Perhaps you’ve heard the buzz about Ford’s recalls over time. In 2023 alone, Ford recalled 1.5 million vehicles for issues like faulty brake hoses and windshield wipers, according to the safety recall report from NHTSA.

You may wonder – how can I check if my Ford vehicle is subject to a recall? Whether you’re planning to buy a used Ford or currently own one, you can easily look up recall information using your car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

Read on to learn the simple steps to see if your Ford has an outstanding safety recall.

About the Ford recalls

What’s a Ford recall?

Not every vehicle is perfectly built. As with other automotive brands, manufacturing flaws may be found in some specific Ford models. These vehicles in question will be recalled for repair by Ford to keep its customers as safe as possible.

Although not all Ford recalls are due to safety-related defects such as trailer brake dysfunctionality and low transmission fluid pressure, it’s still crucial to be aware of any recalls and have a clear picture of a Ford car.

Why do we need to check for Ford recalls?

1. Peace of mind

Normally, the original owner of a Ford car will be notified by email of any recall information. But if you’re a succeeding owner, you may lose out on the recall notifications. In this case, you’ll need to check for the Ford recall by yourself and schedule repairs before you can drive your Ford with confidence.

2. Informed decision making

For people looking to buy a used Ford vehicle, performing a recall check beforehand is also beneficial. Knowing more about the recall and other useful info about the car may help you make a more informed decision and possibly negotiate a better deal with your dealer.

3. Resale value

If you plan to sell your car one day and your Ford has active recalls, lacking repair documentation or history can impact your ability to resell or trade-in your car. Fixing existing recalls relieves your future buyers’s doubts.

4. Cost savings

All repairs for Ford recall issues are free if addressed proactively. If there is a recall on your car, it’s better to get it done before you pay out of pocket for breakdowns or accidents related to the defect down the road. Additionally, if your car has a recall and you’ve paid to fix the issue tied to the recall before, you may get a refund from your Ford dealer.

Two steps to run a Ford recall Lookup

After learning the importance of the Ford recall check, it’s time to take the two steps below to run a recall lookup for your car.

If you’re not an owner yet and just checking the Ford information before you make a purchase, following step 1 is all you need to do. Step 2 is for the owner who needs to get the recall work done.

Step 1: Check recall information by VIN

The most accurate and easy way to check if your Ford is subjected to any recall is to do it by VIN. You can try option 1 or 2 to get basic Ford recall info. Or, you can useprofessional VIN lookup services in options 3 – 4 to obtain not only recall info but also in-depth vehicle history reports.

Option 1 – Ford’s official site

Ford’s official website supports recall checks. For basic recall info, you can go to its RECALLS page, enter a Ford VIN, and see whether the car is listed.

Number:

Option 2 – NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a federal agency that aims to improve transportation safety. It also provides a free VIN lookup service for people to check for basic safety recall information from the past 15 calendar years.

Option 3 – BeenVerified

BeenVerified is one of the most popular and reliable public records search services. Powered by an approved NMVTIS data provider, BeenVerified is able to describe a vehicle with 150+ data points and compile a detailed VIN search report to help you be better informed about a Ford car.

Follow the steps below to run a VIN check:

1. Visit the BeenVerified VIN lookup page and enter the VIN number of a vehicle. Then click Search Now.

2. Wait for the search process to complete. After that, a report will be generated for you. In the report, you may see the Ford car’s recalls accident history, sale listings, market value, recalls, salvage records and more.

Option 4 – Bumper

Bumper is a leading vehicle history provider in the field for you to learn more about a Ford vehicle. With its data sourced from state-level agencies, auto insurance providers, and trusted car industry partners, you may find a car’s specs, recalls, accidents and salvage records, market value, and so on.

To use it for VIN lookup:

1. Go to the Bumper website, and fill in your VIN number. Then click SEARCH.
   
2. In a few minutes, Bumper will present you with a report including all the available details of the Ford vehicle.
   

Step 2: Get recall work done

Once you’ve checked your vehicle with the 17-digit VIN and found a recall that required your concern, getting the issue repaired should become a top priority. Here are some tips for handling Ford recall repairs smoothly:

• Contact your local Ford dealership – Just Google the nearest Ford or Lincoln dealer. Contact them to schedule an appointment to bring in your vehicle.
• Be prepared with paperwork – Bring your recall notice, VIN info, and any ownership documentation when dropping your car off for work. This helps facilitate the repair process.
• Verify repairs – Once recall work is complete, follow up on documentation verifying the specific repairs performed. Keep this for your records should issues arise later.
• Explore reimbursement – As mentioned above, if you previously paid for repairs related to a newly announced recall, ask about Ford’s reimbursement program eligibility.

Wrapping up

Safety comes first. Whether you own a Ford or are considering purchasing one, checking for recalls is always a good idea to avoid spending a fortune on repairs.

Also, having additional details about the Ford car can be instrumental in many ways. If you don’t play with your money and time, try the VIN lookup services like BeenVerified or Bumper to see how quickly and effectively you can get all the vehicle information.

_{Featured image by Caleb White on Unsplash}