You hear about a recall on the news, or a friend forwards a notice, and the question is simple: is the one in my house affected? Answering it takes two things, the right government site and the exact numbers off your product. Here is how we would do it.
Recall notices cover specific models, serial ranges, lots or dates, so always confirm on the official notice before you stop using or return anything.
How do I check if a product I own has been recalled?
Find the brand, exact model number and serial number, then search the government recall site for that kind of product. For household goods that is CPSC's recall list at cpsc.gov/Recalls. Recalls.gov links the six federal agencies in one place. Open the official notice and match every identifier, not just the brand.
The CPSC recall list shows each notice with the hazard, the remedy, the units involved and how to reach the company. Recalls.gov calls itself a one stop shop for U.S. Government recalls and lets you browse by agency.
Which recall site should I search for each kind of product?
It depends on who regulates the product. CPSC covers most household goods, from heaters and dressers to toys. NHTSA covers vehicles, tires, car seats and equipment. FDA covers food, medicine, cosmetics and medical devices. Boats go to the Coast Guard. Recalls.gov groups all of them, so start there if you are unsure.
| Product type | Where to search | Number to match | Example (example data) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliances, heaters, furniture, electronics, toys | cpsc.gov/Recalls, then the maker's recall page | Model and serial number, sometimes date code | Space heater, model SH-200B, serial 24K118 |
| Baby gear (cribs, strollers, high chairs) | cpsc.gov/Recalls; registration card | Model name and number, manufacture date | Stroller, model TR-5, made 03/2025 |
| Cars, tires, car seats | nhtsa.gov/recalls | VIN; car seat model and manufacture date | 2021 sedan, VIN on dashboard |
| Boats and boating gear | recalls.gov (Coast Guard) | Hull ID or model | Kayak, hull ID photo on file |
| Food, medicine, cosmetics | recalls.gov, FDA recalls | Lot number and date code | Pain reliever, lot 4A21 |
| Not recalled but seems unsafe | saferproducts.gov (report and search) | Model, where and when bought | Charger that overheats |
For food and medicine, the FDA's recall explainer covers how those recalls work.
Why do I need the model and serial number?
Because recalls rarely cover every unit a brand sold. A notice usually lists specific model numbers, serial ranges, lot codes or production dates. Two heaters from the same brand can differ by one suffix. Read the label on the product itself, copy the full number including letters at the end, and photograph it.
For some products the label is required. CPSC's durable infant products FAQ says cribs, strollers and similar baby gear must permanently show the manufacturer, the model name and number, and the date of manufacture on the product. For vehicles, use the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. For everything else, the manual usually shows where the label sits. If you have kept good records, you may already have it; our guide to document brand, model and serial numbers explains how.
What to record for each item you might need to look up
- ☐ Brand
- ☐ Exact model number, including letters at the end
- ☐ Serial number
- ☐ Photo of the label
- ☐ Purchase date and where you bought it
- ☐ Registered with the maker? Yes or no
- ☐ Receipt and manual attached
Copy this blank table for your own lookups:
| Product type | Where to search | Number to match | Example (example data) |
|---|---|---|---|
How do I get recall notices for things I already own?
Register what you can and subscribe to official alerts. NHTSA says to register your vehicle, tires, car seats and equipment and check recalls twice a year. CPSC offers recall emails. For cribs, strollers, high chairs and other baby gear, makers must include a registration card so they can contact you about a recall.
The CPSC recall page puts it simply: never miss a recall, subscribe for recall emails. Recalls.gov links to email alerts as well. The registration card rule for baby gear comes from 16 CFR part 1130, which exists to improve recall effectiveness and requires makers to keep registrant contact records. For appliances, filling in the maker's registration card or online form is worth doing too.
What should I do if something I own is recalled?
Stop using it if the notice says to, then follow the notice exactly. CPSC notices name the remedy, usually a refund, repair or replacement, and tell you how to contact the company. Some ask for a photo or proof the item was disabled. Keep the notice and your confirmation with the item's record.
CPSC lists remedies such as a refund, repair, replacement, disposal or new instructions. If you think a product is unsafe but there is no recall, report it on SaferProducts.gov. You can also search the reports there to see whether others have had the same problem.
Keeping model numbers where you can find them
Vorby does not check recalls for you and does not send recall alerts. It keeps the model number where you can find it in seconds when a notice comes out.
- Add the model number and serial into the item's notes or description once you find them. There is no separate model or serial field, and Vorby does not read numbers from photos. Add a photo of the label alongside the item's other photos.
- When a notice names a brand or model, search the home you have open for it. Search matches the names, descriptions, brands and notes you typed, not text inside photos or files.
- Attach the notice and receipt to the item, along with your remedy confirmation.
- Use labels like "Registered" or "Recall checked 2026" to see what you have covered.
- Set warranty reminders from the purchase date and warranty length while you are in there.
A yearly inventory review is a good time to fill in missing model numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official app for product recalls?
Not from CPSC in the App Store; for household goods, use cpsc.gov/Recalls in your phone's browser. NHTSA does publish an official iPhone app, SaferCar, for vehicles, tires and car seats. Recalls.gov covers everything else. CPSC and NHTSA both offer email alerts, which reach you without installing anything new.
Can I check a recall by serial number?
Usually you search by brand or model, then use the serial number to confirm. Recall notices often list a serial range or production dates, so a model match alone may not mean your unit is affected. Compare your serial number against the range in the official notice, or call the number the notice gives.
Will I be told automatically if something I own is recalled?
Only if the maker or seller can reach you. Registering a product gives the manufacturer your contact details, and NHTSA says car makers notify registered owners by mail. For most household goods there is no automatic notice, so registering, subscribing to CPSC emails and checking once a year is the safer habit.
How often should I check my things for recalls?
Once or twice a year is a reasonable rhythm, plus whenever you hear about a recall for something you own. NHTSA suggests checking vehicle recalls twice a year. Pair it with your yearly home inventory review so the model numbers you need are already written down and easy to search.
Get ready for the next notice
Write the brand and model number into each item's notes or description in Vorby, so the next time a recall makes the news you can search your house in seconds.
