US vehicle lookup by VIN. Specs, recalls, complaints and investigations.

Enter a 17-character VIN to see vehicle specifications, safety recalls, complaints and investigations from official NHTSA data.

Built for
Shops checking a car before a job, and anyone about to buy one.
Works in
US vehicles only. The data comes from NHTSA, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Your data
The VIN goes to autoGMS, which looks it up with NHTSA. No account needed.

0 / 17 Letters and numbers only. US vehicles only.

A VIN lookup shows:

  • Vehicle specifications and technical details
  • Safety recalls
  • Consumer complaints and reported issues
  • NHTSA safety investigations
  • Manufacturing details

How the lookup works. And where the data stops.

  • The VIN is decoded first

    autoGMS sends the VIN to NHTSA’s decoder and shows what the manufacturer reported, such as make, model, year, engine and where the car was built. Fields NHTSA doesn’t have are left out.

  • Complaints and investigations cover the model

    They are for every vehicle of that make, model and year, not only this car.

  • Confirm open recalls by VIN

    To check whether this exact car still has an open recall, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a dealer for that make.

  • US vehicles only

    NHTSA covers vehicles sold in the US. A VIN from another market may decode only partly, or not at all.

  • A failed lookup is not a clean record

    NHTSA’s services are sometimes slow or down. When a section can’t load, the tool says so instead of showing zero results.

In autoGMS, you can search customers by name, phone, plate or VIN to see their vehicles, past work, estimates and files. See customer and vehicle history

Questions about this tool

How accurate is the vehicle information?
The tool asks NHTSA’s databases each time you search, so you see what NHTSA has on file that day. The data includes recall information and technical specifications maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Where can I find my VIN?
The 17-character VIN is in several places:
  • Driver’s side dashboard, near the windshield
  • Driver’s side door jamb
  • Vehicle registration
  • Insurance card or policy documents
  • Vehicle title and other ownership documents
What information can I see with the VIN lookup?
The lookup shows:
  • Vehicle specifications and technical details
  • Safety recalls
  • Consumer complaints and reported issues
  • NHTSA safety investigations
  • Manufacturing details
Is this VIN lookup free?
Yes. It’s free and needs no account. Enter a 17-character VIN to see what NHTSA has on file.
What should I do if the vehicle has an open recall?
Contact an authorized dealer for that make. Safety recall repairs are normally free, whether or not you’re the original owner. Safety recalls are serious, so get them fixed promptly.

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