A search tool geared toward increasing consumer awareness of auto recalls has reached a milestone: One hundred million vehicles have now been processed through the tool.

Carfax, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers jointly developed the Vehicle Recall Search Service, which launched in March 2018.

Those groups say approved commercial and government entities such as state departments of motor vehicles, auto insurers and finance companies can search for open recalls for thousands of autos at once. And they can do it free of charge.

According to the groups, the VIN search tool supplements automakers’ efforts and works toward informing the public so they can address recalls and improve safety.

Six state DMVs are currently signed up for the tool. New York is the first DMV to fully implement checks for open recalls during the vehicle inspection process, which the groups say helps improve public safety.

The New York DMV started using VRSS 10 months ago. In that time, it has checked 9.4 million vehicles and identified more than 1.6 million vehicles with open recalls. Drivers of vehicles with open recalls receive notification at the time of inspection, with recall details included on the state inspection report. 

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair also seeks to implement VRSS into its emissions inspection process.

“BAR is actively working to integrate data provided by Carfax and provide vehicle-specific safety recall information to every consumer who receives a Smog Check,” said BAR chief Patrick Dorais. “BAR is committed to consumer protection and is excited about the opportunity to positively influence safety recall compliance rates in California.”

“The Alliance is extremely pleased that 100 million VINs have been searched through our Vehicle Recall Search Service,” said Alliance interim president and chief executive officer David Schwietert. “This milestone highlights the value of providing supplemental notification to vehicle owners about open recalls that are addressed free of charge.  Simply put, our industry collaboration means that more vehicle recalls are remedied."

Interested parties can go online to apply for access and to learn more about the recall search tool.