{"id":858,"date":"2026-07-17T05:48:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/library\/nhtsa-recall-compliance-checklist\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:31:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:31:34","slug":"nhtsa-recall-compliance-checklist","status":"publish","type":"libraries","link":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/library\/nhtsa-recall-compliance-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"NHTSA Recall Compliance Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What this checklist covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a manufacturer decides a vehicle or equipment has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal safety standard, NHTSA rules require a defect and noncompliance report, notification of owners and dealers, and a free remedy. Federal law also bars dealers from selling or leasing new vehicles with an open recall until the remedy is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The NHTSA Recall Compliance Checklist is a 15-point scorecard for defect identification, recall decision, owner notification, remedy process, completion tracking, dealer communication, and NHTSA reporting. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on what the auditor sees on the day, and every gap goes into an action plan with an owner and a close date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"as-chktip wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>AutoSmart tip:<\/strong> NHTSA recall compliance is one of the few regulatory obligations where the timing of the decision is as important as the quality of the remedy. The 5-business-day reporting clock starts from the date the manufacturer decides a safety defect exists \u2014 not from when NHTSA opens an investigation, not from when the remedy is developed. Ensure internal investigation processes have a clear decision gate, so the 5-day clock is not missed because the organisation was still deliberating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The checks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checks is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"as-checks__note\"><span>Tap Yes, No or Maybe to try it: your answers stay in this page and clear when you refresh. For a detailed walkthrough, <a href=\"#get-pdf\">download our PDF<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/book-a-demo\/\" data-as-track=\"demo\">book a demo<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Defect identification and recall decision<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">01<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a defect monitoring process in place \u2014 covering warranty claims, field reports, customer complaints, and technical investigations \u2014 allowing the organisation to identify a potential safety defect or noncompliance with minimum delay?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">02<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the NHTSA definition of a safety recall understood \u2014 that it applies when a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet a minimum safety standard \u2014 and is this definition applied consistently in defect investigations?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">03<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a recall decision documented formally \u2014 including the basis for the decision, the population of affected vehicles or equipment, and the planned remedy \u2014 with the decision record retained?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">04<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the 5-business-day reporting requirement to NHTSA (under 49 CFR Part 573) met from the date the manufacturer decides a safety defect or noncompliance exists?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Owner notification and remedy process<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">05<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is owner notification mailed within 60 days of the recall decision (as required by 49 USC 30119) using the notification letter template approved or reviewed in accordance with NHTSA&#039;s notification requirements?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">06<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the remedy offered to owners consistent with 49 USC 30120 \u2014 repair at no cost to the owner, replacement with an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle, or refund of the purchase price less reasonable depreciation?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">07<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the remedy available through the dealer network before or within a reasonable period of owner notification \u2014 preventing a situation where owners receive recall letters but cannot get the remedy performed?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">08<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are second notices sent to owners who have not responded within the required timeframe, as required by NHTSA&#039;s owner notification regulation?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Completion tracking and dealer communication<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">3 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">09<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is recall completion rate tracked by VIN \u2014 covering vehicles remedied at dealerships, vehicles not yet remedied, and vehicles that are unregistered or unlocatable \u2014 with reporting to NHTSA on the required schedule?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">10<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are dealers equipped with the remedy parts, repair instructions, and claim reimbursement process before owner notifications are mailed \u2014 preventing owners from arriving at dealers who cannot perform the remedy?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">11<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a VIN lookup tool available to dealers and the public, allowing any person to check whether a specific vehicle has an open recall?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-checksec is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NHTSA reporting and governance<\/h3><p class=\"as-checksec__meta\">4 checks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">12<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Are quarterly recall reports submitted to NHTSA within the required deadlines, accurately reflecting current completion rates and the number of vehicles remaining unremedied?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">13<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a recall file maintained for each campaign \u2014 covering the defect report, owner notification, remedy description, parts supply, dealer instructions, and quarterly reports \u2014 retrievable for NHTSA review?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">14<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is the Early Warning Reporting (EWR) system monitored \u2014 with reports submitted on the required schedule \u2014 allowing early identification of potential safety issues before a formal recall decision is required?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"as-check\"><span class=\"as-check__no\" aria-hidden=\"true\">15<\/span><span class=\"as-check__body\"><span class=\"as-check__text\">Is a named person designated as the NHTSA recall compliance contact, with the authority and process to initiate a recall decision, manage the remedy, and interface with NHTSA on the organisation&#039;s behalf?<\/span><span class=\"as-check__answer\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Your answer\" hidden><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"yes\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Yes<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"no\" aria-pressed=\"false\">No<\/button><button type=\"button\" data-answer=\"maybe\" aria-pressed=\"false\">Maybe<\/button><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions about this checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group as-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can a dealer sell a new vehicle with an open recall?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not until the remedy is done: federal law prohibits dealers from selling or leasing new vehicles subject to an open recall. Check NHTSA&#8217;s guidance for the details and any exceptions.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What about used vehicles?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Federal law treats used vehicles differently, and state rules vary. Checking used stock and telling buyers about open recalls is good practice.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details as-faq__item is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How do I check a VIN?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through the manufacturer&#8217;s dealer systems or NHTSA&#8217;s public VIN lookup on nhtsa.gov\/recalls.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Run safety recalls the way NHTSA expects: defect reports, owner and dealer notification, the remedy, open-recall checks before sale, completion tracking and records.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_as_roles":"Aftersales and warranty managers, recall coordinators, service managers","_as_frequency":"Monthly, and whenever a new recall is issued","_as_standard":"NHTSA recall requirements (49 CFR Parts 573 and 577)","_as_source":"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/recalls","_as_pdf":1130,"_as_solution":557,"_as_guide":0,"_as_case_study":0,"_as_lib_featured":false},"industry_tag":[3],"checklist_topic":[21],"checklist_market":[33],"class_list":["post-858","libraries","type-libraries","status-publish","hentry","checklist_topic-compliance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries\/858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/libraries"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries\/858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1331,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/libraries\/858\/revisions\/1331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"industry_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry_tag?post=858"},{"taxonomy":"checklist_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/checklist_topic?post=858"},{"taxonomy":"checklist_market","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autosmarts.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/checklist_market?post=858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}