# VIN Decoder & Vehicle Data — NHTSA (`ponderable_hydrometer/vin-decoder`) Actor Decode any VIN into make, model, year, engine, trim, body and plant — plus vehicle catalog (models by make/year) and recalls, complaints & safety ratings. Free, no key. - **URL**: https://apify.com/ponderable\_hydrometer/vin-decoder.md - **Developed by:** [Ponderable Hydrometer](https://apify.com/ponderable_hydrometer) (community) - **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, SEO tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.00 / 1,000 results 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.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.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/platform/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 ## VIN Decoder & Vehicle Data — NHTSA vPIC + Recalls **Decode any VIN into make, model, year, engine, body, trim and fuel — batch up to 50 per call — plus browse the full vehicle catalog and pull recalls, complaints and NHTSA crash-test safety ratings, all in one actor.** Two clean US-government APIs (vPIC + NHTSA safety), free and keyless. Perfect for automotive apps, dealers, insurers, fleet tools, marketplaces and research. ### Modes - **decode-vin** — decode one or many VINs into flat vehicle fields. Batches 50 VINs per NHTSA call. Set `includeRecalls` to also attach recalls for each decoded vehicle. - **vehicle-catalog** — with `make` + `year`, list all models; without them, list all makes. - **recalls** — for a `make`/`model`/`year`, return recalls, complaints and crash-test safety ratings in one run. ### What you get - **Decoded VIN** — `make`, `model`, `modelYear`, `manufacturer`, `vehicleType`, `bodyClass`, `trim`, `doors`, `driveType`, `engineCylinders`, `displacementL`/`displacementCC`, `engineHP`, `fuelTypePrimary`/`Secondary`, `transmissionStyle`/`Speeds`, `gvwr`, `plantCountry`/`plantCity`, `series`, `errorCode`/`errorText`, plus a full `raw` object with all ~130 vPIC fields - **Catalog** — makes (`makeId`, `make`) and models (`makeId`, `make`, `modelId`, `model`) - **Recalls** — campaign number, component, summary, consequence, remedy, dates, park-it flags - **Complaints** — ODI number, crash/fire flags, injuries/deaths, components, summary - **Safety ratings** — NHTSA crash-test ratings (full raw NHTSA record) ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | `mode` | enum | `decode-vin` | `decode-vin`, `vehicle-catalog`, `recalls` | | `vins` | array | — | 17-char VINs (decode-vin) | | `make` | string | — | Vehicle make (catalog with year; recalls) | | `model` | string | — | Vehicle model (recalls) | | `year` | string | — | Model year (catalog with make; recalls) | | `includeRecalls` | boolean | `false` | decode-vin: also attach recalls per decoded VIN | #### Example input ```json {"mode":"decode-vin","vins":["1HGCM82633A004352","5UXWX7C5*BA"]} ```` Models for a make + year: ```json {"mode":"vehicle-catalog","make":"honda","year":"2020"} ``` Recalls, complaints & safety ratings: ```json {"mode":"recalls","make":"honda","model":"accord","year":"2020"} ``` ### Output (one decoded VIN) Fields below are the real normalizer output (`raw` truncated for brevity): ```json { "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "make": "HONDA", "model": "Accord", "modelYear": "2003", "manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.", "vehicleType": "PASSENGER CAR", "bodyClass": "Coupe", "trim": "EX", "doors": "2", "driveType": "FWD/Front-Wheel Drive", "engineCylinders": "6", "displacementL": "3.0", "displacementCC": "2998", "engineHP": null, "fuelTypePrimary": "Gasoline", "fuelTypeSecondary": null, "transmissionStyle": null, "gvwr": "Class 1: 6,000 lb or less", "plantCountry": "UNITED STATES (USA)", "plantCity": "MARYSVILLE", "series": "EX", "errorCode": "0", "errorText": "0 - VIN decoded clean. Check Digit (9th position) is correct", "raw": { "VIN": "1HGCM82633A004352", "Make": "HONDA", "…": "…" } } ``` Missing values mean NHTSA has no data for that variable, not that a feature is absent. ### Why this actor - **Decode + safety in one** — VIN decode, catalog, recalls, complaints and ratings without juggling APIs. - **Batch decode** — 50 VINs per call keeps it fast and cheap at scale. - **Nothing lost** — every decoded VIN keeps the full `raw` vPIC