WhatWeDrive

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the data come from?

All complaint, recall, and safety rating data comes directly from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) public APIs. It is the same data behind nhtsa.gov.

How often is it updated?

Data is cached for 24 hours and refreshed daily. NHTSA complaint and recall data is updated continuously on their end.

Why is my vehicle not showing any data?

Some vehicles — especially older, rare, or commercial models — may have limited NHTSA records. Not all vehicles undergo NHTSA crash testing, so safety ratings may be unavailable. Try variations of the make or model name (e.g. "F-150" vs "F150").

What is a Park-It warning?

A Park-It warning means NHTSA has advised owners not to drive the vehicle until the recall repair is completed. This is issued for the most serious safety risks.

What do the star ratings mean?

NHTSA rates vehicles on a 1–5 star scale for frontal crash, side crash, and rollover resistance. 5 stars is the highest rating. These tests are conducted by NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Is this free?

Yes. Always. No account required.