Recall data sources compared
The agencies publish the data, and it is free. Going to each one directly is a good choice for a single source. RecallDB adds one schema across all of them, lookups the agencies do not offer, and push updates.
| Source | Coverage | Format | VIN / barcode lookup | Push updates | Change history |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov, vPIC, flat files) | U.S. vehicle, equipment, tire and car seat recalls | JSON API by make, model and year; VIN decoding (vPIC); bulk flat files | VIN decode (vPIC). Whether one vehicle's recall has been repaired is on NHTSA's VIN check, a website for people | None documented | Not offered |
| CPSC (Recalls web service) | U.S. consumer product recalls | JSON or XML web service; RSS | Search by fields; no barcode index | RSS | Not offered |
| openFDA (enforcement endpoints) | U.S. food, drug and device enforcement reports | JSON API; an API key is optional and raises limits | Query by fields; product codes inside text | FDA recalls RSS (announcements) | Not offered |
| USDA FSIS | U.S. meat, poultry and egg recalls and public health alerts | Recall API and RSS | By fields | RSS | Not offered |
| Canada, UK, EU, Australia | Health Canada / Transport Canada / CFIA; UK FSA, OPSS, MHRA; EU Safety Gate; ACCC | Each its own: open-data JSON file, JSON API, GOV.UK search, weekly reports, RSS | Varies by agency | Some RSS | Not offered |
| RecallDB | All of the above in one schema (144,000+ records), each with the agency's ID and official link | One JSON API, OpenAPI 3.1, JS and Python SDKs, MCP server | VIN decode with the recalls filed for that make, model and year (single or batch; not per-vehicle repair status), UPC/EAN/GTIN barcode lookup across notices | Webhooks with watchlists, new-recalls feed | Latest recorded change per recall (full history planned for Pro) |
When to use the agencies directly
If you need one agency only and its full raw record, use its API or files: they are the source of truth, free, and RecallDB links back to them on every record.
When RecallDB helps
When you need several agencies in one shape, barcode lookups, batch VIN decoding with the recalls filed for each make, model and year, webhooks for new recalls, or an MCP tool for AI agents. Free (beta) covers non-commercial use; Pro is planned for commercial use.