VIN Decoder + Recalls API (NHTSA) 💰$2/1k

VIN Decoder + Recalls API

Decode vehicle identification numbers in bulk using the official US NHTSA vPIC database, and attach the safety recalls for that make, model and year. Built for used-car dealers, insurers, fleet managers, marketplaces and VIN-lookup apps.

What does VIN Decoder + Recalls API do?

• Make, model, year, trim, body, drive type, engine, fuel and plant
• Safety recalls with component, summary, consequence and remedy
• Invalid VINs are rejected before any charge
• Up to thousands of VINs per run

How to use it

1. Click Try for free and open the Input tab.
2. Fill in the fields below, or keep the defaults for a quick test.
3. Press Start. Results appear in the Output tab within seconds to a few minutes.
4. Download as JSON, CSV or Excel, or call the actor from the API, a schedule, Make, Zapier or an AI agent through the Apify MCP server.

Input

Field	Type	Description
vins	array	17-character VINs, one per line.
includeRecalls	boolean	Add NHTSA safety recalls for the make, model and year.
maxVins	integer	Cap per run.

Example input

{
  "vins": [
    "1HGCM82633A004352",
    "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000"
  ],
  "includeRecalls": true,
  "maxVins": 1000
}

Output

Each result is a flat JSON object that you can open in the Output tab, export to CSV or Excel, or read through the API. See the dataset views for the main columns.

How much does it cost to use VIN Decoder + Recalls API?

Pricing is pay per event: $0.002 per VIN. You pay only for results saved to the dataset, plus nothing extra for platform usage on the free plan limits. Apify's free monthly credit lets you test it before paying.

FAQ

Is this the per-VIN open recall status? No. Recalls are matched on make, model and year. Whether a specific car has had the repair done must be checked on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Does it cover non-US vehicles? vPIC is strongest for vehicles sold in the US and Canada. Others may decode partially.

Where does the data come from? The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a public-domain source.

Is it legal?

The actor reads public, open-licence or government data only and does not collect private information. You are responsible for using the results in line with the source's terms and applicable laws.

Use it with AI agents (MCP)

This actor is agent-ready: it is a plain tool with a documented JSON input and a flat JSON output, so Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and other agents can call it through the Apify MCP server.

Add it to an MCP client with this URL (Apify account or agentic payment required):

https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=flyingnimbus/vin-decoder-recalls

Example prompt: "Use the VIN Decoder + Recalls API tool with the example input below and summarise the results."

Calls are pay per event ($0.002 per VIN), so an agent can estimate the cost before it runs. Empty or failed lookups return a status record instead of failing the run.

More actors by flyingnimbus

• Property Details by Address API
• Schools Near Address Finder API
• School Rating Converter & Equivalence API
• Building Permits Multi-City API
• Company Registry Lookup (LEI + SEC)
• Restaurant Inspections API - NYC, Chicago, Toronto
• CVE Risk Enricher - NVD, CISA KEV & EPSS
• SEC Insider Trades (Form 4) - Buys & Sells
• SEC 13F Holdings Tracker
• EU Company Registry Search
• Canada Recalls & Safety Alerts Monitor
• Sitemap & Robots.txt Analyzer
• Email Validator - MX, SPF & DMARC
• Website Tech Stack Detector
• PDF Text & Table Extractor
• URL to Markdown + Metadata
• SSL Certificate Expiry Checker
• ClinicalTrials.gov Search API
• US Federal Contracts & Grants (USAspending)
• Federal Register Search API
• FDA Recalls & Drug Labels API
• Eurostat Data API
• UK Government Tenders (Contracts Finder)

Feedback

Found a bug or need another field or city? Open an issue on the actor's Issues tab and it will be looked at quickly.