Decode any VIN
and check its safety recalls
Enter the 17 character VIN of a car you own or want to buy. See exactly what it is, where it was built, and every recall on file.
Find your VIN on the driver side of the dashboard through the windshield, on the driver door frame sticker, or on your registration.
Know the car before you pay for it. Every recall on file, from one 17 character code.
About this VIN decoder
This free US VIN decoder reads the 17 character vehicle identification number and tells you the year, make, model, trim, engine, body style and the plant where the car was built. It then checks the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for every safety recall filed for that vehicle.
Use it before you buy a used car, after you get a recall letter, or when you just want to know exactly what is parked in your driveway. The data comes straight from NHTSA, the US agency that handles vehicle safety and recalls.
The recall list covers the whole model year of your vehicle. To confirm whether your exact car has already been repaired, enter the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls or call a dealer for that brand. Safety recall repairs are done free at authorized dealers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a VIN?
A VIN, or vehicle identification number, is a 17 character code that identifies one specific vehicle. Every car and light truck sold in the US since the 1981 model year has one. VINs use numbers and capital letters but never the letters I, O or Q, so they are not confused with 1 and 0.
Where do I find my VIN?
Look at the driver side of the dashboard through the windshield, or on the sticker inside the driver door frame. It is also printed on your title, registration card and insurance card.
Is this VIN decoder free?
Yes. It is free with no sign up. It uses the public vehicle and recall databases run by NHTSA.
What does the recall check show?
It shows every safety recall NHTSA has on file for the make, model and model year your VIN decodes to, including the part affected, the risk, and how the manufacturer will fix it.
Does it tell me if my exact car was already fixed?
No. The list covers every vehicle of that model year. To see whether your specific car still has an open recall, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call a dealer for your brand.
Are recall repairs free?
Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at the manufacturer's authorized dealers. Federal law does not require a free remedy if the vehicle was more than 15 years old when the recall was announced, so check with the dealer for older cars.
What do "Do not drive" and "Park outside" mean?
NHTSA marks some recalls as so serious that owners should not drive the vehicle until it is repaired, or should park it outside and away from buildings because of fire risk. Contact a dealer right away if you see either label.
Can a VIN decoder show accident or title history?
No. A decoder reads how the car was built and NHTSA recalls. Accident, salvage and odometer history come from a vehicle history report, such as one from an NMVTIS approved provider.
Why did my VIN not decode?
The most common causes are a typo, such as 0 typed as O or 1 typed as I, or a missing character. Vehicles built before 1981 and cars made for markets outside the US may also return little or no data.
What is the VIN check digit?
The 9th character is a check digit calculated from the other 16. It helps catch typos on vehicles built for North America. If it does not match, double check the VIN before trusting the result.
Vehicle and recall data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NyNeon is not affiliated with NHTSA.
How to read a VIN, character by character
Use this free VIN checker to look up any US car, truck or SUV by its 17 character VIN. You also see every safety recall on file.
How the free VIN checker reads your VIN
This free VIN checker turns the 17 characters on your car into plain facts. For example, it shows who built the car, the model, the engine, the model year and the plant it came from. In fact, every position in a VIN has a fixed meaning. These rules apply to every car and light truck sold in the US since the 1981 model year.
- Characters 1 to 3 are the World Manufacturer Identifier. They show the country and the maker. For example, 1, 4 or 5 means the United States, 2 means Canada and 3 means Mexico. Likewise, J means Japan, K means South Korea and W means Germany.
- Positions 4 to 8 describe the model, body style, engine and safety equipment. Each manufacturer uses its own codes here.
- The 9th character is a check digit, worked out from the other 16 characters. Because of it, the checker can warn you about a typo.
- Position 10 is the model year. The codes repeat every 30 years, so A means 2010, L means 2020 and T means 2026.
- Next comes position 11, which is the assembly plant.
- The last six characters are the serial number. This part is unique to one vehicle.
What the recall check shows
After reading the VIN, the tool checks the NHTSA recall database. As a result, you see every safety recall filed for that make, model and year. NHTSA is the US government agency in charge of vehicle safety. Also, dealers fix safety recalls free of charge.
Tips for used car buyers
Buying a used car? First, run the VIN through this free VIN checker before you pay. Then make sure the details match the seller’s listing. After that, confirm any open recalls for that exact car on the NHTSA site. However, if the VIN shows a different engine, body or year than advertised, ask the seller why.
Looking for more free tools? Browse the full list of NyNeon tools. Also, if you earn tips or overtime in the US, try the US no tax on tips and overtime calculator. It shows how much federal tax you can save in 2026.