By the Rims & Tires Team
Compiled & reviewed by our West Georgia tire & wheel research team · Updated 2026-07-24
Tires get recalled just like cars do, but they don't carry a VIN, so the lookup works a little differently. You check by the tire's DOT number and its brand, model, and build date. Both tools are free, and the whole thing takes a couple of minutes.
Find your DOT number first
The DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) is molded into the sidewall, starting with the letters "DOT." The last four digits are the build date: week, then year. "2223" means the 22nd week of 2023. That date, plus the brand and model, is what a recall is written against.
If the number is only stamped on the inner sidewall (common on one side), roll the car forward a bit or check the other side. Every tire has it.
The two free tools
NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/recalls: search tires by brand, model, and manufacture date. There's no VIN box for tires because tires don't have one.
USTMA's tire recall lookup at recallinfo.ustires.org: search by the DOT number (TIN) directly. This is the fastest route if you have the number off the sidewall.
Prefer the phone? NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline is 888-327-4236. And one thing worth knowing: once a tire is recalled, that recall never expires.
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What to do if your tire is recalled
Recalled tires get remedied free by the manufacturer or an authorized dealer. If the recall is safety-critical (tread separation, sidewall failure), stop driving on it and get it replaced before you rack up highway miles.
Bought the tires used, or inherited them with the car? Check the DOT date against open recalls. Used and older stock is exactly where a missed recall tends to hide.
Check the vehicle while you're at it
For the car itself, use the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (lower corner of the windshield, or the driver's door jamb). "0 unrepaired recalls" means you're clear.
It's worth doing now and then. NHTSA logged 997 recall campaigns across vehicles, tires, and equipment in 2025, covering more than 29 million vehicles. New VINs get added continuously, so a clean check today isn't a clean check forever.
Where to check a recall
| What you're checking | Free tool | What you search by |
|---|---|---|
| Tire | recallinfo.ustires.org | The DOT number (TIN) |
| Tire | nhtsa.gov/recalls | Brand, model + build date |
| Vehicle | nhtsa.gov/recalls | 17-digit VIN |
| Car seat | nhtsa.gov/recalls | Brand, model, manufacture date |
Frequently asked
How do I check if my tires are recalled?
Read the DOT number off the sidewall, then search it at recallinfo.ustires.org. Or search your tire's brand, model, and build date at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Both are free.
Do tires have a VIN for recalls?
No. Tires use a DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) instead. The VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls is for the vehicle, not the tires.
Does a tire recall ever expire?
No. Once a tire is recalled it stays recalled, and the free remedy doesn't lapse. If you bought used tires, it's worth checking the DOT date against open recalls.
How often should I check my tires for a recall?
Once when you buy a set is the big one, and again any time you pick up used or older tires, since that's where a missed recall usually hides. A quick check once a year or when you're already getting service keeps you current, because new campaigns get added all the time. It only takes a couple of minutes with the DOT number.
What does it cost to fix a recalled tire?
Nothing for the tire itself: a recall remedy is free through the manufacturer or an authorized dealer, whether that's a replacement or a refund. You're generally not on the hook for mounting or balancing on the remedy either, though it's worth confirming when you set it up. If the recall is safety-critical, don't keep driving on it while you sort out the appointment.
Keep reading
Last updated 2026-07-24. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.