Glossary (plain English)
This glossary explains common recall and NHTSA terms in plain English. It’s written to reduce panic and help you take the right next step.
If you need to confirm whether your specific vehicle has an open recall, do not guess from definitions. Use the official VIN check: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Quick navigation
- Recall basics
- Statuses and timelines
- Numbers and identifiers
- Signals and evidence (complaints, investigations)
- Service and repair language (dealers, TSBs)
- Ownership and paperwork (buying, selling, proof)
Recall basics
Recall
An official safety campaign for a defined group of vehicles. If your vehicle is included, the manufacturer must provide a remedy (usually a free repair, replacement, refund, or software update) through authorised channels.
Safety recall vs “service campaign”
A safety recall is an official campaign tied to safety regulations and public reporting. Some manufacturers also run “service campaigns” or “customer satisfaction programs” that are not always treated as recalls. If you are unsure, confirm by VIN using the official NHTSA tool and ask an authorised dealer what applies to your vehicle.
Defect
The problem the campaign addresses. It might be a part that fails, a design issue, or a software behavior. Not every defect becomes a recall.
Noncompliance
A failure to meet a safety standard (for example a labeling or lighting requirement). Noncompliance can still lead to a recall, even if the issue feels less dramatic than a part failure.
Remedy
The fix: a repair, replacement, refund, or software update. “Remedy” is the official term used in many recall records and letters.
Authorised dealer
A dealer approved by the manufacturer to perform recall remedies and record completion in the system. This matters because “completion” is what clears an open recall for a VIN.
Statuses and timelines
Open recall
A recall campaign applies to your VIN and the remedy has not been recorded as completed. “Open” is the status that matters for owners, buyers, and sellers.
Completed recall
The recall work has been performed and recorded for your VIN. Keep the repair order or invoice as proof. A “completed” recall can still appear in a vehicle’s history, but it should not be open for that VIN.
Remedy available
Dealers have the parts or software and the official instructions to perform the fix at scale. If your VIN shows an open recall and the remedy is available, you can typically schedule the free repair.
Remedy not yet available
The campaign exists, but the fix is not fully released at scale (or supply is constrained). This often happens in large campaigns that require manufacturing parts, distributing them, and publishing service steps. The calm next step is to have a dealer log your VIN and follow up periodically.
Interim notice
A notice sent before the final remedy is widely available. It may include temporary guidance. It does not automatically mean the vehicle is unsafe, but it does mean you should follow the instructions in the notice.
Stop drive / do not drive instruction
Language that indicates higher urgency. Recall Explained does not decide whether a vehicle is safe to drive. If official guidance tells you not to drive, follow that guidance and contact the manufacturer or an authorised dealer.
Owner letter / recall notice
A mailed notice sent to owners on record. People can miss letters for normal reasons (moving, buying used, timing). That is why VIN lookup is the robust habit.
Numbers and identifiers
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
A 17 character identifier unique to your vehicle. Recalls are ultimately decided at the VIN level. The authoritative check is the official NHTSA VIN lookup: nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall campaign number
An identifier for the recall campaign, effectively the “case file” for that recall. It helps you, a dealer, and the manufacturer refer to the same campaign without ambiguity.
Model year
The model year label (for example 2019) does not always equal the build date. Campaign scope is often based on build windows, parts, plant, or VIN ranges rather than the model year label alone.
Build date / production date
The date your vehicle was manufactured. This can matter because some campaigns only apply to vehicles built within a specific window.
Build range
The production window included in a campaign. Two vehicles of the same model year can have different recall status depending on when and where they were built.
Scope
The set of vehicles included in the recall. Scope might be described by VIN ranges, build dates, plants, trims, or specific part configurations.
Signals and evidence (complaints, investigations)
NHTSA complaint / owner complaint
A report submitted by an owner. Complaints can surface patterns, but they also include noise and bias. A complaint is not proof that a vehicle is defective or unsafe.
Complaint count
The number of complaints recorded for a model year. Raw counts can mislead because they are influenced by how many vehicles are on the road, how long they have existed, and attention spikes after news coverage. If you want to interpret the numbers calmly, use: NHTSA complaints: what the numbers mean.
Reporting bias
The idea that the “reported” world is not the same as the “real” world. Some issues are more likely to be reported than others, and reporting can spike after media coverage.
Investigation
A formal review process where a regulator examines information to determine whether a safety issue exists and what the scope might be. Investigations can lead to recalls, but not all do.
ODI (Office of Defects Investigation)
The part of NHTSA that handles defect investigations.
Field reports / warranty claims
Information collected by manufacturers from repairs, failures, and service patterns. These can be early signals that a defect trend exists.
Service and repair language (dealers, TSBs)
TSB (Technical Service Bulletin)
Service guidance for technicians. A TSB is not a recall. It may describe a known issue and a recommended repair, but it does not necessarily mean the repair is free.
Service bulletin vs recall
A recall is an official safety campaign with defined scope and a remedy path. A TSB is guidance that helps a technician diagnose or repair an issue. If you are unsure what applies to your vehicle, confirm by VIN and ask an authorised dealer.
Software update as a remedy
Some recalls are fixed by a software update. The important part is still “completion” for your VIN: the remedy must be performed and recorded.
Parts availability
The practical constraint that can delay repairs. A campaign can be announced before parts are widely available. If the remedy is not yet available, ask a dealer to log your VIN and follow up on a reasonable cadence.
Ownership and paperwork (buying, selling, proof)
Recall packet
A small set of documents that prevents future confusion: a dated VIN lookup result, recall notice letters (if any), and the dealer repair order showing completion.
Repair order / invoice
The paperwork showing what work was performed. For recalls, this is valuable proof that the remedy was completed.
Disclosure
When selling a vehicle, disclose facts without drama. If a recall is open, say so and provide the date of the VIN check. If completed, provide the paperwork.
PPI (Pre purchase inspection)
An inspection by a mechanic before you buy a used vehicle. Data cannot check the condition of a specific car. Use a PPI together with VIN lookup and calm recall context.
Buying used with open recalls
It can be workable if you confirm status by VIN, understand whether the remedy is available, and structure the purchase around clear documentation. See: Buying a car with open recalls.
Selling with open recalls
The clean path is to get the free remedy when available, disclose facts, and provide paperwork. See: Selling a car with open recalls.