Video
How to Check an RV for Recalls by VIN
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Summary
Enter the RV’s 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see unrepaired safety recalls from the past 15 calendar years. The lookup misses some small manufacturers, and an RV can have a chassis maker and a living-area maker, so also search by year, make and model and check each manufacturer. Recall remedies are free.
Read the full step-by-step guide, with every official source.
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Full transcript
0:02 How do you check an RV for open safety recalls?
0:06 Start with the VIN.
0:08 Find the 17-character VIN and enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0:15 The free tool shows unrepaired safety recalls from the past 15 calendar years.
0:20 A clean result reads zero unrepaired recalls.
0:24 But the tool doesn't cover some small manufacturers, completed recalls, very new recalls or international vehicles.
0:31 An RV can have two makers, one for the chassis and one for the living area.
0:36 So also search NHTSA by year, make and model, and check each manufacturer.
0:42 If a recall is open, the remedy is free.
0:46 NHTSA says it can be a repair, a replacement, a refund or, in rare cases, a repurchase.
0:53 Manufacturers notify owners by mail within 60 days, and NHTSA suggests checking twice a year.
0:59 The step-by-step guide is at OpenSkiesRV.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is the NHTSA recall check free?
Yes. The VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls is free, and recall repairs are free from the manufacturer.
Why does my RV show no recalls when I know there was one?
NHTSA’s VIN tool doesn’t show completed recalls, very new recalls, recalls over 15 years old, or recalls by small manufacturers. Search by year, make and model and check the maker’s site.
Does a travel trailer have its own VIN?
Yes. Towable RVs have their own VIN on the registration and a label on the trailer. Check the owner’s manual for its location.
Sources
Related guides
How Do You Check an RV for Open Recalls by VIN?
How to look up open safety recalls on a motorhome or towable RV with NHTSA’s free VIN tool, what the result covers and misses, why smaller RV makers need a second check, and what to do if a recall is open.
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Education only: general information, not legal, insurance, mechanical or other professional advice for your situation. Rules, fees, recalls and campground policies change and vary by state, park and manufacturer, so check the official source we link, your RV’s manual or a qualified technician before you act. We may earn money from ads and paid links; our advice isn’t for sale.