How to Check if a Product That Hurt You Was Recalled

Which agency covers my product?

Household and consumer products (appliances, heaters, toys, furniture, e-bikes, batteries, children's products): CPSC — Recalls & Product Safety Warnings at cpsc.gov/Recalls.

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, car seats, tires, vehicle equipment: NHTSA — Check for Recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Drugs, medical devices, most foods, cosmetics, dietary supplements: FDA — Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts at fda.gov.

Meat and poultry products: USDA FSIS — Recalls & Public Health Alerts at fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Not sure: the federal Recalls.gov hub, which links CPSC, NHTSA, the U.S. Coast Guard, FDA, USDA and EPA.

How do I search CPSC?

CPSC's recall page has a keyword search plus filters for date, hazard type (such as fire, choking or electrical shock) and product category. Results include both recalls and CPSC product safety warnings, which often begin "CPSC Warns Consumers." A warning can exist where there's no recall.

Tips: search the brand, then the product type, then the model number. Spellings in recall notices don't always match the box.

How do I search NHTSA?

NHTSA lets you search by license plate, by the 17-character VIN, or by year, make and model, and also covers car seats, tires and equipment. Your VIN is on the lower left of the windshield, your registration and your insurance card.

Two limits matter. NHTSA says a VIN search won't show safety recalls more than 15 years old unless the manufacturer provides more coverage, and it won't show recalls that were already repaired. For a crash case, those gaps matter, so search by year, make and model too.

How do I search FDA?

FDA's main recall page lists recent press releases and public notices. FDA says plainly that not all recalls have press releases or appear on that page, and it points to its Enforcement Reports for a fuller list.

FDA sorts recalls into three classes: Class I — a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Class II — may cause temporary or medically reversible harm, or serious harm is remote. Class III — not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

FDA also issues medical device safety alerts and lists market withdrawals, which involve minor violations.

What if I find a recall?

Save or print the notice, with the date you found it. Match the model, lot or serial number exactly. Note the hazard described, and compare it to what happened to you. Keep the product. Don't mail it back for a refund before talking to a lawyer.

What if there's no recall?

That's common, and it doesn't end the question. Recalls depend on what an agency or manufacturer knows and decides. Many injury cases involve products that were never recalled.

You can also report the incident: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, and NHTSA through its "Report a Safety Problem" link. NHTSA says similar reports may lead it to open an investigation.