Read the VIN.
Then check open recalls.
Type the number from the windshield. WMI, VDS, and VIS split as you go — then see factory specs and open recalls on the same page.
What the free VIN check shows
What the free NHTSA vPIC decode returns, plus the open recall lookup.
Maker (WMI)
The first three characters: brand, country and vehicle type.
Model & year
Model, trim and model year from the NHTSA vPIC record.
Engine
Cylinders, displacement, fuel and horsepower where the maker reports them.
Body
Body style, doors and drive type as filed by the factory.
Assembly plant
Plant city and country, read from the VIN and vPIC.
Safety
Factory airbags, ABS and stability control.
Recalls
Open NHTSA safety campaigns for that make, model and year.
Guides
Free guides on title washing, odometer fraud and auctions for the rest.
How it works
Three steps from windshield to recall check — no account needed to decode.
Enter the VIN
Paste or type the 17 characters from the windshield or door jamb. Invalid letters (I, O, Q) are stripped as you go.
See WMI · VDS · VIS
Vinny splits the number live: who built it, what it is, which unit it is — before the NHTSA lookup runs.
Check specs & recalls
The free NHTSA vPIC decode shows engine, plant and trim, and lists open safety recalls for that model and year.
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What the free VIN check shows
Every 17-character VIN follows the ISO 3779 format: the first three characters identify the manufacturer, characters four to eight describe the vehicle, and the rest give the model year, assembly plant and serial number (in North America, the ninth is a check digit). Our free decoder sends that number to NHTSA's vPIC database, which holds the data automakers report to the federal government, and shows you the factory build: model, trim, engine, body, drive type and assembly plant.
The same lookup lists NHTSA safety recalls for that make, model and model year. Our model pages go further: for 318 models they gather NHTSA owner complaints, technical service bulletins and defect investigations, Transport Canada recalls, EPA fuel economy, NCAP safety ratings and alternative-fuel data from NREL, each with its source.
We don't provide vehicle history reports. Accidents, title brands, odometer readings, theft and insurance claims aren't in NHTSA's data, and we don't show them. For title brands, the federal NMVTIS program is the official source, and an independent mechanic's pre-purchase inspection catches what no database records.
FAQ
Common questions
What is a VIN number?
A VIN (short for Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-character code assigned to every vehicle built after 1981. It encodes the manufacturer, country of origin, vehicle type, and a production serial number unique to that car. No two vehicles share the same VIN.
What does the free decode show?
The free decode uses the official NHTSA vPIC database: factory specs (make, model, year, engine, plant) and open safety recalls. It does not include accidents, odometer, or title brands.
What does the free decode not include?
NHTSA vPIC data does not include accidents, odometer history, title brands like salvage or flood, theft or liens. Those records sit with insurers, state DMVs and the federal NMVTIS system. Our buyer guides explain how to check them.
How accurate is the data?
The free decode reflects what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA vPIC. Fields for pre-late-1990s cars, grey-market imports or commercial vehicles may be incomplete. Recalls are matched by make, model and year.
How long does a check take?
NHTSA decode usually returns in a few seconds. No login, email or payment is needed.
What if no open recalls show up?
It means NHTSA lists no open campaigns for that make, model and year at the time of the lookup. Large campaigns can take a few days to appear. Confirm with a brand dealer and pair the check with an independent inspection.