Prices & New Models
How Car Model Years Work and Why the Build Date Matters
A 2027 car can be built in early 2026. The model year sets resale value and most deals, while the build date can decide whether a recall applies.
Tag: recalls
Recalls & Safety
NHTSA Investigation Stages: From Complaint to Recall
What the letters PE, EA, RQ, DP and AQ mean on a federal safety probe, how long each stage is meant to take, and when an owner should act.
Recalls & Safety
Do Not Drive and Park Outside Recalls: What Owners Should Do
The two most urgent recall warnings, what each one asks of you, and how to get the car to the dealer without driving it.
Recalls & Safety
Technical Service Bulletins: What a TSB Is and How to Find One
Service bulletins tell dealers how to fix common problems. Knowing that one exists for your car can save hours of diagnosis and sometimes the repair bill.
Recalls & Safety
How to Check Car Recalls by VIN or License Plate for Free
A free federal lookup tells you in seconds whether your car has an unrepaired safety recall and whether parts for the fix are ready yet.
Recalls & Safety
How to Report a Vehicle Safety Problem to NHTSA
Filing a safety complaint takes about 10 minutes. Here is what to have ready, what happens after you hit submit, and why one report can matter.
Plants & Jobs
What Happens to Your Car If the Automaker Goes Bankrupt
Your car keeps running after the company fails, but warranty claims, recalls, parts and software can all change. Past cases show how.
Recalls & Safety
Are Recall Repairs Free? Who Pays and the 15-Year Limit
Federal law makes the automaker pay for safety recall repairs, with no warranty needed. The exceptions are age, tires and work done before the recall was announced.
Recalls & Safety
Tire Recall Check: How to Use the DOT Number on Your Tires
Tire recalls are tracked by the code molded into the sidewall, not by your car's VIN. A few minutes with a flashlight tells you whether your set is affected.
Recalls & Safety
Over-the-Air Recalls: How Software Fixes Count as Recalls
A software update sent to your car can be a formal safety recall with a recall number and owner letter. Here is how OTA recalls work and how to confirm the fix reached your car.