Carfax

Used car listings, open safety recalls and vehicle history highlights

Carfax provides used-car listings near a US ZIP code with free history highlights, plus open safety recalls reported by CARFAX for a VIN or US plate.

Check recalls

Check a VIN or US license plate for open safety recalls reported to CARFAX, including the vehicle and recall details. A state is required for plates; details missing from CARFAX are null. Service campaigns are not included.

Your information

Vehicle

17-character VIN or US license plate number, for example 1C4SJVGJ0PS570046 or 7ABC123.

More options

StateOptional

US state name or two-letter code for license plate searches, for example California or CA.

1 credit per completed run

The same inputs also work from your code or an AI assistant. See For developers.

Example results

0 open safety recalls

2,003 HONDA ACCORD EX V-6

No open safety recalls were reported. Service campaigns are not included.

About the Carfax tool

Carfax’s Search cars method returns used-car listings and vehicle-history highlights; enter a car make and model and a five-digit US ZIP code.

Check recalls returns open safety recall details; enter a VIN or license plate, and include a US state for plate searches.

Built from carfax.com. Last checked Sep 29, 2026.

Actions

Check recalls

1 credit

What you provide

Field	Type	Required	Description
State`state`	Text	Optional	US state name or two-letter code for license plate searches, for example California or CA.Example: California
Vehicle`vehicle`	Text	Required	17-character VIN or US license plate number, for example 1C4SJVGJ0PS570046 or 7ABC123.Example: 1C4SJVGJ0PS570046

What you get

Field	Type	Description
VIN`vin`	Text	Vehicle identification number.Example: 1HGCM82633A004352
Make`make`	Text	Vehicle make.Example: HONDA
Year`year`	Number	Model year.Example: 2003
Model`model`	Text	Vehicle model and trim as reported by CARFAX.Example: ACCORD EX V-6
Recalls`recalls`	List	Open safety recalls (not service campaigns).
Title`recalls[].title`	Text	Recall title or affected component.Example: 2022-2026 MY Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer (WS)
Remedy`recalls[].remedy`	Text	Repair or remedy information.Example: FCA US will conduct a voluntary safety recall to repair the pivot joints on…
Page Link`recalls[].page_link`	Text	CARFAX recall check page for this vehicle; enter the VIN to see current details.Example: https://www.carfax.com/recalls
Description`recalls[].description`	Text	What is being recalled.Example: FCA US will conduct a voluntary safety recall to repair the pivot joints on…
Safety Risk`recalls[].safety_risk`	Text	Safety risk described for the recall.Example: Crossbars which detach from a vehicle may create a road hazard to operators…
Date Announced`recalls[].date_announced`	Text	Date shown by CARFAX in YYYY-MM-DD format.Example: 2026-09-17
Government Recall Number`recalls[].government_recall_number`	Text	NHTSA campaign number, when given.Example: 26V-584
Open Recall Count`open_recall_count`	Number	Number of open safety recalls reported to CARFAX.Example: 0

Example result

For Vehicle: 1HGCM82633A004352

JSON

{
  "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
  "make": "HONDA",
  "year": 2003,
  "model": "ACCORD EX V-6",
  "recalls": [],
  "open_recall_count": 0
}

Search cars

1 credit

Search used cars near a US ZIP code in CARFAX order, with listing details and free vehicle-history highlights. Paid full history reports are not included.

What you provide

Field	Type	Required	Description
Car`car`	Text	Required	Car make and model, such as Honda Accord.Example: Honda Accord
Zip Code`zip_code`	Text	Required	Five-digit US ZIP code, such as 20001.Example: 20001
Max Price`max_price`	Number	Optional	Highest listing price in US dollars, such as 20000. Leave blank for any price.Example: 20000
Max Results`max_results`	Number	Optional	Maximum number of listings, such as 25.Example: 25
Radius (miles)`radius_miles`	Number	Optional	Search radius in miles, such as 50.Example: 50

