Stage 1 · Information request

VIN-specific recall inquiry

When you want a written record of which recalls apply to your VIN.

Send to:

Manufacturer

Purpose:

Information request

Response window:

30 days

This is the lowest-stakes letter you'll write. You're asking the manufacturer to confirm which open recalls apply to your specific vehicle, and the status of any remedy actions. Owners have a clear right to this information; manufacturers have a legal obligation to respond.

Use this template before escalating to dealer or regulator. It establishes a documented record that you have requested information through proper channels.

Letter template

[Your name]
[Your address]
[City, Province/State, Postal/Zip code]
[Your email]
[Your phone]

[Date]

[Manufacturer Customer Service Department]
[Manufacturer mailing address]

Re: Recall status inquiry — VIN [your 17-character VIN]

Dear [Manufacturer] Customer Service:

I am the registered owner of a [year] [make] [model], VIN [your 17-character VIN]. I am writing to request written confirmation of which open safety recalls apply to my specific vehicle, and the current status of any remedy actions associated with those recalls.

Specifically, please provide:

1. A complete list of all open NHTSA / Transport Canada / DVSA safety recall campaigns that include my VIN within the affected population.

2. For each open campaign: the campaign number, the date of campaign issuance, the nature of the defect, and the current availability of the remedy at authorized service centers in my region.

3. For each campaign where the remedy is “under development” or otherwise not yet available: the manufacturer’s current estimated availability date for the remedy.

4. Confirmation of which recall campaigns (if any) have been completed on my specific VIN, and the date of each completion.

I understand that some of this information may be available through your VIN search portal online. However, I am requesting written confirmation directly from the manufacturer for my records.

I would appreciate a response within 30 days of receipt of this letter. Please send your response to the email and mailing address above.

Sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your typed name]

Bracketed fields like [year] and [your 17-character VIN] are placeholders for you to fill in with your specific information.