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NHTSA API

NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) has 5 public methods: decode a vehicle VIN, get safety ratings, get owner complaints, check vehicle recalls and list vehicle models. Each costs 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free.

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Methods

5

  • Decode a vehicle VIN

    Identifies a vehicle from its 17-character VIN using NHTSA vehicle data. Missing details are returned as null; decoding errors and warnings are included.

    Returns make, model, model year, trim, body style, engine, fuel and drive type, plant, warnings, decoded variables

    Readnhtsa.gov/decode_vin

  • Get safety ratings

    Gets NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for a car by make, model and model year. Returns each matching version; unrated versions have no stars.

    Returns star ratings per version, rollover risk, safety technologies, complaints, recalls, investigations, crash-test picture, NHTSA link

    Readnhtsa.gov/get_safety_ratings

  • Get owner complaints

    Summarizes NHTSA owner safety complaints for an exact vehicle model year, make, and model. Body-style variants are not combined; mileage is null when not given as a structured value.

    Returns complaint totals, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths, top problem areas, recent complaints

    Readnhtsa.gov/get_owner_complaints

  • Check vehicle recalls

    Lists NHTSA safety recalls for a vehicle model, given a model year, make and model or a 17-character VIN. Results cover the model, not whether a specific car has been repaired.

    Returns vehicle matched, recall count, recalls with date, component, summary, consequence, remedy, warnings, campaign numbers

    Readnhtsa.gov/check_recalls

  • List vehicle models

    Lists the passenger car, SUV/minivan and truck models NHTSA has for a make and model year, alphabetically.

    Returns model names, vehicle types, NHTSA page URLs

    Readnhtsa.gov/list_vehicle_models