Open Recalls & Class Action Settlements — Check Your Car

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Check YOUR specific VIN — free, official, instant

Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your 17-character VIN (found on your dashboard, driver door jamb, or registration). Takes 30 seconds. This is the only way to know for certain if YOUR vehicle has an open recall — make/model lists below won't catch every configuration.

⚠️ Major Active Recalls — Vehicles Most Likely Affected

As of 2024-2025. Always verify your specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — not every vehicle in a model range is affected.

Make / Model	Years	Issue	Risk Level	Status & Action
Takata Airbag Recall Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, BMW, Chrysler, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and more	2001-2015	Airbag inflator can explode, sending metal shrapnel into the cabin. Linked to over 30 deaths in the U.S. One of the largest auto recalls in history — over 67 million inflators recalled. Some VINs remain open.	CRITICAL	Do not drive if your VIN is flagged. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls immediately. Dealers must replace inflator at no charge.
Ford F-150 / Bronco	2021-2023	Rear axle housing fracture on certain 4WD models. Axle can crack, causing loss of drive and potential vehicle rollaway.	HIGH	Parts available at dealers. Schedule an inspection. Do not ignore if you have 4WD and notice vibration or clunking.
Hyundai / Kia Engine Fire Sonata, Optima, Elantra, Sportage, Sorento, Tucson — multiple campaigns	2011-2019	Engine can catch fire while parked or driving due to oil leak near the engine block (Theta II and Nu engines). NHTSA has issued multiple complaints and investigations. Park outside if possible.	CRITICAL	Extended warranty + inspection program active. Hyundai and Kia have issued a free software update (KSDS) that monitors for oil pressure drop. Take your vehicle in immediately. Do not park in garages.
GM 3.6L Timing Chain Silverado, Sierra, Acadia, Traverse, Equinox, Terrain	2010-2014	Timing chain wear and failure — engine may rattle on cold start, run rough, or shut down without warning. Can cause catastrophic engine damage if chain jumps or breaks.	HIGH	TSB issued (not a full recall on all VINs). Request a dealer inspection. If you hear a cold-start rattle, do not delay — chain replacement is $400-$2,000 vs. engine replacement.
Ram 1500	2019-2021	Tailgate latch can open unexpectedly while driving, creating an unsecured load hazard and risk of cargo or passengers falling from the bed.	MEDIUM	Software update available at dealer. NHTSA recall #20V-304. Schedule appointment — takes under an hour, no charge.
Toyota Sequoia / Tundra	2003-2008	Severe frame corrosion in rust-belt states (Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest). Frame can crack or break, causing structural failure of the vehicle.	HIGH	Toyota buyback program has largely ended, but some dealers will still inspect and apply anti-corrosion treatment. Get your frame inspected if you're in a high-salt region. NHTSA complaint database has ongoing reports.
Ford Explorer Police Interceptor and consumer models	2011-2017	Exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide) can enter the passenger cabin through body seams, door seals, and the liftgate. NHTSA received hundreds of complaints including reported injuries.	HIGH	NHTSA recall active. Dealers apply sealant to exhaust leak points and check for body seam gaps. Check your VIN — not all model years are covered equally.
Chevrolet / GMC Trucks & SUVs Silverado, Sierra, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Traverse, Acadia	2014-2018	Seat belt pretensioner can rupture on deployment, sending metal fragments toward occupants. Related to secondary Takata-type inflator components in seat belt assemblies.	HIGH	Recall active — replacement parts phased in. Check your VIN. If parts are on backorder, ask dealer for interim instructions.

How to find your VIN: It's the 17-character code on your driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the sticker inside your driver door jamb, or on your registration and insurance card. Never trust recall eligibility by model name alone — the same vehicle line can have both affected and unaffected VINs within the same model year.

⚖️ Class Action Settlements Currently Open

Settlements change status frequently. Verify current filing windows and eligibility at the links below before submitting a claim.

