Tire recalls happen quietly. Unlike car recalls, where the manufacturer mails you a letter, tire recalls only reach you if you registered your tires at purchase — and most people don't. Here's how to check whether any tire on your car is under recall.
Where to check
The official source is the NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and search by tire brand, model line, and DOT code. The lookup is free, takes about a minute, and tells you whether a specific tire is under any active recall.
What you need
- The full DOT code from the sidewall (the entire string after 'DOT', not just the date)
- Tire brand and model
- Sometimes the tire size
The DOT code uniquely identifies the manufacturing plant and batch, so the recall lookup can match your specific tire to a specific production run.
What happens if your tire is recalled
If your tire is under active recall, the manufacturer is legally required to replace it at no cost. You'd take it to any authorized dealer or tire shop carrying that brand. They'll dismount the old tire, mount and balance a new one of the same model (or current equivalent), and bill the manufacturer.
Why people miss recalls
Tire registration is voluntary in the U.S., unlike car registration. Most independent tire shops don't register tires for customers because of the paperwork. Only about 25% of tires sold are actually registered, meaning 75% of recall-affected drivers never get notified.
Should you register your tires?
Yes. Every major tire manufacturer has online registration — usually two minutes per tire. You'll need the DOT code from each tire and a few details about the vehicle. Once registered, you get direct notification of any recall affecting your specific tires.
We register every tire we ship. If you buy from us and there's ever a recall, you'll hear about it.
Recalls vs warranty issues
A recall is a safety-critical defect that affects the public. A warranty claim is a defect that affects your specific tire. If your tire has a manufacturing defect (a sidewall bulge, premature wear pattern, etc.) but no recall is in effect, you may still have a warranty claim with the manufacturer. Save your receipt and the DOT code.
Two minutes at nhtsa.gov/recalls is a lot less than the cost of an unexpected tire failure.