Late last month, the National Highway Transportation Safety Commission (NHTSA) announced the launching of a new, free web site that allows vehicle owners to determine if their personal vehicle has been recalled for manufacturer defects. The website allows vehicle owners to look up any outstanding or incomplete recalls by entering their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). To find your vehicle’s VIN, you can look either on the driver side dashboard, just underneath the windshield or on the identification plate mounted on the driver’s side door post.

NHTSA has also developed apps for Apple devices and Android devices that could come in handy to find out if that used car you’re thinking about buying has any outstanding recall issues. Read more: U.S. Department of Transportation Unveils New, Free, Online Search Tool for Recalls Using Vehicle Identification Number