Look Up The Recall Code On Your Letter: Find The Matching UK Safety Recall, What It Fixes And How Serious It Is

Type the code printed on your recall letter, the manufacturer's campaign reference, to find the matching UK safety recall registered with DVSA. 99.2 % of car recalls launched since 2020 carry one.¹ If your code is not found, the reasons and next steps appear below the box.

Where Is The Recall Code On My Letter?

The campaign code usually sits near the top of the letter, next to words such as "campaign", "recall number", "safety recall notice" or "reference". It is not your registration or your customer number.

1. 1
   Who it is fromThe manufacturer or its UK importer, never a third-party firm asking for payment.
2. 2
   Campaign codeThe manufacturer’s reference. Quote it when you book; look it up on our code page.
3. 3
   Your vehicleRegistration and VIN, so you can check it is your car.
4. 4
   The defectWhat is wrong with the part.
5. 5
   The riskWhat could happen if the fault occurs.
6. 6
   The fixThe repair, inspection or software update, normally free at a franchised dealer.
7. 7
   UrgencyAny instruction such as do not drive, or a limit on use.
8. 8
   How to bookThe helpline or dealer route, and what to have ready.

Look for a short mix of letters and numbers, often in bold or in a box. Some letters show two references, the manufacturer's campaign code and an internal one. Try the shorter code first. If the letter came by email or text, the code is usually in the subject line or first paragraph. Our guide to what a recall letter from the manufacturer means shows every part of a genuine notice.

How Each Manufacturer Writes Its Recall Codes

Each brand uses its own format. Ford codes look like 25SC4, the Stellantis brands (Vauxhall, Citroën, Peugeot and DS) use three characters such as GK2, and BMW uses a 10-digit number.

For Vauxhall, Citroën, Peugeot and DS, DVSA stores the code with a longer number after it, such as GK2-222006EE. Type just the three characters from your letter and the lookup matches the start of the reference.¹

Codes are not always unique. 131 codes appear on more than one DVSA recall, for example Jeep "66A" and the Jaguar and Land Rover code "D008", so the lookup always shows the make and launch date and asks you to pick the right one.¹ Each make's page, such as the Citroën recall check or the Ford recall check, lists every code for that brand.

What Is A Recall Campaign Code?

A recall campaign code is the manufacturer's reference for one recall campaign. DVSA records it alongside its own reference, for example R/2025/527, so dealers, owners and DVSA can match the same campaign.

The two references do different jobs. The DVSA reference follows the pattern R/year/number and is what appears on the official recall list. The manufacturer's code is what the dealer types into its system to book the repair. Our recall pages show both, so you can quote either one when you call. Since 2020 almost every car recall has had a manufacturer's code recorded in DVSA's file.¹ See what a car recall means.

Safety Recall Or Service Campaign?

A safety recall fixes a defect that affects safety and is registered with DVSA. A service campaign or goodwill action fixes a non-safety issue and does not appear on DVSA's recall list.²

If your dealer quotes a code that is not on the DVSA list, ask whether it is a safety recall or a service campaign. Both are worth doing, but only a safety recall carries the protections described on this site.

Why Your Code Might Not Be Found

A code can be missing because the campaign was launched after our last weekly update, because it is a service campaign rather than a safety recall, because it is an overseas code, or because of a typing error.²⁷

If none of these helps, call the manufacturer with your VIN. Our manufacturer recall helplines page lists each brand's official number, and where to find your VIN shows where to look.

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Checking it's genuine

Is The Code On My Letter Genuine?

A genuine recall can be matched on DVSA's list with our lookup, or confirmed by the manufacturer with your VIN, and it never asks you to pay or give card details. If a message pushes for payment, it is a scam.⁵

• the code matches a recall for your make in the lookup on this page
• the letter names your vehicle, often with the VIN
• the contact number appears on the manufacturer's own website
• nobody asks for money or card details

Paid history checks have also been found to miss open recalls, so the free routes are worth using.⁸ See car recall scams.

US Codes, Fault Codes And Radio Codes

Codes such as "23V-858" are US NHTSA campaign numbers, and engine fault codes such as P229F or radio codes are not recall codes.⁷ For a UK recall, use the code on the UK letter, your VIN or your registration.

US campaign numbers start with a two-digit year followed by V, and they often appear in American articles and forum posts. A car sold in the UK may be covered by a related UK recall with a different code, or by none at all. Run your registration through our car recall check to see the UK position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Recall Code The Same As The DVSA Reference?

No. The code is the manufacturer's; the DVSA reference looks like R/2025/527. Our recall pages show both.

Can I Check A Recall By Code On GOV.UK?

GOV.UK checks by registration, or by make and model. The lookup on this page matches the manufacturer's code to DVSA's recall list.

My Dealer Quoted A Different Code. Why?

Dealers sometimes use an internal or service campaign code. Ask whether it is a safety recall and for the DVSA reference.

Does A Code Mean My Car Is Definitely Affected?

No. A code identifies the campaign. Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, so confirm with the manufacturer.

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Data: DVSA vehicle recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026. Code formats are generated from the latest recalls for each make.