I Bought a Used Car With an Open Recall. What Do I Do Now?
Updated: Oct 14
You found the car, negotiated the price, signed the paperwork, and drove it home. Then you ran the VIN through a recall lookup, or a notice showed up in the mail, and there it is: open recall.
Finding an open recall after buying a used car can be alarming—especially when the recall involves airbags, brakes, steering, fuel leaks or fire risk. The good news is that an open recall doesn't automatically mean you're stuck with an unsafe vehicle or an expensive repair. Here's what to do next.
Why Used Cars Can Have Open Recalls
Many buyers assume a car can't be sold with an unfixed safety recall. That's only partly true. In the U.S., franchised dealers can't sell a new car with an open recall, but the rules for used cars are much looser. Used vehicles can often be sold, even by dealers, with recalls still unrepaired. The main limit is on advertising: a car can't be marketed as "certified" or "safe" in a deceptive way while a known recall is open.
Step 1: Confirm the Recall Is Real and Still Open
Don't rely on a dealer's word or a third-party history report alone. Check directly:
Go to NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your 17-character VIN.
Check the manufacturer's own recall page, which often has its own VIN lookup.
Write down the recall number, the date, and the description of the defect.
Your VIN is usually on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield) and on the driver-side door jamb sticker.
30 seconds checking a VIN today could reveal information that matters for years to come
Step 2: Understand How Serious It Is
Not all recalls are equal. Some are minor, like a mislabeled sticker or a software update. Others involve airbags, brakes, steering, fuel leaks, or fire risk.
Read the recall description carefully. Look for language like "do not drive" or "park outside." Some recalls, such as certain airbag inflator defects, have carried urgent warnings because the failure can be severe. If your notice says to stop driving, take it seriously and ask the manufacturer or dealer about towing or alternative transportation.
If it's a lower-risk recall, you can usually keep driving while you schedule the repair, but don't let it sit for months.
Step 3: Call a Franchised Dealer for Your Brand
Recall repairs are done by authorized dealers of that manufacturer, and they're free. You don't need to have bought the car from that dealer.
When you call the service department:
Give them your VIN and the recall number.
Ask whether the parts are available. Sometimes there's a backlog.
Ask how long the repair will take.
Ask whether a loaner or rental is offered. Policies vary, and it's more common for serious recalls.
If parts aren't available yet, ask to be put on the waiting list and get the name of the person you spoke to. Then follow up regularly.
Step 4: If Parts Are Delayed, Ask About Interim Remedies
For some recalls, the manufacturer publishes an interim safety measure, such as disabling a feature or following a temporary workaround, until the full fix is ready. Ask the dealer or the manufacturer's customer service line what applies to your car.
Step 5: Go Back to the Seller
How much leverage you have depends on where you bought the car.
If you bought from a dealer:
Check your purchase paperwork for any recall disclosure. Did they say anything, or promise to handle it?
If the car was advertised as certified or "inspected," or if you were told there were no open recalls, you may have grounds to push for a remedy.
Raise it politely but in writing. Many dealers will help just to avoid a dispute.
If you bought from a private seller:
Your options are more limited, since private sales are usually "as is." It's still reasonable to let them know, but the recall repair is free anyway, so there's often little to dispute.
If you believe you were deceived, you can file complaints with your state attorney general or consumer protection office, and with the FTC.
Step 6: Keep Records
Save everything:
The recall notice and number
Dates and names of your calls
Repair orders showing the recall was completed
Any ads or messages from the seller about the car's condition
Once the repair is done, ask for the paperwork. It's useful proof when you eventually resell the car.
What About Repairs You Already Paid For?
If you paid out of pocket to fix the very problem the recall covers before the recall was announced, manufacturers often have a reimbursement process. Ask the manufacturer, and keep your receipts. Time limits and eligibility vary, so check the recall notice or call customer service.
Also note that very old vehicles may be treated differently. Federal rules limit the free-remedy requirement for cars past a certain age, so confirm with the manufacturer if yours is an older model.
Report Problems
If the dealer refuses the repair, stalls indefinitely, or you experience the defect firsthand, report it to NHTSA through its website or hotline. Reports help regulators spot patterns and can push manufacturers to act.
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall tool. It takes about 30 seconds and it's free.
Ask the seller to confirm no open recalls in writing.
Make recall completion part of the deal, either fixed before purchase or with a price adjustment.
Check again the day you pick the car up, since new recalls are issued all the time.
Why Vehicle Safety Matters to Element 11
Vehicle recalls aren't just numbers in a government database. They can involve real safety risks for drivers, passengers and families.
That's why Element 11 Media is building a Vehicle Safety resource focused on helping everyday vehicle owners understand recalls, ask better questions and make more informed decisions before putting themselves or someone they love behind the wheel.
FAQs
Can a dealer legally sell a used car with an open recall?
In the U.S., yes, in most cases. Federal law bars franchised dealers from selling new vehicles with unrepaired recalls, but used cars can generally be sold with open recalls. Dealers still can't deceptively advertise a car as "safe" or "certified" while a known recall is open, and some states have stricter rules.
Is it safe to drive a car with an open recall?
It depends on the recall. Check the manufacturer's instructions and NHTSA recall information for your VIN. If the recall includes warnings such as "do not drive" or "park outside," follow those instructions immediately.
How much does it cost to fix an open recall?
Most safety-recall remedies are performed by an authorized manufacturer dealer at no charge when the vehicle qualifies for the recall remedy. Contact the manufacturer or authorized dealer with your VIN to confirm eligibility.
How do I check if my used car has an open recall?
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and check the manufacturer's VIN lookup as well.
What if the dealer says parts aren't available?
Ask to be placed on the waiting list and get the name of the person you spoke with. Also ask the dealer or the manufacturer's customer service line whether there's an interim safety measure, a loaner vehicle, or a rental while you wait. Follow up regularly so your request doesn't get lost.
Ask whether the manufacturer has issued interim safety instructions, whether you can be placed on a parts waiting list, and whether transportation assistance is available. Keep records of every conversation and follow-up.
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