NHTSA
App · 12 actions
Look up U.S. vehicle safety data from NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: decode VINs, check a vehicle's recalls, read owner complaints, get 5-Star crash-test ratings and dimensions, find manufacturers, and find car seat inspection stations. No account or API key is required.
Actions
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Decode VIN | Turn a VIN into the vehicle it describes: year, make, model, trim, body, engine, fuel, transmission, where it was built, and its safety equipment. |
| Decode VINs in bulk | Decode up to 50 VINs in one step, each into the same vehicle details 'Decode VIN' gives. |
| Find car seat inspection stations | Find places where a certified technician will check that a child's car seat is installed correctly, usually for free: the organization, address, phone and email, and the counties they serve. |
| Find manufacturer | Find vehicle and equipment manufacturers registered with NHTSA by name: their registered name and address, country, what they make, and the weight classes of their vehicles. |
| Get complaint | Look up one owner complaint by its NHTSA (ODI) number: what happened, the components involved, whether there was a crash, fire, injury or death, and the vehicles it concerns. |
| Get complaints for a vehicle | Get the safety complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about a year, make and model, newest first, with totals for crashes, fires, injuries and deaths and the components complained about most. |
| Get recall | Look up one recall by its NHTSA campaign number: what is wrong, the risk, the fix, how many vehicles it affects, and every year, make and model it covers. |
| Get recalls for a vehicle | Find every safety recall for a year, make and model, newest first: the component, what can go wrong, the fix, and whether owners are told not to drive it or to park it outside. |
| Get recalls for a VIN | Find the safety recalls issued for the year, make and model a VIN belongs to, newest first, with what is wrong, the risk and the fix. |
| Get safety ratings | Get a vehicle's NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: overall, frontal crash, side crash and rollover, with the crash-test photos and videos, its safety technology, and how many recalls, complaints and investigations it has. |
| Get vehicle dimensions | Get a vehicle's length, width, height, wheelbase, track width, curb weight and front/rear weight split, for each version of the model, in inches and pounds or centimetres and kilograms. |
| List models | List the models NHTSA has on record for a make, by vehicle type and optionally model year. |
Decode VIN
Turn a VIN into the vehicle it describes: year, make, model, trim, body, engine, fuel, transmission, where it was built, and its safety equipment. Says whether the VIN is valid and what is wrong with it if not. A partial VIN works too, with * for unknown characters.
Inputs
- VIN
vintextRequired - The vehicle identification number. Spaces, dashes and lower case are fine; use * for a character you don't know.
- Model year
model_yearnumber - Optional. A VIN's year letter repeats every 30 years, so giving the year makes an older vehicle decode correctly.From 1981 to 2100.
Outputs
body_classtextdecodedtrue/falsedescriptiontextdetailsobjectdoorsnumberdrive_typetextelectrification_leveltextengine_configurationtextengine_cylindersnumberengine_displacement_litersnumberengine_horsepowernumbererror_codeslistfuel_typetextgross_vehicle_weight_ratingtextmaketextmanufacturertextmodeltextplant_citytextplant_countrytextplant_statetextproblemslistsafety_featuresobjectseatsnumbersecondary_fuel_typetextseriestextsuggested_vintexttransmission_speedsnumbertransmission_styletexttrimtextvalidtrue/falsevehicle_typetextvintextyearnumber
Example output
{
"body_class": "Coupe",
"decoded": true,
"description": "2003 Honda Accord EX-V6",
"details": {
"air_bag_loc_front": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)",
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "Accord",
"model_year": "2003",
"valve_train_design": "Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)"
},
"doors": 2,
"drive_type": null,
"electrification_level": null,
"engine_configuration": "V-Shaped",
"engine_cylinders": 6,
"engine_displacement_liters": 3,
"engine_horsepower": 240,
"error_codes": [
"0"
],
"fuel_type": "Gasoline",
"gross_vehicle_weight_rating": "Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)",
"make": "HONDA",
"manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.",
"model": "Accord",
"plant_city": "MARYSVILLE",
"plant_country": "UNITED STATES (USA)",
"plant_state": "OHIO",
"problems": [],
"safety_features": {
"adaptive_cruise_control": null,
"anti_lock_brakes": null,
"automatic_emergency_braking": null,
"backup_camera": null,
"blind_spot_warning": null,
"electronic_stability_control": null,
"forward_collision_warning": null,
"lane_departure_warning": null,
"lane_keeping_assist": null,
"pedestrian_automatic_emergency_braking": null,
"tire_pressure_monitoring": null,
"traction_control": null
},
"seats": null,
"secondary_fuel_type": null,
"series": null,
"suggested_vin": null,
"transmission_speeds": 5,
"transmission_style": "Automatic",
"trim": "EX-V6",
"valid": true,
"vehicle_type": "PASSENGER CAR",
"vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
"year": 2003
}Decode VINs in bulk
Decode up to 50 VINs in one step, each into the same vehicle details 'Decode VIN' gives. Lists the VINs that are not valid so they can be checked.
