recalled vehicles. Visit https://www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html to view the list of recalled vehicles. Click on the link that says “list of affected vehicles.” If your vehicle is on that list, you should contact your vehicle manufacturer immediately to have the defective airbag inspected and/or replaced.

If you know your Vehicle Identification Number, often referred to as VIN, you may check your vehicle for recalls at https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin. Simply type in your VIN in the “Enter VIN here” box to know if a particular vehicle has not been repaired as part of a safety recall in the last 15 years.

If you don’t know your VIN, you can search for recalls by your vehicle make and model at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues. Here, just select your vehicle year, the auto manufacturer, and the model and select search. If your vehicle has a recall, please contact your manufacturer immediately to get the defect resolved as soon as possible.

Additionally, you can always consult your vehicle manufacturer’s website or your local auto dealer for more information about the Takata airbag recall impacting your vehicle.