Guide · Oct 14, 2026
How to Check if a Product You Own Has Been Recalled
Find the model or lot code, search the right agency, and match it exactly. Every official lookup in one place.
By the Consumer Sun editorial team · Last updated
[//]: # (image-alt: Woman Looking at the Product)
Short answer: To check if something you own has been recalled, find its brand, model number and lot or date code, then search the agency that oversees that kind of product: the CPSC for household and kids' products, the FDA for food, pet food and medicine, the USDA for meat, poultry and eggs, and NHTSA for cars, tires and car seats. You can search all of the non-vehicle ones at once on our recall search. It's free.
Last checked October 14, 2026. Agency links and lookups were current as of that date.
Step 1: Find the identifying details
A recall almost never covers every unit a brand sold. It covers certain models, sizes, lots or dates. Before you search, grab:
| Product type | What to look for | Where it usually is |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances, electronics, furniture | Brand, model number, date code | Label on the back or bottom, or in the manual |
| Packaged food and pet food | Brand, product name, size, lot code, best-by date, UPC | Printed on the bag seam, can lid or carton end |
| Medicine and supplements | Product name, lot number, expiration date | Bottle label or box end flap |
| Baby gear (cribs, strollers, high chairs) | Model number and date of manufacture | A permanent label required by federal rule |
| Car seats | Model number and date of manufacture | Label on the seat shell or base |
| Vehicles | 17-character VIN | Registration, insurance card, or the driver-side dashboard |
Step 2: Search the right agency
| If it's... | Official source | What you can search |
|---|---|---|
| A household, kids' or outdoor product | CPSC recalls | Brand, product, keyword |
| Food, drinks, supplements, medicine | FDA recalls | Brand, product |
| Dog or cat food, pet treats, animal drugs | FDA animal recalls | Brand, product |
| Meat, poultry, egg products | USDA FSIS recalls | Product, establishment number |
| Car, truck, tire, car seat | NHTSA recalls | VIN, or brand and model for car seats and tires |
| Not sure | Recalls.gov | Points you to the right agency |
Our recall center pulls CPSC, FDA and NHTSA records into one search, refreshed every few hours, with a link back to each agency's own notice. It doesn't include USDA meat and poultry recalls yet, so check FSIS directly for those.
Step 3: Match the details exactly
Open the recall notice and compare it line by line with your product. A match means the same product name and size, plus a model, lot or date that falls inside what the notice lists. For example, the Ninja Foodi pressure cooker recall lists a dozen OP300-series model numbers, and the Evenflo Titan 65 recall lists four. If your model number is close but not listed, it's usually not included. If you can't tell, call the number on the notice before you keep using it.
Step 4: Check where you bought it
Big retailers post recalls too, and some will tell you directly:
- Amazon recalls: Amazon lists recalls on a "Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts" page tied to your account.
- Walmart recalls: Walmart links each recall notice for things sold at Walmart and Sam's Club.
- Costco recalls: Costco posts notices on its Recalls & Product Notices page.
Step 5: Register what you can
If you register a product with the maker, they can contact you directly if it's recalled. For baby gear and car seats, federal rules require a registration card in the box. Our guide to product registration explains how it works and what the company can and can't do with your details.
If your product is recalled
Stop using it unless the notice says otherwise, and follow the remedy it lists: a refund, a repair kit or a replacement. Keep the item until the notice tells you what to do with it, since many companies ask for photos or a cut cord as proof. Our guide to recall refunds covers each type of remedy and what to do if a company doesn't respond.
Specific products people check most
Related guides
- How to get a refund for a recalled product
- Product registration and recalls
- Amazon recalls, Walmart recalls and Costco recalls
- All recall categories
*Photo: Rachel Claire / Pexels*
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a product is recalled?
Find the brand, model and lot or date code, then search the agency that covers it: CPSC for household goods, FDA for food and medicine, USDA for meat and poultry, NHTSA for vehicles and car seats. A product is recalled only if your exact model or lot is listed in the notice.
What is the best website to check for recalls?
Use the agency that covers your product, since its notice is the official record. Recalls.gov points to all of them. Our [recall search](/recalls) checks CPSC, FDA and NHTSA records together and links to each agency's notice. For a car, use NHTSA's VIN lookup.
What app can I use to check for recalls?
For cars, NHTSA's free VIN lookup works in any phone browser. For other products, no single app covers every agency. You can search the agencies' websites, use our [recall search](/recalls) on your phone, or add items to **Watch my items** to get an email if they're recalled.
Are recall checks free?
Yes. Searching CPSC, FDA, USDA and NHTSA is free, and NHTSA's VIN lookup is free. Vehicle safety recall repairs are generally done free at a dealer. Be careful with sites that charge for a "recall report." The same information is on the agency sites at no cost.