NHTSA VIN Check | Vehicle Specs, Recalls Lookup

NHTSA stands for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a U.S. government agency. It not only regulates vehicle safety standards but also offers a valuable service to the public – a free VIN check and vehicle report. Curious about what information this service provides? Let’s delve into the details.

What is NHTSA?

What does NHTSA focus on?

How to run a reverse VIN check on NHTSA?

NHTSA enables individuals to obtain information about a vehicle’s make, model, engine type, and other relevant details.

Note that the information available through its VIN decoder is primarily related to safety recalls and campaigns. While it provides valuable safety-related information, it may not include all the details about the vehicle, such as ownership history or maintenance records.

Collect the Vehicle Identification Number of the vehicle. Where to find it?
Visit the NHTSA VIN check webpage.
Enter the VIN number and click Decode VIN.
You should see the information in the same page.

While the NHTSA VIN check offers a wealth of essential information such as manufacturer details, model year, body class, and engine model, you might notice certain crucial details missing (highlighted in red boxes in the image above).

Therefore, if you’re seeking a more comprehensive vehicle report, you may find that the NHTSA VIN check falls short of your needs. That’s where we step in. Below, we present a selection of both free and paid online VIN decoder tools that can help you unearth deeper insights into your vehicle’s history.

Online VIN check

Tools recommended in this post are all approved NMVTIS data providers and NHTSA is one of their data sources.

– BeenVerified

Founded in 2007, BeenVerified has been at the forefront of providing simple yet reliable search tools to the public. With extensive data sources of vehicle records, it empowers users to access critical information such as vehicle specifications, engine size, ownership history, accident reports, title details, and much more.

Go to the BeenVerified vehicle search page.
Enter the VIN number and click Search.
It’ll scour its data source and generate a report with the available information about the vehicle. Once done, BeenVerified delivers an in-depth overview, from sale listings and accident history to recall records and market value (where available).

BeenVerified is a subscription-based service and you can access all search tools including phone, name, username, email, address lookup during subscription.

– Bumper

Specializing in vehicle information, Bumper has been a trusted resource for both prospective car buyers and sellers. Drawing from reputable sources such as NMVTIS, JD Power, and NHTSA, Bumper offers multiple tools and search options to cater to your vehicle-related inquiries.

Head to the Bumper homepage.
Choose from three search options: VIN, license plate, or model. Fill in the relevant information and initiate the search.
A well-structured report will be generated for you. The report is based on data available and may include historical accident reports from 32 state-level agencies.

Besides, you can browse the vehicle’s history by checking sections like specifications, ownership records, accident history, maintenance records, and more.

– Local DMV

Generally, you can submit a form and pay a fee to get car records from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). But rules may vary in different states. You can check a vehicle request document provided by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to find out your state’s law. Follow their guidelines to finish the request.

– Free tools

While a simple Google search for “free VIN decoder” can yield a plethora of results, exercise caution when engaging with these tools.

Many may lure you in with promises of free services only to later prompt you to subscribe or pay for access to comprehensive records. For example, driving tests offer a free VIN check, providing basic info about a vehicle. But when it comes to informative records, it invites users to jump to Bumper and pay a fee for it.

Furthermore, safeguard your personal information while using these free tools, as some may collect and sell your data for profit.

Where to find VIN?

Locate the VIN on the car

✨ The lower left-hand side of the dashboard
✨ The front of the car frame, near the windshield washer container
✨ In the trunk, covered by the spare tire
✨ Driver-side doorpost or doorjamb with the door open
✨ Peek in the rear wheel well

Find the VIN on the paperwork

✨ Title document
✨ Registration card
✨ Owner’s manual that comes with the car
✨ Insurance card or policy

Call the dealership or manufacturer

If you fail to find the VIN, call your dealer or manufacturer and provide your car’s make and model. They may specify where to find your VIN.

There’s no guarantee you’ll find the information you’re looking for with the tools discussed in this article. They all source their information from publicly available data sources, such as county, state and federal courts, government departments, and police records, and those sources may contain incorrect or incomplete data. It’s illegal to use these tools to make decisions about employment, admission, consumer credit, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. Read the Fair Credit Reporting Act to learn more....

# VIN lookup

About this article

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Reviewed by BeenVerified

Yuki Huang

Writer

Yuki's curiosity knows no bounds when it comes to knowledge. With two years of programming under her belt, she's embarked on thrilling projects that showcase her unique blend of creativity and analytical acumen. From developing a captivating poetry website to diving into the depths of data analysis and venturing into the world of mobile app development, she became excellent at Internet research and data mining.

But her journey doesn't end in the classroom. Prior to joining Super Easy, she has honed her writing skills as a contributor at SHEIN, delved into the intricacies of marketing as a specialist for an international e-commerce company, facilitated dreams as an educational consultant for a company assisting individuals in studying abroad, and lent her IT expertise as an assistant for britishcouncil.org. This breadth of experience has enriched her perspective on the digital landscape, making her a true expert in uncovering hidden gems on the web.

Yet, Yuki's interests extend far beyond the digital realm. When she's not crafting informative content, she's often found taking refreshing dips in the pool, embarking on thrilling adventures around the globe, or immersing herself in the captivating realm of theater. These passions not only rejuvenate her spirit but also serve as a wellspring of creativity, ensuring that her writing remains vibrant, engaging, and relatable.