What you get

Field	Type	Description
Listings`listings`	List	Used cars in CARFAX search order.
VIN`listings[].vin`	Text	Vehicle identification number.Example: 4T1B11HK1JU611310
Make`listings[].make`	Text	Car make.Example: Toyota
Trim`listings[].trim`	Text	Car trim.Example: LE
Year`listings[].year`	Number	Model year.Example: 2018
Model`listings[].model`	Text	Car model.Example: Camry
Price`listings[].price`	Number	Listing price in US dollars.Example: 16830
Mileage`listings[].mileage`	Number	Odometer mileage in miles.Example: 81020
Currency`listings[].currency`	Text	Price currency code.Example: USD
Photo Link`listings[].photo_link`	Text	First vehicle photo link.Example: https://carfax-img.vast.com/carfax/v2/-1983570008698335165/1/640x480
Dealer Name`listings[].dealer_name`	Text	Seller dealership.Example: Simi Valley Toyota
Vehicle Use`listings[].vehicle_use`	Text	CARFAX use label such as Personal Use or Fleet.Example: Personal Use
Listing Link`listings[].listing_link`	Text	CARFAX listing page.Example: https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/4T1B11HK1JU611310
Distance (miles)`listings[].distance_miles`	Number	Distance to dealer in miles.Example: 24.2
Dealer Location`listings[].dealer_location`	Text	Dealer city and state.Example: Simi Valley, CA
Previous Owners`listings[].previous_owners`	Number	Number of previous owners shown by CARFAX.Example: 1
Accidents Reported`listings[].accidents_reported`	Text	CARFAX accident or damage history highlight.Example: No Accident or Damage Reported
Service Records Count`listings[].service_records_count`	Number	Number of service records shown by CARFAX.Example: 16

Example result

For Car: Toyota Camry, Zip Code: 90210, Max Price: 20000, Max Results: 27, Radius (miles): 25

JSON

{
  "listings": [
    {
      "vin": "4T1B11HK1JU611310",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "LE",
      "year": 2018,
      "model": "Camry",
      "price": 16830,
      "mileage": 81020,
      "currency": "USD",
      "photo_link": "https://carfax-img.vast.com/carfax/v2/-1983570008698335165/1/640x480",
      "dealer_name": "Simi Valley Toyota",
      "vehicle_use": "Personal Use",
      "listing_link": "https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/4T1B11HK1JU611310",
      "distance_miles": 24.2,
      "dealer_location": "Simi Valley, CA",
      "previous_owners": 1,
      "accidents_reported": "No Accident or Damage Reported",
      "service_records_count": 16
    },
    {
      "vin": "4T1G31AK1LU012890",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "SE",
      "year": 2020,
      "model": "Camry",
      "price": 14115,
      "mileage": 164395,
      "currency": "USD",
      "photo_link": "https://carfax-img.vast.com/carfax/v2/668014494404376799/1/640x480",
      "dealer_name": "Carwin Motors",
      "vehicle_use": "Personal Use",
      "listing_link": "https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/4T1G31AK1LU012890",
      "distance_miles": 6.4,
      "dealer_location": "North Hollywood, CA",
      "previous_owners": 1,
      "accidents_reported": "Minor Damage",
      "service_records_count": 18
    },
    {
      "vin": "4T1T11AKXRU207108",
      "make": "Toyota",
      "trim": "SE",
      "year": 2024,
      "model": "Camry",
      "price": 15084,
      "mileage": 163513,
      "currency": "USD",
      "photo_link": "https://carfax-img.vast.com/carfax/v2/-4465357645389425755/1/640x480",
      "dealer_name": "Simi Valley Toyota",
      "vehicle_use": "Personal Use",
      "listing_link": "https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/4T1T11AKXRU207108",
      "distance_miles": 24.2,
      "dealer_location": "Simi Valley, CA",
      "previous_owners": 1,
      "accidents_reported": "No Accident or Damage Reported",
      "service_records_count": 18
    }
  ]
}

For developers

Call it from your code with one request. Change the values in input to run it on new data. To get an API key, open Developers at the bottom of Studio, turn on Developer mode and go to API keys.

cURL

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@carfax",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "check_recalls",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "vehicle": "1HGCM82633A004352"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'

What you can do with it

Compare used-car listings near a ZIP code
Find listings within a price range and search radius
Review reported owners, accidents, and service records
Check a vehicle for open safety recalls
Look up recalls using a license plate and state

Questions about Carfax

Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

Can I call this Carfax tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

Do I need a Carfax account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from carfax.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.