Case	Makes / Models	What You Can Claim	Deadline	Where to File
Honda CR-V 1.5T Oil Dilution	2017-2020 Honda CR-V with 1.5T engine; 2016-2020 Honda Civic with 1.5T engine	Extended warranty coverage for engine damage caused by gasoline mixing into the oil (common in cold climates). Reimbursement for qualifying out-of-pocket repair costs already paid.	Ongoing — check current status	hondacrvsettlement.com Verify site is still active before submitting
GM 8-Speed Transmission Shudder	2015-2019 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Silverado HD, Suburban, Tahoe, Colorado; GMC Sierra, Sierra HD, Yukon, Yukon XL, Canyon	Torque converter shudder at highway speeds. Settlement includes: transmission fluid exchange at no cost, extended powertrain warranty for transmission components, and cash reimbursement for prior repair costs directly related to the shudder defect.	Ongoing — varies by state	Search "GM 8-speed transmission shudder settlement" with your model year, or check nhtsa.gov complaint database for your VIN
Kia / Hyundai Theta II Engine Seizure	2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe Sport; 2011-2019 Kia Optima, Sorento, Sportage — with Theta II 2.0T or 2.4L GDI engine	Engine seizure and failure due to manufacturing debris left in the engine block. Compensation includes: engine replacement, reimbursement for towing and rental car costs, and cash payment for vehicles with documented engine failures. Extended warranty (10 yr / 150k miles on qualifying vehicles).	Check current filing status	nhtsa.gov/recalls for open campaigns + top100cases.com for settlement tracker
Ford F-150 / Ranger Ecoboost Carbon Buildup	2011-2019 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost; 2019-2021 Ranger with 2.3L EcoBoost	Excessive carbon buildup on intake valves due to direct injection design causes rough idle, misfires, and power loss. Class action seeks engine cleaning service reimbursement and extended coverage for documented repairs.	Ongoing litigation — no final settlement yet	Search "Ford EcoBoost carbon buildup class action" for current case status. Document your repair receipts now.
Subaru Head Gasket / Oil Consumption	2011-2015 Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza, XV Crosstrek with 2.5L DOHC engine	Excessive oil consumption and head gasket failure under normal driving conditions. Settlement included an extended warranty (8 yr / 100k miles) and reimbursement for out-of-pocket repairs. Check if your vehicle and repair date qualify.	Reimbursement window may be closed — check dealer for warranty extension	Contact your Subaru dealer — extended warranty may still apply to your VIN even if cash claim window is closed

Important: Class action settlement websites and claim windows change frequently. Always verify a settlement is still accepting claims before entering personal information. When in doubt, search the case name plus the current year (e.g., "GM 8-speed settlement 2025") to confirm current status.

📲 How to Stay Informed — Free

These tools notify you automatically when a new recall is issued for your specific vehicle.

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NHTSA Email Alerts (by VIN)

Go to safercar.gov and register your VIN. NHTSA emails you directly when a recall is issued for your specific vehicle. Free. No spam. This is the most reliable way to get notified — it's the official federal database.
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SaferCar App (iOS / Android)

Download the free SaferCar app from NHTSA. Add your vehicles by VIN and receive push notifications for new recalls. You can track multiple vehicles (great for families). Available on the App Store and Google Play.
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Carfax Free Recall Check

Enter your VIN at carfax.com/recall for a free recall status check. Useful as a second source and for checking a vehicle before buying it used. Pulls from NHTSA data plus Carfax's own database.
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NHTSA Complaints Database

Even if no recall has been issued yet, check nhtsa.gov/vehicle/complaints to see if other owners of your vehicle are reporting the same problem. High complaint volumes often precede official recall announcements.

Never pay for a recall repair. Federal law (the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act) requires dealers to fix open recalls at no charge to the vehicle owner — regardless of whether the vehicle is still under warranty, how old it is, or how many miles it has. If a dealer tries to charge you for a recall repair, report it to NHTSA at safercar.gov.

🛠️ Tip: Check before you buy. Always run a VIN recall check before purchasing a used vehicle. An open recall is a negotiating point — either have the dealer fix it before sale, or use it to lower the price. Sellers are not required to disclose open recalls in most states.