PlainRecordsGuides
What to do when something is recalled
Short, plain-English steps for the most common recalls.
Something you own was recalled. What now?A calm, step-by-step guide: check if yours is affected, stop using it, get the free fix, refund or replacement, and report problems.Car recall: how to check your car and get it fixedHow to find out whether your own car has an open recall, what a do-not-drive warning means, and how to get the free repair at a dealer.Food recall: what to do with itCheck the lot code and date, do not eat it, return it for a refund or throw it away safely, clean up, and know the signs of Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli.Medicine recall: what to doCheck the lot number, do not stop prescription medicine on your own, ask your pharmacist for a replacement, and report side effects.A baby or kids' product was recalled: what to doCar seats, cribs, sleepers, strollers, toys and formula: how to check yours, keep your child safe right away, and get the free fix.Pet food recall: what to doCheck the lot code, stop feeding it, clean bowls and storage, watch your pet for signs of illness, and protect people in the house from germs.How serious is a recall? Classes and warnings explainedWhat FDA Class I, II and III mean, what an ongoing or terminated recall is, and what NHTSA do-not-drive and park-outside warnings mean.Getting your refund, replacement or repairWho to contact, what proof you need, what to do when the company does not answer, and how stores handle recalled products.How to report an unsafe productWhere to report a dangerous consumer product, a car defect, a food or medicine problem, or a pet food problem, and what to keep.