Find out if your car has an open recall

​In recent months, automakers Ford, Hyundai and Tesla have issued recalls for everything from faulty airbags and brakes to defective high-tech displays. And while manufacturers try to notify owners of recalled cars, thousands of drivers never get the word, especially if they purchased their cars used. A few years ago, a study by J.D. Power and Associates estimated that one in six cars on the road has an outstanding recall.

You can find out if your car is among them by entering its VIN on safercar.gov, hosted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To find your VIN, look on the dashboard (driver's side) or on the driver's side door post. Or, if you've downloaded our free GO PEMCO app for iPhone^® and Android™, it's right at your fingertips.

The tool looks for uncompleted recalls dating back 15 years. If your car is up to date, the site will show zero open recalls. If you've missed a recall, it will tell you which one so you can contact your local dealership to schedule a repair. (Recall repairs are free, with costs covered by the manufacturer.)

Make visiting safercar.gov a part of your car's annual maintenance, especially if you're not the car's original owner or don't use a dealer for routine service. It's quick, easy and free.