Check NHTSA Crash Test Scores & Safety Features
Check car safety ratings by VIN before you buy or sell. See NHTSA crash test scores, safety features, and rollover risk in seconds, so you know exactly how protected you'll be.
What Are Vehicle Safety Ratings?
Vehicle safety ratings are scores given by the government after crash testing a car. Agencies like NHTSA rate how well a vehicle protects the driver and passengers in a real-world crash.
Knowing these scores before buying helps you pick a safer car for your family and helps sellers prove their vehicle still meets today's crash safety standards and expectations.
How to Check Car Safety Ratings by VIN
Checking a car's government safety ratings by VIN is easy. Just retrieve the window sticker to see the official NHTSA crash test scores and the safety features.
Enter the VIN
Type in the 17-character VIN into the form at the top. You can also search by license plate or the year, make, and model.
Submit the Form
Submit the form to preview the vehicle specs for free. These include the year, make, model, trim, engine size, and transmission, so you can confirm it's the right car.
Get the Window Sticker
Make the payment to generate the window sticker to find NHTSA safety ratings, safety features, and other key build information.
Safety Features & Information You Can Find in the Window Sticker
A window sticker lists more than crash scores. Here's every safety rating and safety feature you'll find when you check car safety ratings by VIN.
NHTSA Safety Ratings
NHTSA scores vehicles from one to five stars across four categories, based on real crash test results conducted at government facilities.
Overall Vehicle Score
This single score combines all crash test results into one overall safety rating for the vehicle.
Frontal Crash
This rating shows how well the car protects occupants during a head-on collision at test speed.
Side Crash
This rating measures protection during a side-impact collision, one of the most dangerous crash types on the road.
Rollover
This score estimates the risk of a vehicle rolling over during a sharp turn or sudden swerve.
Safety Features
Beyond crash scores, the window sticker also lists the safety equipment installed on the vehicle, both standard and optional advanced tech.
Advanced Safety Features (ADAS)
These are advanced driver-assist features like automatic braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring for added protection.
Standard Safety Equipment
This includes airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control required on nearly all new vehicles.
Other Information Provided in a Vehicle Window Sticker
Beyond safety ratings, a window sticker packs in several other details buyers should check. Here's what else you'll find listed on the label.
Model Information
Year, make, model, and trim level, along with the vehicle's series or package name if the automaker uses one.
Pricing Information
Base MSRP, optional equipment cost, destination charge, and total MSRP, sometimes including a separate line for gas guzzler tax if it applies.
Optional Equipment
Extras like heated seats, heated steering wheel, sunroof, upgraded wheels, navigation, and premium audio, each listed with its individual price.
Mechanical Features
Engine type and displacement, transmission, drivetrain, and sometimes towing capacity or GVWR, depending on the vehicle class.
Safety and Security Features
Driver-assist features, airbag count and location, daytime running lamps, backup cameras, and anti-theft or immobilizer systems.
Colors
Interior and exterior color names, along with the specific material, such as cloth, leather, or leatherette upholstery.
Fuel Economy
City MPG, highway MPG, combined MPG, and annual fuel cost estimate, or MPGe and estimated range for electric vehicles.
Warranty Coverage
Bumper-to-bumper warranty, powertrain warranty, roadside assistance, and sometimes corrosion or rust-through coverage, depending on the manufacturer.
Why Verify Vehicle Safety Ratings before Buying a Used Car
Used car ads rarely mention crash safety. Here are some reasons to verify NHTSA ratings and safety features before buying a used car.
Protect your Family
Confirming NHTSA ratings shows exactly how well a car protects its occupants in a crash, giving your family real assurance of protection on the road.
Spot Missing Safety Tech
Older trims or base models may lack airbags or advanced driver-assist features found in higher trims, so checking airbag count by VIN helps avoid nasty surprises.
Peace of Mind
By checking a car’s safety features and NHTSA ratings by VIN, you fully know how the car will perform, helping you build confidence on the road.
Support Resale Value
Cars with reliable safety ratings hold their value better and attract more buyers when it's time to sell again.
Compare Vehicle Safety Ratings: NHTSA vs. IIHS Explained
Two agencies test crash safety in the US. Here's how NHTSA and IIHS differ, so you understand every rating on a vehicle's window sticker.
NHTSA Ratings
NHTSA is a federal agency that rates vehicles from one to five stars based on frontal, side, and rollover crash tests conducted at government labs nationwide.
IIHS Ratings
IIHS is an independent, insurance-funded group that awards Top Safety Pick ratings based on tougher crash tests, headlight quality, and crash prevention technology performance.
Top Safety Features Modern Vehicles Should Have as Standard
Modern cars come packed with safety tech designed to protect drivers and passengers.
