CheckToProtect.org: Troubleshooting Guide

Having trouble checking your vehicle for recalls? Below are several troubleshooting steps you can try.

Remember, you can always contact an authorized dealer or your vehicle manufacturer directly for more information about vehicle safety recalls and to confirm whether your vehicle is affected. Your dealer can run your VIN or plate to search for recalls.

INTERNET/CONNECTION TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS:

+ Clear Browser Cache:

For iPhones, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data
For Androids, open Chrome > More > History > Browsing Data > Choose a time range > Check box next to “Cached images and ﬁles” > Clear data

+ Test Another Connection: If possible, try another Wi-Fi network or switch to cellular data.

+ Try a Diﬀerent Browser: Try accessing the page using a diﬀerent browser, such as Safari, Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.

+ Use Private Mode: Private and incognito modes do not store cookies, so it may help to identify if the issue is related to cookies.

+ Enable Cookies: Make sure that cookies are enabled for your browser.

For iPhones, go to Settings > Safari > Block All Cookies, and ensure that it is turned off
For Androids, open Chrome > More > Settings > Site settings > Cookies > Turn on “Allow cookies”

VIN/PLATE LOOK-UP TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS:

Please note our site is supported by CARFAX. Some manufacturers, such as Telsa, do not share vehicle recall data with CARFAX so their recall status isn’t available through our site. If you get an error message that your manufacturer does not provide recall information, please contact your manufacturer directly for assistance.

For the license plate:

Please double check the numbers and letters entered match your plate.
Please confirm the plate you are searching for is for a U.S. state or Puerto Rico.

Unfortunately, the CARFAX plate look-up system cannot support:

Government plates
Foreign plates (including Canada)
Tribal vehicle tags
Other U.S. territory plates

You can search government vehicles, as well as those registered to tribal lands or U.S. territories using your VIN; not all automakers provide data on vehicles outside the U.S.

PHOTO LOOK-UP TOOL TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS:

Remember, you can always enter the license plate or VIN manually. You can also:

Try getting closer to the license plate or VIN by zooming in on the plate or VIN.
Please double-check that there is no glare or shadows obstructing the numbers and symbols.
Take a photo of the license plate or VIN and upload it later, from a stronger internet connection.
If the photo isn’t uploading, the ﬁle may be too large or an unsupported photo type:
- The photo tool supports image uploads up to 3 MB in size.
- The photo tool supports the following image types: .jpeg, .png8, .png24, .gif, .bmp, .webp, .raw, .ico, .pdf, and .tiﬀ. The photo tool also supports the ﬁrst frame of an animated .gif.

REQUEST ACCESS TO CARFAX’S BULK VIN SEARCH TOOL

Searching a large amount of VINs? If you are a government or business, you can apply to access CARFAX’s Free Vehicle Recall Search Service where you can search up to 10,000 VINs at a time. Request access at https://www.carfax.com/recall/request-account/.

STILL EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY?

We apologize if you are still experiencing diﬃculties. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we’d be happy to help. Please include a description of the problem you’re experiencing (with a screenshot, if possible), and information about your browser and device.