Inputs
- VINs
vinslistRequired - Up to 50 VINs: a list, or text with one VIN per line or separated by commas.
Outputs
decoded_countnumberinvalid_vinslistvehicleslistvin_countnumber
Example output
{
"decoded_count": 1,
"invalid_vins": [],
"vehicles": [
{
"body_class": "Coupe",
"decoded": true,
"description": "2003 Honda Accord EX-V6",
"details": {
"air_bag_loc_front": "1st Row (Driver and Passenger)",
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "Accord",
"model_year": "2003",
"valve_train_design": "Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)"
},
"doors": 2,
"drive_type": null,
"electrification_level": null,
"engine_configuration": "V-Shaped",
"engine_cylinders": 6,
"engine_displacement_liters": 3,
"engine_horsepower": 240,
"error_codes": [
"0"
],
"fuel_type": "Gasoline",
"gross_vehicle_weight_rating": "Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)",
"make": "HONDA",
"manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.",
"model": "Accord",
"plant_city": "MARYSVILLE",
"plant_country": "UNITED STATES (USA)",
"plant_state": "OHIO",
"problems": [],
"safety_features": {
"adaptive_cruise_control": null,
"anti_lock_brakes": null,
"automatic_emergency_braking": null,
"backup_camera": null,
"blind_spot_warning": null,
"electronic_stability_control": null,
"forward_collision_warning": null,
"lane_departure_warning": null,
"lane_keeping_assist": null,
"pedestrian_automatic_emergency_braking": null,
"tire_pressure_monitoring": null,
"traction_control": null
},
"seats": null,
"secondary_fuel_type": null,
"series": null,
"suggested_vin": null,
"transmission_speeds": 5,
"transmission_style": "Automatic",
"trim": "EX-V6",
"valid": true,
"vehicle_type": "PASSENGER CAR",
"vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
"year": 2003
}
],
"vin_count": 1
}Find car seat inspection stations
Find places where a certified technician will check that a child's car seat is installed correctly, usually for free: the organization, address, phone and email, and the counties they serve. Search a whole state or one ZIP code in it.
Inputs
- State
statetextRequired - The state or territory to search.One of:
AL(Alabama),AK(Alaska),AS(American Samoa),AZ(Arizona),AR(Arkansas),CA(California),CO(Colorado),CT(Connecticut),DE(Delaware),DC(District of Columbia), and 46 more. - ZIP code
zip_codetext - Only stations in this ZIP code. Leave empty to search the whole state.
- Spanish-speaking technicians only
spanish_speakingtrue/false - Only list stations with a technician who speaks Spanish.Default:
false.
Outputs
spanish_speakingtrue/falsestatetextstate_nametextstation_countnumberstationslistzip_codetext
Example output
{
"spanish_speaking": false,
"state": "CA",
"state_name": "California",
"station_count": 1,
"stations": [
{
"address": "#574 UCSB Campus Bldg.",
"child_passenger_safety_week_event": false,
"city": "Goleta",
"contact_name": "Mike Riach",
"counties_served": null,
"email": "carseats@sbcfire.com",
"last_updated": "2018-08-07",
"latitude": null,
"longitude": null,
"mobile_station": false,
"organization": "SBCO No. 17 - Fire Station",
"phone": "(805) 681-5500",
"state": "CA",
"zip_code": "93117"
}
],
"zip_code": "93117"
}Find manufacturer
Find vehicle and equipment manufacturers registered with NHTSA by name: their registered name and address, country, what they make, and the weight classes of their vehicles.
Inputs
- Name
nametextRequired - All or part of the manufacturer's name.
