GLEN BURNIE, MD (March 2, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is recognizing Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, running today through March 8, by urging Maryland drivers to check for open vehicle safety recalls. As part of MDOT’s Serious About Safety initiative, the MVA reminds motorists that unresolved recalls can create safety issues that could lead to a crash. Repairs can be completed free of charge at authorized dealerships.   

“A vehicle recall is a serious safety issue that can put drivers, passengers and everyone on the road at risk,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “It only takes a few minutes to check for an open recall. Don’t wait – get it fixed for free immediately.”  

The MVA notifies customers of open recalls through registration renewal notices, sent by email and posted in their myMVA online service account approximately 60 days before expiration, to encourage prompt action.  

Drivers can check for open recalls at any time by visiting NHTSA.gov/recalls and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate number. The VIN can be located on the lower driver’s side of the windshield, the vehicle registration card or an insurance card. The lookup tool provides information on unrepaired recalls issued within the past 15 years. 

Vehicle recalls address safety defects that increase the risk of crashes or injuries. In 2025, 997 safety recalls affected more than 29 million vehicles and pieces of equipment nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Millions of those vehicles remain unrepaired.    

If a vehicle is subject to a safety recall, owners should contact their local dealer to schedule a free repair. Drivers are encouraged to sign up for free Recall Alerts at NHTSA.gov or through NHTSA’s SaferCar app, available for Apple and Android devices. 

Anyone who believes their vehicle may have a safety-related defect that is not part of a current recall should report it to NHTSA.gov or via the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.