Open Recalls API

Access only active, unresolved vehicle recalls requiring immediate attention or repair

Get currently active and unresolved vehicle recall information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. This API filters out completed, closed, or resolved recalls to show only those requiring immediate attention or repair action.

Endpoint

GET https://api.auto.dev/openrecalls/{vin}

View in Browser

https://api.auto.dev/openrecalls/1FMUK7DHXSGA27345

Parameters

Prop	Type	Default
`vin`	`string`	-
`recalls?`	`string`	-

Example Request

curl -X GET "https://api.auto.dev/openrecalls/1FMUK7DHXSGA27345" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"

Response Structure

What counts as an open recall. data and openRecalls cover only open NHTSA recalls — the recalls NHTSA itself would report for the VIN. Some manufacturers additionally report voluntary campaigns (warranty extensions, customer-satisfaction programs) that were never filed with NHTSA as safety recalls. When present, those are returned separately in manufacturerCampaigns and are never counted in openRecalls, so the open-recall count stays aligned with NHTSA while still surfacing everything the manufacturer flagged.

Main Response

Prop	Type	Default
`vehicle?`	`object`	-
`data?`	`array`	-
`status?`	`string`	-
`openRecalls?`	`number`	-
`totalRecalls?`	`number`	-
`manufacturerCampaigns?`	`array`	-
`manufacturerCampaignCount?`	`number`	-
`recalls?`	`array`	-
`retrievedAt?`	`string`	-
`examples?`	`object`	-

Open Recall Record Fields

Prop	Type	Default
`manufacturer?`	`string`	-
`nhtsaCampaignNumber?`	`string`	-
`mfrCampaignNumber?`	`string`	-
`remedyAvailable?`	`boolean`	-
`parkIt?`	`boolean`	-
`parkOutSide?`	`boolean`	-
`overTheAirUpdate?`	`boolean`	-
`reportReceivedDate?`	`string`	-
`component?`	`string`	-
`summary?`	`string`	-
`consequence?`	`string`	-
`remedy?`	`string`	-
`notes?`	`string \| null`	-
`mfrNotes?`	`string`	-
`isSafetyRecall?`	`boolean`	-
`nhtsaActionNumber?`	`string`	-
`modelYear?`	`string`	-
`make?`	`string`	-
`model?`	`string`	-

Manufacturer Campaign Fields

Entries in manufacturerCampaigns are open OEM campaigns that are not NHTSA safety recalls, so they carry no nhtsaCampaignNumber and none of the NHTSA-catalog-only fields (component, parkIt, parkOutSide, overTheAirUpdate). All fields are optional and reflect whatever the manufacturer supplied.

Prop	Type	Default
`mfrCampaignNumber?`	`string`	-
`summary?`	`string`	-
`consequence?`	`string`	-
`remedy?`	`string`	-
`remedyAvailable?`	`boolean`	-
`reportReceivedDate?`	`string`	-
`mfrNotes?`	`string`	-

Example Response

The examples are illustrative: a VIN's answer changes as recalls are issued and remedied.

Vehicle with Open Recalls

data holds only the open recalls. openRecalls is the count in data; totalRecalls is the full campaign history for the year/make/model and may be larger (it includes campaigns already remedied for this VIN).

{
  "vehicle": { "year": 2025, "make": "Ford", "model": "Explorer", "vin": "1FMUK7DHXSGA27345" },
  "data": [
    {
      "manufacturer": "Ford Motor Company",
      "nhtsaCampaignNumber": "25V239000",
      "mfrCampaignNumber": "25S35",
      "remedyAvailable": true,
      "parkIt": false,
      "parkOutSide": false,
      "overTheAirUpdate": false,
      "reportReceivedDate": "11/04/2025",
      "component": "POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE",
      "summary": "Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles.  The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.",
      "consequence": "A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied.  An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power.  Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.",
      "remedy": "Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.  Ford's number for this recall is 25S35.",
      "notes": "Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.",
      "isSafetyRecall": true,
      "modelYear": "2025",
      "make": "FORD",
      "model": "EXPLORER"
    }
  ],
  "status": "1 Open Recall",
  "openRecalls": 1,
  "totalRecalls": 3,
  "manufacturerCampaigns": [
    {
      "mfrCampaignNumber": "25B12",
      "summary": "Customer Satisfaction Program: a front-camera calibration fault may affect certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. This is a manufacturer program, not a NHTSA safety recall, so it is listed here and not counted in openRecalls.",
      "remedy": "Dealers will recalibrate the front camera at no charge.",
      "remedyAvailable": true,
      "reportReceivedDate": "15/05/2025"
    }
  ],
  "manufacturerCampaignCount": 1,
  "retrievedAt": "2026-08-07T12:00:00.000Z"
}

Vehicle with No Open Recalls

When every recall for the VIN has been remedied, data is empty — while totalRecalls still reflects the full campaign history:

{
  "vehicle": { "year": 2023, "make": "Jeep", "model": "Compass", "vin": "3C4NJDBNXPT522408" },
  "data": [],
  "status": "No Open Recalls",
  "openRecalls": 0,
  "totalRecalls": 2,
  "retrievedAt": "2026-08-07T12:00:00.000Z"
}

Full Recall Catalog (`?recalls=true`)

Add ?recalls=true to also receive the complete make/model/year recall catalog — including already-remedied campaigns — in a separate recalls array. data still contains only open recalls. recalls lists each campaign once, and also holds any of the VIN's open recalls whose campaign the catalog does not list, so when no catalog is available it holds only those, and is an empty array if there are none. Catalog records use the field names documented under Open Recall Record Fields but carry only what the catalog supplies: the per-VIN fields mfrCampaignNumber, remedyAvailable, mfrNotes and isSafetyRecall are absent from them. An open recall added from data appears as it does there. A 2023 Jeep Compass with no open recalls:

{
  "vehicle": { "year": 2023, "make": "Jeep", "model": "Compass", "vin": "3C4NJDBNXPT522408" },
  "data": [],
  "status": "No Open Recalls",
  "openRecalls": 0,
  "totalRecalls": 2,
  "retrievedAt": "2026-08-07T12:00:00.000Z",
  "recalls": [
    {
      "manufacturer": "Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)",
      "nhtsaCampaignNumber": "23V576000",
      "parkIt": false,
      "parkOutSide": false,
      "overTheAirUpdate": false,
      "reportReceivedDate": "2023-08-14",
      "component": "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL",
      "summary": "Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Compass vehicles.  The brightness level of the instrument panel cluster (IPC) may not be adjustable due to incorrect software in the body control module (BCM).  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, \"Control and Displays.\"",
      "consequence": "An IPC display that is not bright enough may not clearly show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.",
      "remedy": "Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2023.  Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.  FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 88A.",
      "notes": "Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.",
      "modelYear": "2023",
      "make": "JEEP",
      "model": "COMPASS"
    },
    {
      "manufacturer": "Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)",
      "nhtsaCampaignNumber": "24V436000",
      "parkIt": false,
      "parkOutSide": false,
      "overTheAirUpdate": true,
      "reportReceivedDate": "2024-06-13",
      "component": "BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA",
      "summary": "Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles.  The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, \"Rear Visibility.\"",
      "consequence": "A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.",
      "remedy": "Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, \"Over-The-Air,\" free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024.  Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.  FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.",
      "notes": "Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.",
      "modelYear": "2023",
      "make": "JEEP",
      "model": "COMPASS"
    }
  ]
}

Every record, in data and in recalls, has the shape documented under Open Recall Record Fields. Fields a source did not supply are absent, and notes may be null.

Critical Safety Classifications

Immediate Action Required

Park It (parkIt: true) - DO NOT DRIVE - Vehicle poses immediate safety risk and should not be operated until repaired
Park Outside (parkOutSide: true) - FIRE/EXPLOSION RISK - Vehicle should be parked away from structures, garages, and other vehicles

Resolution Methods

Over-the-Air Update (overTheAirUpdate: true) - Can be resolved via software update without dealership visit
Dealer Service Required - Physical repair or part replacement needed at authorized service center

Recall Status Types

Open - Recall announced, remedy not yet available
Remedy Available - Fix is available, customer action required
In Progress - Customer has scheduled or begun remedy process

Use Cases

Pre-Purchase Inspections: Identify vehicles requiring immediate attention before sale
Safety Alert Systems: Notify owners of critical recalls requiring immediate action
Fleet Management: Prioritize vehicles needing urgent recall remediation
Insurance Risk Assessment: Evaluate vehicles with unresolved safety issues

Differences from Vehicle Recalls API

Feature	Vehicle Recalls API	Open Recalls API
Scope	All historical recalls	Only active/unresolved recalls
Use Case	Complete recall history	Immediate action items
Status Filter	All statuses	Open, In Progress, Remedy Available
Response Size	Larger (historical data)	Smaller (active only)

Error Responses

Errors come wrapped in an error object. Every error response also carries the api and user blocks that successful responses have, omitted from the examples below.

Invalid VIN

A malformed VIN answers 400 with code INVALID_VIN_FORMAT, and the response also carries the VIN as sent, vinValid: false and examples to try:

{
  "error": {
    "status": 400,
    "error": "VIN must be exactly 17 characters containing only letters and numbers (excluding I, O, Q)",
    "code": "INVALID_VIN_FORMAT",
    "path": "/openrecalls/1GYKPD",
    "requestId": "a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8"
  },
  "vin": "1GYKPD",
  "vinValid": false
}

A well-formed VIN can also answer 400 with VIN_CHECKSUM_FAILED ("Check digit failed: …") or VIN_DECODE_FAILED ("Unable to decode vehicle information from VIN"). Those carry the error object only.

VIN Not Found

{
  "error": {
    "status": 404,
    "error": "No vehicle data found for the provided VIN",
    "code": "VIN_NOT_FOUND",
    "path": "/openrecalls/1FTFW3LDXRFB40317",
    "requestId": "b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9"
  }
}

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