Outputs
manufacturer_countnumbermanufacturerslistnametext
Example output
{
"manufacturer_count": 1,
"manufacturers": [
{
"address": "1 Tesla Road",
"address_line_2": null,
"city": "Austin",
"common_name": "Tesla",
"country": "UNITED STATES (USA)",
"doing_business_as": "Tesla, Inc.",
"last_updated": "2026-06-16",
"manufacturer_id": 955,
"manufacturer_types": [
"Completed Vehicle Manufacturer"
],
"name": "TESLA, INC.",
"postal_code": "78725",
"state_province": "TEXAS",
"vehicle_types": [
{
"name": "Passenger Car",
"primary": true,
"weight_class_from": "Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less)",
"weight_class_to": "Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)"
}
]
}
],
"name": "Tesla"
}Get complaint
Look up one owner complaint by its NHTSA (ODI) number: what happened, the components involved, whether there was a crash, fire, injury or death, and the vehicles it concerns.
Inputs
- Complaint number
odi_numbertextRequired - The complaint's ODI number, from 'Get complaints for a vehicle' or NHTSA's website.
Outputs
complaintobjectfoundtrue/falseodi_numbernumber
Example output
{
"complaint": {
"components": [
"POWER TRAIN"
],
"crash": false,
"deaths": 0,
"filed_date": "2019-12-12",
"fire": false,
"incident_date": "2019-11-27",
"injuries": 0,
"manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
"odi_number": 11288738,
"partial_vin": "2HGFC2F69LH",
"products": [
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC",
"type": "Vehicle",
"year": 2020
}
],
"summary": "While driving approximately 35 mph and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle surged forward."
},
"found": true,
"odi_number": 11288738
}Get complaints for a vehicle
Get the safety complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about a year, make and model, newest first, with totals for crashes, fires, injuries and deaths and the components complained about most. Narrow the list to serious incidents or recent filings.
Inputs
- Model year
yeartextRequired - The vehicle's model year, from those in NHTSA's complaint records.
- Make
maketextRequired - The manufacturer's brand, for example HONDA.
- Model
modeltextRequired - The model, spelled the way NHTSA's complaint records spells it (for example CIVIC).
- Only complaints involving
involvingtext - Only list complaints that report any of these. Leave empty for every complaint.One or more of:
crash(A crash),fire(A fire),injury(An injury),death(A death). - Filed on or after
filed_on_or_afterdate - Only list complaints filed on or after this date. Leave empty for every date.
- Number of complaints
limitnumber - How many complaints to return, newest first. Defaults to 25.From 1 to 500. Default:
25.
Outputs
complaint_countnumbercomplaintslistmaketextmatch_countnumbermodeltexttop_componentslisttotal_countnumbertotalsobjecttruncatedtrue/falseyearnumber
Example output
{
"complaint_count": 1,
"complaints": [
{
"components": [
"POWER TRAIN"
],
"crash": false,
"deaths": 0,
"filed_date": "2019-12-12",
"fire": false,
"incident_date": "2019-11-27",
"injuries": 0,
"manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
"odi_number": 11288738,
"partial_vin": "2HGFC2F69LH",
"products": [
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC",
"type": "Vehicle",
"year": 2020
}
],
"summary": "While driving approximately 35 mph and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle surged forward."
}
],
"make": "HONDA",
"match_count": 227,
"model": "CIVIC",
"top_components": [
{
"component": "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM",
"count": 36
},
{
"component": "POWER TRAIN",
"count": 31
}
],
"total_count": 227,
"totals": {
"complaints": 227,
"crashes": 15,
"deaths": 0,
"fires": 1,
"injuries": 12
},
"truncated": true,
"year": 2020
}Get recall
Look up one recall by its NHTSA campaign number: what is wrong, the risk, the fix, how many vehicles it affects, and every year, make and model it covers.
Inputs
- Recall number
campaign_numbertextRequired - NHTSA's campaign number, written any common way: 19V182000, 19V-182 or 19V182.
Outputs
campaign_numbertextfoundtrue/falserecallobjectvehicle_countnumbervehicleslist
Example output
{
"campaign_number": "21V215000",
"found": true,
"recall": {
"campaign_number": "21V215000",
"component": "FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP",
"consequence": "Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.",
"do_not_drive": false,
"investigation_number": null,
"manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
"notes": "Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.",
"over_the_air_fix": false,
"park_outside": false,
"recall_type": "Vehicle",
"remedy": "Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.",
"report_received_date": "2021-03-25",
"summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.",
"units_affected": 628614
},
"vehicle_count": 2,
"vehicles": [
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC",
"year": 2020
},
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "ACCORD",
"year": 2020
}
]
}Get recalls for a vehicle
Find every safety recall for a year, make and model, newest first: the component, what can go wrong, the fix, and whether owners are told not to drive it or to park it outside.
