When a manufacturer or federal regulators identify a safety defect, the manufacturer must notify owners and fix it at no charge. That obligation follows the vehicle, not the original buyer, so a car you bought used with an unrepaired recall is still repaired free at a franchised dealer.
How to check
Look up the vehicle identification number at NHTSA's recall tool. It returns unrepaired safety recalls for that specific vehicle from the last 15 years. The VIN appears on the dashboard at the base of the windshield, on the driver's door jamb, and on your registration and insurance documents.
A result of no open recalls means either none was issued or the work was already done by a previous owner.
What is and is not covered
Safety recalls are free indefinitely. There is no expiry and no mileage limit.
Emissions recalls are also free, under separate federal rules.
Technical service bulletins are not recalls. They are repair instructions issued to dealers for known issues, and the work is chargeable unless the vehicle is under warranty.
Customer satisfaction campaigns sit between the two: manufacturer-funded goodwill repairs, often time-limited.
Two practical notes
Recall repairs must be done at a franchised dealer for that brand, not an independent shop, because the manufacturer reimburses the dealer directly.
Parts availability sometimes lags the recall notice, particularly for large campaigns. If a dealer says parts are unavailable, ask to be placed on the list and ask whether an interim remedy exists. For serious defects, manufacturers occasionally provide loaner vehicles.
Registering to be told
Manufacturers notify registered owners by mail, which only works if your address is current with your state motor vehicle agency. Updating your registration address after a move is the step that keeps recall notices reaching you. You can also sign up for alerts by VIN through NHTSA.