# NHTSA Recall & Defect Investigation Tracker API (`nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker`) Actor

VIN-range + investigation-stage + severity-classified feed of NHTSA vehicle recalls. Severity buckets (fire/crash/FMVSS), affected-unit counts, NCAP rating join, complaint signal. For lemon-law / product-liability firms, auto insurers, fleet managers, analysts.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker.md
- **Developed by:** [NexGenData](https://apify.com/nexgendata) (community)
- **Categories:** Business
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $100.00 / 1,000 recall records

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md):

```bash
npm install apify-client
```

In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md):

```bash
pip install apify-client
```

In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):

````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash

In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md).

If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).


# README

## NHTSA Recall & Defect Investigation Tracker API

Track NHTSA vehicle recalls and defect investigations — campaigns, components and defect summaries.

> Public product-safety records — for monitoring, not a safety determination.

### ⏰ Run this as a monitoring subscription (recommended)
Regulatory data is monitoring data. Schedule a weekly sweep (`0 8 * * 1`) and catch new recalls as they post — an always-on official-records feed.

### 📊 What you get
Clean JSON, one record per recall (full output has 28 fields):

- `recall_id` — Recall id
- `campaign_number` — Campaign number
- `manufacturer` — Manufacturer
- `make` — Make
- `model` — Model
- `model_year` — Model year
- `component` — Component
- `defect_summary` — Defect summary
- `consequence_summary` — Consequence summary
- `corrective_action` — Corrective action

**Pricing:** $0.100 per recall (Pay-Per-Event) — about **10 recalls per $1**.

### 🤖 Use with AI agents
Point Claude, the OpenAI Agents SDK, an n8n flow or any MCP-aware client at it and pull official records on demand.

**Agentic payments (x402):** Supports agentic payment via x402 — agents can call this actor with USDC, no API key required.

### 🔗 Related regulatory actors
**Product-safety monitoring — recalls across agencies:**

[NHTSA Recalls](https://apify.com/nexgendata/nhtsa-us-vehicle-recalls) · [NHTSA Safety](https://apify.com/nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-safety-intelligence) · [CPSC Recalls](https://apify.com/nexgendata/cpsc-product-recalls)

**Agent front door — Healthcare & FDA MCP:** [Healthcare & FDA MCP](https://apify.com/nexgendata/healthcare-fda-intelligence-mcp)


*This actor is currently private — treated and ready for review.*
---
*Public official records and enforcement data, assembled for research and monitoring.*

# Actor input Schema

## `make` (type: `string`):

Vehicle manufacturer as indexed by NHTSA (case-insensitive). Examples: `Tesla`, `Ford`, `Toyota`, `Honda`, `Chevrolet`, `Jeep`, `BMW`. Leave blank to default to Tesla. The make string must match NHTSA's official spelling — common gotcha: `Mercedes-Benz` (hyphenated) NOT `Mercedes Benz`, `Land Rover` (two words) NOT `LandRover`.
## `model` (type: `string`):

Vehicle model as indexed by NHTSA (case-insensitive). Examples: `Model 3`, `F-150`, `Camry`, `Civic`, `Silverado 1500`, `Wrangler`. Tesla models use a space (`Model 3`, `Model Y`, `Model S`, `Model X`). NHTSA stores trim variants under the base model — `F-150` covers Lightning + Raptor + Tremor.
## `year_from` (type: `integer`):

Start of the model-year window (inclusive). NHTSA recalls are indexed by model year, NOT recall posting year — a 2018 vehicle can be recalled in 2026 and shows up under model-year 2018. Default 2020 captures recent active fleet. For lemon-law discovery on older vehicles, set to 2010-2015.
## `year_to` (type: `integer`):

End of the model-year window (inclusive). Default 2026 captures current model year. Many recalls land 12-36 months after a model's release as defect patterns surface — for early-warning monitoring of just-released vehicles set this to the current year.
## `severity` (type: `string`):

Filter recalls by their inferred severity class. `fire_risk`=thermal/electrical fire risk (battery fires, electrical shorts, overheating). `crash_risk`=loss of braking/steering/airbag/sudden acceleration. `non_compliance`=FMVSS labeling / lighting / non-safety regulatory misses. `all`=no filter. Classification is regex-based on Component + Consequence + Summary; some recalls match multiple classes — first-match wins (fire > crash > non-compliance > other).
## `max_records` (type: `integer`):

Hard cap on records pushed to the dataset (and metered for the per-record billing event). Records are returned newest-first by ReportReceivedDate, so a low cap returns the most recent activity. Each recall-record is billed at the per-event proposed price (see actor pricing). Default 50 = a typical fleet/legal compliance scan batch.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "make": "Tesla",
  "model": "Model 3",
  "year_from": 2020,
  "year_to": 2026,
  "severity": "all",
  "max_records": 50
}
````