Inputs
- Model year
yeartextRequired - The vehicle's model year, from those in NHTSA's recall records.
- Make
maketextRequired - The manufacturer's brand, for example HONDA.
- Model
modeltextRequired - The model, spelled the way NHTSA's recall records spells it (for example CIVIC).
- Reported on or after
reported_on_or_afterdate - Only recalls reported to NHTSA on or after this date. Leave empty for every recall.
Outputs
campaign_numberslistdo_not_drivetrue/falselatest_report_datetextmaketextmodeltextpark_outsidetrue/falserecall_countnumberrecallslistyearnumber
Example output
{
"campaign_numbers": [
"21V215000"
],
"do_not_drive": false,
"latest_report_date": "2021-03-25",
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC",
"park_outside": false,
"recall_count": 1,
"recalls": [
{
"campaign_number": "21V215000",
"component": "FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP",
"consequence": "Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.",
"do_not_drive": false,
"investigation_number": null,
"make": "HONDA",
"manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
"model": "CIVIC",
"notes": "Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.",
"over_the_air_fix": false,
"park_outside": false,
"recall_type": "Vehicle",
"remedy": "Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.",
"report_received_date": "2021-03-25",
"summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.",
"year": 2020
}
],
"year": 2020
}Get recalls for a VIN
Find the safety recalls issued for the year, make and model a VIN belongs to, newest first, with what is wrong, the risk and the fix. Flags any recall that says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside. NHTSA's public data covers the model, not whether this particular vehicle has already been repaired.
Inputs
- VIN
vintextRequired - The 17-character vehicle identification number. Spaces, dashes and lower case are fine.
- Reported on or after
reported_on_or_afterdate - Only recalls reported to NHTSA on or after this date. Leave empty for every recall.
Outputs
campaign_numberslistdecodedtrue/falsedescriptiontextdo_not_drivetrue/falselatest_report_datetextmaketextmodeltextmodels_checkedlistpark_outsidetrue/falseproblemslistrecall_countnumberrecallslistvintextyearnumber
Example output
{
"campaign_numbers": [
"21V215000"
],
"decoded": true,
"description": "2020 Honda Civic LX",
"do_not_drive": false,
"latest_report_date": "2021-03-25",
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "Civic",
"models_checked": [
"Civic"
],
"park_outside": false,
"problems": [],
"recall_count": 1,
"recalls": [
{
"campaign_number": "21V215000",
"component": "FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP",
"consequence": "Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.",
"do_not_drive": false,
"investigation_number": null,
"make": "HONDA",
"manufacturer": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)",
"model": "CIVIC",
"notes": "Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.",
"over_the_air_fix": false,
"park_outside": false,
"recall_type": "Vehicle",
"remedy": "Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge.",
"report_received_date": "2021-03-25",
"summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.",
"year": 2020
}
],
"vin": "2HGFC2F69LH000000",
"year": 2020
}Get safety ratings
Get a vehicle's NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: overall, frontal crash, side crash and rollover, with the crash-test photos and videos, its safety technology, and how many recalls, complaints and investigations it has. Pick a version for one body style and drive, or leave it empty to rate every version.
Inputs
- Model year
yeartextRequired - The vehicle's model year, from those in NHTSA's crash-test ratings.
- Make
maketextRequired - The manufacturer's brand, for example HONDA.
- Model
modeltextRequired - The model, spelled the way NHTSA's crash-test ratings spells it (for example CIVIC SEDAN).
- Version
vehicle_idtext - The body style and drive, for example '4 DR FWD'. Leave empty to return every rated version.
