# VIN Decoder + NHTSA Recalls (Bulk) (`shawndunn/vin-decoder-recalls`) Actor Decode VINs in batches of 50 with the US NHTSA vPIC database: make, model, year, trim, body, drive, fuel/EV level, engine, transmission, plant — plus open NHTSA recall campaigns for that model/year. - **URL**: https://apify.com/shawndunn/vin-decoder-recalls.md - **Developed by:** [CarrierDaily](https://apify.com/shawndunn) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce, Other - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing $1.50 / 1,000 vehicles 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/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes. 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. Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md. ## 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. Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run. For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below. Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`). # README ## VIN Decoder + NHTSA Recalls (Bulk) Decode VINs in batches of 50 with the US NHTSA vPIC database: make, model, year, trim, body, drive, fuel/EV level, engine, transmission, plant — plus open NHTSA recall campaigns for that model/year. ### Why this actor - Recalls in the same row as decode; batch endpoint for speed. - Pay only for results: **$1.50 per 1,000 vehicles**, no start fee, failed lookups are free. - Robust: automatic retries with exponential backoff, respects `Retry-After`, per-item error rows instead of crashed runs. - Clean, flat JSON/CSV/Excel output ready for Google Sheets, Make, Zapier, n8n, Clay, or the Apify API. ### Use cases - Used-car dealers and marketplaces - Fleet management - Insurance quoting - Auto parts fitment ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |---|---|---| | `vins` | array | 17-character VINs (batches of 50). US NHTSA vPIC database. | | `includeRecalls` | boolean | Recall campaigns for the decoded make/model/year. | | `maxItems` | integer | 0 = no limit. Caps cost. | Example input: ```json { "vins": [ "1HGCM82633A004352", "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000", "INVALIDVIN" ] } ``` ### Output Each dataset item looks like this (real sample from a test run, long fields trimmed): ```json { "vin": "1HGCM82633A004352", "make": "HONDA", "model": "Accord", "modelYear": "2003", "trim": "EX-V6", "series": null, "bodyClass": "Coupe", "vehicleType": "PASSENGER CAR", "driveType": null, "fuelTypePrimary": "Gasoline", "fuelTypeSecondary": null, "electrificationLevel": null, "engineCylinders": "6", "displacementL": "2.998832712", "engineHP": "240", "transmissionStyle": "Automatic", "doors": "2", "seats": null, "gVWR": "Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)", "plantCountry": "UNITED STATES (USA)", "plantCity": "MARYSVILLE", "manufacturer": "AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.", "errorCode": "0", "errorText": "0 - VIN decoded clean. Check Digit (9th position) is correct", "valid": true, "recallCount": 24, "recalls": [ { "campaign": "19V182000", "date": "06/03/2019", "component": "AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE", "summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 200\u2026" }, { "campaign": "19E068000", "date": "10/10/2019", "component": "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL", "summary": "Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR\u2026" }, { "campaign": "19V499000", "date": "27/06/2019", "component": "AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE", "summary": "Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Od\u2026" }, "\u2026" ], "scrapedAt": "2026-10-14T16:30:10+00:00" } ``` Rows that could not be processed contain an `error` field and are **not charged**. ### Pricing Pay-per-event: **$0.0015** per vehicle (= $1.50 / 1,000). Use **Max results** to cap spend. Apify's free plan credit covers thousands of results per month. ### Integrations & API Run on a schedule in Apify Console, call via the Apify API / Python & JS clients, or connect to Make, Zapier, n8n, Google Sheets, Slack and webhooks. Works as a tool for AI agents via Apify MCP. ### FAQ **Is this an official tool?** No. It is an independent actor and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by the data source or any trademark owner named here. **Is it legal?** The actor only reads publicly available data from public endpoints, without logins, and does not bypass paywalls or access controls. You are responsible for using the data in line with applicable laws (e.g. GDPR) and the source sites' terms. **Something broke?** Open an issue in the Issues tab; we typically respond within 24 hours and ship fixes fast. # Actor input Schema ## `vins` (type: `array`): 17-character VINs (batches of 50). US NHTSA vPIC database. ## `includeRecalls` (type: `boolean`): Recall campaigns for the decoded make/model/year. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): 0 = no limit. Caps cost. ## Actor input object example ```json { "vins": [ "1HGCM82633A004352", "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000" ], "includeRecalls": true, "maxItems": 0 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `overview` (type: `string`): No description ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # 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", "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("shawndunn/vin-decoder-recalls").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", "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000", ] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("shawndunn/vin-decoder-recalls").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}") for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).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", "5YJ3E1EA7KF317000" ] }' | apify call shawndunn/vin-decoder-recalls --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "type": "http", "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,shawndunn/vin-decoder-recalls" } } } ``` The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer ` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations). ## OpenAPI specification Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/177lU92s2PPjglyUQ/builds/jVvlTTrUhtbAnNhfh/openapi.json