object. ### Pricing Pay per result — **$2.00 per 1,000 results** (one result = one decoded VIN / catalog row / recall / complaint / rating). No subscription or platform fees. ### Related actors - **FDA Recalls Scraper** — food/drug/device recalls from openFDA. - **SEC EDGAR Scraper** — US public-company filings. ### Notes & limits - Decoding reflects what NHTSA has on file (US-market vehicles); coverage of non-US models varies. - Public official data (NHTSA vPIC + safety APIs); independent tool, not affiliated with NHTSA. You are responsible for compliant use of the output. # Actor input Schema ## `mode` (type: `string`): What to fetch: decode-vin (decode VINs), vehicle-catalog (makes, or models for a make+year), recalls (recalls + complaints + safety ratings for make/model/year). ## `vins` (type: `array`): One or more 17-char VINs, e.g. \["1HGCM82633A004352"]. Batched 50 per NHTSA call. Used when mode = decode-vin. ## `make` (type: `string`): Vehicle make, e.g. "honda". Used by vehicle-catalog (with year) and recalls. ## `model` (type: `string`): Vehicle model, e.g. "accord". Used by recalls. ## `year` (type: `string`): Model year, e.g. "2020". Used by vehicle-catalog (with make) and recalls. ## `includeRecalls` (type: `boolean`): When mode = decode-vin, also fetch recalls for each VIN's decoded make/model/year. ## Actor input object example ```json { "mode": "decode-vin", "vins": [ "1HGCM82633A004352" ], "includeRecalls": false } ``` # 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 '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "vins": [ "1HGCM82633A004352" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("ponderable_hydrometer/vin-decoder").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 '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "vins": ["1HGCM82633A004352"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("ponderable_hydrometer/vin-decoder").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 '{ "vins": [ "1HGCM82633A004352" ] }' | apify call ponderable_hydrometer/vin-decoder --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=ponderable_hydrometer/vin-decoder", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "VIN Decoder & Vehicle Data — NHTSA", "description": "Decode any VIN into make, model, year, engine, trim, body and plant — plus vehicle catalog (models by make/year) and recalls, complaints & safety ratings. Free, no key.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "cuge2fFMmiRnhfOLq" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/ponderable_hydrometer~vin-decoder/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-ponderable_hydrometer-vin-decoder", "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/ponderable_hydrometer~vin-decoder/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-ponderable_hydrometer-vin-decoder", "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/ponderable_hydrometer~vin-decoder/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-ponderable_hydrometer-vin-decoder", "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": { "mode": { "title": "Mode", "enum": [ "decode-vin", "vehicle-catalog", "recalls" ], "type": "string", "description": "What to fetch: decode-vin (decode VINs), vehicle-catalog (makes, or models for a make+year), recalls (recalls + complaints + safety ratings for make/model/year).", "default": "decode-vin" }, "vins": { "title": "VINs to decode", "type": "array", "description": "One or more 17-char VINs, e.g. [\"1HGCM82633A004352\"]. Batched 50 per NHTSA call. Used when mode = decode-vin.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "make": { "title": "Make", "type": "string", "description": "Vehicle make, e.g. \"honda\". Used by vehicle-catalog (with year) and recalls." }, "model": { "title": "Model", "type": "string", "description": "Vehicle model, e.g. \"accord\". Used by recalls." }, "year": { "title": "Model year", "type": "string", "description": "Model year, e.g. \"2020\". Used by vehicle-catalog (with make) and recalls." }, "includeRecalls": { "title": "Attach recalls to decoded VINs", "type": "boolean", "description": "When mode = decode-vin, also fetch recalls for each VIN's decoded make/model/year.", "default": false } } }, "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 } } } } } } } } } } ```