Outputs
best_overall_ratingnumberfoundtrue/falsemaketextmodeltexttruncatedtrue/falsevehicleobjectvehicle_countnumbervehicleslistyearnumber
Example output
{
"best_overall_rating": 5,
"found": true,
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC SEDAN",
"truncated": false,
"vehicle": {
"complaint_count": 124,
"description": "2024 Honda CIVIC SEDAN 4 DR FWD",
"front_crash": {
"driver_side": 5,
"overall": 4,
"passenger_side": 4,
"photo_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/images/2024/v14048P082.jpg",
"video_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/videos/2024/v14048C019.wmv"
},
"investigation_count": 1,
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC SEDAN",
"overall_rating": 5,
"rated": true,
"recall_count": 3,
"rollover": {
"rating": 5,
"risk_percent": 9.5,
"tipped_in_test": false
},
"safety_technology": {
"electronic_stability_control": "Standard",
"forward_collision_warning": "Standard",
"lane_departure_warning": "Standard"
},
"side_crash": {
"barrier": 5,
"driver_side": 5,
"front_seat": 5,
"overall": 5,
"passenger_side": 5,
"photo_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/images/2024/v14049P103.jpg",
"pole": 5,
"rear_seat": 5,
"video_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/videos/2024/v14049C013.wmv"
},
"vehicle_id": 19596,
"year": 2024
},
"vehicle_count": 1,
"vehicles": [
{
"complaint_count": 124,
"description": "2024 Honda CIVIC SEDAN 4 DR FWD",
"front_crash": {
"driver_side": 5,
"overall": 4,
"passenger_side": 4,
"photo_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/images/2024/v14048P082.jpg",
"video_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/videos/2024/v14048C019.wmv"
},
"investigation_count": 1,
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC SEDAN",
"overall_rating": 5,
"rated": true,
"recall_count": 3,
"rollover": {
"rating": 5,
"risk_percent": 9.5,
"tipped_in_test": false
},
"safety_technology": {
"electronic_stability_control": "Standard",
"forward_collision_warning": "Standard",
"lane_departure_warning": "Standard"
},
"side_crash": {
"barrier": 5,
"driver_side": 5,
"front_seat": 5,
"overall": 5,
"passenger_side": 5,
"photo_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/images/2024/v14049P103.jpg",
"pole": 5,
"rear_seat": 5,
"video_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/crashTest/videos/2024/v14049C013.wmv"
},
"vehicle_id": 19596,
"year": 2024
}
],
"year": 2024
}Get vehicle dimensions
Get a vehicle's length, width, height, wheelbase, track width, curb weight and front/rear weight split, for each version of the model, in inches and pounds or centimetres and kilograms. Comes from the Canadian Vehicle Specifications NHTSA publishes, which start with 1971 models.
Inputs
- Model year
yearnumberRequired - The vehicle's model year (1971 or later).From 1971 to 2100.
- Make
maketextRequired - The manufacturer's brand, for example Honda.
- Model
modeltext - All or part of the model name, for example Civic. Leave empty for every model of the make.
- Units
unitstext - The units to measure in.One of:
US(Inches and pounds),Metric(Centimetres and kilograms). Default:US.
Outputs
maketextmodeltextunitsobjectvehicle_countnumbervehicleslistyearnumber
Example output
{
"make": "Honda",
"model": "Civic",
"units": {
"length": "in",
"weight": "lb"
},
"vehicle_count": 1,
"vehicles": [
{
"curb_weight": 2760.2,
"height": 55.9,
"length": 182.3,
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "CIVIC DX/LX/EX 4DR SEDAN",
"track_width_front": 61,
"track_width_rear": 61.4,
"weight_front_percent": 61,
"weight_rear_percent": 39,
"wheelbase": 106.3,
"width": 74
}
],
"year": 2020
}List models
List the models NHTSA has on record for a make, by vehicle type and optionally model year.
Inputs
- Vehicle type
vehicle_typetextRequired - The kind of vehicle.One of:
car(Passenger car),mpv(SUV, crossover or minivan),truck(Pickup or truck),motorcycle,bus,low speed vehicle(Low-speed vehicle). Default:car. - Make
maketextRequired - The manufacturer's brand.
- Model year
yearnumber - Only models sold in this year. Leave empty for all.From 1981 to 2100.
Outputs
maketextmodel_countnumbermodel_nameslistmodelslistvehicle_typetextyearnumber
Example output
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model_count": 2,
"model_names": [
"CR-V",
"Pilot"
],
"models": [
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model_id": 1865,
"name": "CR-V",
"vehicle_type": "Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)"
},
{
"make": "HONDA",
"model_id": 1868,
"name": "Pilot",
"vehicle_type": "Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)"
}
],
"vehicle_type": "mpv",
"year": 2024
}