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "make": "Tesla",
    "model": "Model 3",
    "year_from": 2020,
    "year_to": 2026,
    "severity": "all",
    "max_records": 50
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "make": "Tesla",
    "model": "Model 3",
    "year_from": 2020,
    "year_to": 2026,
    "severity": "all",
    "max_records": 50,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "make": "Tesla",
  "model": "Model 3",
  "year_from": 2020,
  "year_to": 2026,
  "severity": "all",
  "max_records": 50
}' |
apify call nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=nexgendata/nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

```json
{
    "openapi": "3.0.1",
    "info": {
        "title": "NHTSA Recall & Defect Investigation Tracker API",
        "description": "VIN-range + investigation-stage + severity-classified feed of NHTSA vehicle recalls. Severity buckets (fire/crash/FMVSS), affected-unit counts, NCAP rating join, complaint signal. For lemon-law / product-liability firms, auto insurers, fleet managers, analysts.",
        "version": "0.0",
        "x-build-id": "a19qcqSHZ0grNBPKO"
    },
    "servers": [
        {
            "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
        }
    ],
    "paths": {
        "/acts/nexgendata~nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-nexgendata-nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/nexgendata~nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker/runs": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "runs-sync-nexgendata-nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK",
                        "content": {
                            "application/json": {
                                "schema": {
                                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/nexgendata~nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker/run-sync": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-nexgendata-nhtsa-vehicle-recall-defect-tracker",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    },
    "components": {
        "schemas": {
            "inputSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "make": {
                        "title": "Vehicle make",
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "Vehicle manufacturer as indexed by NHTSA (case-insensitive). Examples: `Tesla`, `Ford`, `Toyota`, `Honda`, `Chevrolet`, `Jeep`, `BMW`. Leave blank to default to Tesla. The make string must match NHTSA's official spelling — common gotcha: `Mercedes-Benz` (hyphenated) NOT `Mercedes Benz`, `Land Rover` (two words) NOT `LandRover`.",
                        "default": "Tesla"
                    },
                    "model": {
                        "title": "Vehicle model",
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "Vehicle model as indexed by NHTSA (case-insensitive). Examples: `Model 3`, `F-150`, `Camry`, `Civic`, `Silverado 1500`, `Wrangler`. Tesla models use a space (`Model 3`, `Model Y`, `Model S`, `Model X`). NHTSA stores trim variants under the base model — `F-150` covers Lightning + Raptor + Tremor.",
                        "default": "Model 3"
                    },
                    "year_from": {
                        "title": "Earliest model year",
                        "minimum": 1990,
                        "maximum": 2030,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "Start of the model-year window (inclusive). NHTSA recalls are indexed by model year, NOT recall posting year — a 2018 vehicle can be recalled in 2026 and shows up under model-year 2018. Default 2020 captures recent active fleet. For lemon-law discovery on older vehicles, set to 2010-2015.",
                        "default": 2020
                    },
                    "year_to": {
                        "title": "Latest model year",
                        "minimum": 1990,
                        "maximum": 2030,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "End of the model-year window (inclusive). Default 2026 captures current model year. Many recalls land 12-36 months after a model's release as defect patterns surface — for early-warning monitoring of just-released vehicles set this to the current year.",
                        "default": 2026
                    },
                    "severity": {
                        "title": "Severity class filter",
                        "enum": [
                            "all",
                            "fire_risk",
                            "crash_risk",
                            "non_compliance"
                        ],
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "Filter recalls by their inferred severity class. `fire_risk`=thermal/electrical fire risk (battery fires, electrical shorts, overheating). `crash_risk`=loss of braking/steering/airbag/sudden acceleration. `non_compliance`=FMVSS labeling / lighting / non-safety regulatory misses. `all`=no filter. Classification is regex-based on Component + Consequence + Summary; some recalls match multiple classes — first-match wins (fire > crash > non-compliance > other).",
                        "default": "all"
                    },
                    "max_records": {
                        "title": "Max recall records to return",
                        "minimum": 1,
                        "maximum": 1000,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "Hard cap on records pushed to the dataset (and metered for the per-record billing event). Records are returned newest-first by ReportReceivedDate, so a low cap returns the most recent activity. Each recall-record is billed at the per-event proposed price (see actor pricing). Default 50 = a typical fleet/legal compliance scan batch.",
                        "default": 50
                    }
                }
            },
            "runsResponseSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "data": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "properties": {
                            "id": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "actId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "userId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "startedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "finishedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "status": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "READY"
                            },
                            "meta": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "origin": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "API"
                                    },
                                    "userAgent": {
                                        "type": "string"
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "stats": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "inputBodyLen": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2000
                                    },
                                    "rebootCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "restartCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "resurrectCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "computeUnits": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "options": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "build": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "latest"
                                    },
                                    "timeoutSecs": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 300
                                    },
                                    "memoryMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1024
                                    },
                                    "diskMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2048
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "buildId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultDatasetId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultRequestQueueId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "buildNumber": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "1.0.0"
                            },
                            "containerUrl": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "usage": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "usageTotalUsd": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "example": 0.00005
                            },
                            "usageUsd": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "number",
                                        "example": 0.00005
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```