Safety
How to Check a Used Car for Open Recalls
Check a used car's VIN for open recalls, understand a zero-result search, and resolve repair status before deciding to buy or drive the vehicle.
Research & guides
Safety
Reviewed safety and recall information with visible source references.
Safety
Using NHTSA Records to Research a Used Car
Use NHTSA complaints, investigations, and manufacturer communications to identify useful questions without treating raw records as a reliability score.
Safety
What NHTSA Five-Star Safety Ratings Tell a Car Shopper
Understand NHTSA crash and rollover ratings, which vehicles can be compared, and why a high overall score still deserves a closer look.