Here are ten features worth checking for on any vehicle:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): stops wheels locking up during hard braking.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC): helps the driver keep control in corners.
Airbags: front, side, and curtain airbags cushion impact in crashes.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): brakes automatically to help avoid a crash.
Lane Departure Warning: alerts the driver if drifting out of lane.
Blind Spot Monitoring: warns of vehicles hidden in the driver's blind spot.
Backup Camera: shows what's behind the car while reversing.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): flags low tire pressure before it's dangerous.
Adaptive Cruise Control: adjusts speed automatically to keep safe distance.
LATCH Child Seat Anchors: secure fitting points for child car seats.
Vehicle Safety Checks to Do Before Buying a Vehicle
Before handing over any money, a few simple checks can confirm a used car is genuinely safe to drive.
Brakes: test for smooth, even stopping without pulling sideways.
Tires: check tread depth and look for uneven wear.
Lights: confirm all lights and turn signals work properly.
Seatbelts: check they lock, latch, and retract correctly.
Airbags: confirm no warning light shows on the dashboard.
Suspension: listen for knocks over bumps during a test drive.
Steering: check for play, pulling, or unusual noises.
Windshield: look for cracks or chips affecting visibility.
State inspection history: If available, review past pass and fail records, where required.
Recall status: check for any open NHTSA safety recalls.
Check any Vehicle for safety recalls by VIN
A window sticker can tell you about the NHTSA safety ratings and safety features installed but won't tell you about safety recalls. It only shows factory details from when the car was new, not issues found later. For open safety recalls, use the free NHTSA safety recall tool instead.
Want more than just recalls? Our recall check tool can alert you to any open recalls and also reveals hidden records like accidents, theft records, title issues, and service history before you buy. Get an upgraded recall check to see the full picture before you buy.
Why Choose Our Vehicle Safety Check by VIN Tool?
Thousands of buyers and sellers trust Instant VIN Reports for accurate vehicle safety ratings and features, and here’s why:
Accurate Data Source
We pull detailed vehicle information from official records, so every safety rating you see stays accurate.
Instant Upgrade
Upgrade in one click to access the full original window sticker with complete NHTSA safety ratings, safety features, and more.
24/7 Customer Support
Questions about your records? Our support team is available around the clock to help.
All Brands Supported
From compact cars to full-size trucks, we support every brand and model on the road.
Instantly Check any Vehicle’s NHTSA Safety Ratings & More
Safety features vary by trim and model year, even within the same car line. Before you buy, confirm the exact NHTSA ratings and safety equipment installed from the factory.
FAQs About Checking Vehicle Safety Ratings by VIN
How do I check vehicle safety ratings by VIN?
You can check vehicle safety ratings by VIN by entering the 17-digit VIN into our VIN lookup tool, then reviewing the window sticker for official NHTSA crash test scores.
What is the difference between NHTSA and IIHS ratings?
The difference between NHTSA and IIHS ratings is that NHTSA is a government agency using a five-star scale, while IIHS is insurance-funded and awards Top Safety Pick honors.
Can I check open safety recalls by VIN for free?
Yes, you can check open safety recalls by VIN for free through the NHTSA recall lookup tool, which shows any unfixed safety issues tied to a vehicle.
What does a 5-star NHTSA safety rating mean?
A government 5-star NHTSA safety rating means the vehicle performed best in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests, offering the highest level of occupant protection measured by the agency.
Where can I find my VIN to check safety ratings?
You can find your VIN to check safety ratings on the driver's side dashboard, the driver's door jamb sticker, your insurance card, or the vehicle title.
What safety features can I check by VIN?
You can check safety features by VIN, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, blind-spot monitoring, automatic braking, and lane-keep assist listed on the window sticker.
Will a window sticker show safety features?
Yes, a window sticker shows safety features, listing both standard safety equipment and optional advanced driver-assist technology installed on that specific vehicle.
How are IIHS Top Safety Pick awards determined?
IIHS Top Safety Pick awards are determined by strong performance in crash tests, headlight quality checks, and available front crash prevention technology on the vehicle.
What is the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating program?
The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating program is a federal crash test system that scores new vehicles on frontal, side, and rollover protection using real crash data.
How do I check vehicle recalls by license plate?
You can check vehicle recalls by license plate by entering the plate and state into our recall check by VIN tool, which provides the vehicle history report that reveals any open safety recalls.
What is a vehicle safety complaint and how do I find them?
A vehicle safety complaint is a report drivers file with NHTSA about a suspected defect, and you can find them through the NHTSA complaints database.
Which vehicles have the highest NHTSA safety ratings?
Vehicles with the highest NHTSA safety ratings, a 5-star overall score, typically include modern SUVs and sedans built with reinforced frames and standard advanced driver-assist safety technology.