Are Recall Repairs Free? Your Rights Explained
Safety recall repairs are free at franchised dealers by federal law, with exceptions. What is covered, the 15-year limit, and what to do if a dealer stalls.
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Yes, in almost every case. When a manufacturer issues a safety recall on a car, federal law requires it to fix the defect without charging the owner. That applies whether you are the first owner or the fifth, whether the car is under warranty or not, and whether you bought it from a dealer or a private seller.
There are limits, though: an age cutoff, a few types of costs that are not covered, and practical problems like parts shortages. This guide explains how the free remedy works and what to do when it does not go smoothly. It is general information, not legal advice.
The basic rule
Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety defect, or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard, the manufacturer must notify owners and remedy the problem without charge. The law gives the manufacturer three ways to do that:
- Repair the vehicle
- Replace it with an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle
- Refund the purchase price, less a reasonable allowance for depreciation
The manufacturer chooses which. In nearly all car recalls, the remedy is a repair at a franchised dealer, such as a part replacement, an inspection, or a software update.
You can read NHTSA's own overview of how recalls work and what owners can expect on nhtsa.gov/recalls (opens in a new tab).
What "free" covers
| Covered at no charge | Usually not covered by the law |
|---|---|
| Parts needed for the recall remedy | Towing to the dealer (some manufacturers provide it anyway) |
| Labor for the recall remedy | Rental car or loaner (often offered, not required) |
| Inspection called for in the recall | Lost wages or time off work |
| Software updates that are the remedy | Unrelated repairs the dealer recommends during the visit |
| Diagnosis to confirm the recall applies | Damage from the defect before the recall (case by case) |
- Parts needed for the recall remedy
- Usually not covered by the law
- Towing to the dealer (some manufacturers provide it anyway)
- Labor for the recall remedy
- Usually not covered by the law
- Rental car or loaner (often offered, not required)
- Inspection called for in the recall
- Usually not covered by the law
- Lost wages or time off work
- Software updates that are the remedy
- Usually not covered by the law
- Unrelated repairs the dealer recommends during the visit
- Diagnosis to confirm the recall applies
- Usually not covered by the law
- Damage from the defect before the recall (case by case)
Manufacturers often go beyond the legal minimum for serious recalls. For "do not drive" campaigns, many offer towing, mobile repair or a loaner. Ask; the answer varies by manufacturer and by recall.
The exceptions
Vehicles more than 15 years old
The free remedy requirement does not apply if the vehicle was first sold to a buyer more than 15 years before the defect notice. In practice this means older vehicles may receive a recall notice but not a free fix. Some manufacturers repair older vehicles anyway, especially for serious defects. The recall notice states whether your vehicle is eligible.
Tires
Tire recalls have their own rules and shorter deadlines for presenting the tire for a free remedy. Read the recall notice carefully and act promptly. Registering tires with the manufacturer when you buy them is the best way to make sure you get the notice.
Equipment and child seats
Recalls on car seats and aftermarket equipment are handled by the equipment's manufacturer, not the car's. Remedies are often a free repair kit or replacement part shipped to you.
Non-safety campaigns
Not every "campaign" is a safety recall. Customer satisfaction programs, extended warranty coverage on specific parts, and technical service bulletins (TSBs) are not governed by the same free-remedy rule. They may still be free, sometimes only within a certain age or mileage, but the terms are set by the manufacturer. Ask the dealer to list all open campaigns on your VIN and which are safety recalls.
If you already paid for the repair
Manufacturers are required to have a plan for reimbursing owners who paid to fix the defect themselves before the recall was announced. The plan defines an eligibility window, usually covering a period before the recall, and what documentation you need. The recall notice letter describes how to apply.
To claim reimbursement:
- Find the repair invoice, ideally showing the date, mileage, VIN and the specific part replaced.
- Read the recall letter or the manufacturer's owner site for the reimbursement process and deadline.
- Submit copies, not originals, and keep a record of when you sent them.
If you had the repair done by an independent shop, it may still qualify, depending on the manufacturer's plan. A repair done after the recall is announced, at a shop other than a dealer, generally is not reimbursed.
This is one reason to keep every repair invoice. Storing receipts and repair records in your free CarManager garage means you can find the paperwork years later if a recall is issued for a part you already replaced.
How to get the repair done
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (opens in a new tab), or follow our guide to checking recalls by VIN. Write down the campaign number.
- Call any franchised dealer for that brand. You do not have to go to the dealer that sold you the car, and you do not have to be the original owner.
- Ask the key questions: Are parts available? How long is the repair? Is a loaner, rental or towing offered?
- Get a repair order at drop-off and a completed order at pickup that shows the recall work.
- Recheck the VIN a few weeks later to confirm the recall shows as complete.
When the remedy is not available yet
Some recalls are announced before the fix is ready, because the defect is serious enough that owners need to be warned now. The VIN check will say "remedy not yet available." In the meantime:
- Follow any interim instructions in the notice, such as "park outside" or not using a certain feature.
- Ask the manufacturer about interim help, such as a loaner, for serious defects.
- You will get a second notice when parts are ready. Make sure your registration address is current.
Our guide on do not drive and park outside recalls covers the most serious cases.
If the dealer refuses or stalls
Most recall visits go smoothly. When they do not:
- Ask for the refusal in writing, including the reason, and the name of the service manager.
- Try another franchised dealer. Parts allocation and scheduling vary by location.
- Call the manufacturer's customer service line, listed in your owner's manual and on its owner website. Give the VIN, campaign number and dealer name. Ask for a case number.
- File a complaint with NHTSA if you cannot get the remedy in a reasonable time, or the remedy did not fix the problem. See our guide on filing an NHTSA complaint. You can also call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
- For disputes about money or damages, your state attorney general's consumer protection office or a lawyer can explain options under your state's laws. The FTC's consumer advice on auto repairs and warranties (opens in a new tab) is a useful starting point.
What about damage caused by the defect?
The federal recall law requires the manufacturer to remedy the defect. It does not create an automatic right to compensation for damage the defect caused before the repair. Some manufacturers cover related damage as goodwill or under a specific program; in other cases it may be an insurance or legal matter. Document everything: photos, repair invoices, and dates. This is an area where a lawyer's advice matters more than general information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for a recall repair if I bought the car used?
No. The free remedy follows the vehicle, not the original buyer. Any owner can take an eligible vehicle to a franchised dealer for the recall repair, subject to the 15-year age limit.
Do I have to go to the dealer where I bought the car?
No. Any franchised dealer for that brand in the US can perform the recall repair. Independent shops cannot perform recall repairs for credit or reimbursement.
Will the dealer give me a loaner car for a recall?
Federal law does not generally require one. Many manufacturers provide loaners or rentals for longer repairs or serious "do not drive" recalls. Ask when you schedule.
Is there a deadline to get a recall fixed?
For most vehicle recalls there is no deadline, as long as the vehicle met the age rule when the recall was announced. Tire recalls have short deadlines. Some reimbursement claims also have deadlines, which are listed in the recall notice.
Are technical service bulletins free like recalls?
Not necessarily. A TSB is a repair guide the manufacturer sends to dealers. Whether it is free depends on your warranty coverage or a specific manufacturer program. Safety recalls are free by law; TSBs are not automatically free.
Look it up on CarManager
General guidance, not professional advice. Intervals, specifications and legal requirements vary by vehicle, manufacturer and state: your owner’s manual, a qualified mechanic and your state agency come first. Costs mentioned are estimates. Our data sources.