US recall guide
“Park outside” and “do not drive” recalls
Most recalls let you keep using the car until the repair. Two warnings change that: “park outside” and “do not drive”. Here is what each means, what to do today, and the newest campaigns that carry them.
Sample reports:2023 Ford F-1502022 Chevy Silverado2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee2021 BMW X32003 Honda Accord
The two advisories
| Advisory | Risk | What owners are told |
|---|---|---|
| Park outside | Fire, even when the vehicle is parked and switched off. | Park outdoors and away from structures and other vehicles until the free repair is done. Some battery campaigns add: do not charge. |
| Do not drive | A defect that can cause a crash or injury when the vehicle is used, such as an airbag inflator that can rupture or a failing steering or wheel part. | Do not drive the vehicle until it is repaired. Arrange towing or a mobile repair through the dealer or manufacturer. |
NHTSA’s recall file records both as “Consumer Advisory” fields on each campaign. Car Codebook shows them as park-it warnings on every model-year recall page.
What to do today
If your car has a park-outside recall
- Move it out of the garage, carport or parking structure, and away from the house and other cars. The risk exists with the engine off.
- Follow any charging instruction. For plug-in hybrids and EVs, some campaigns say not to charge until the remedy, because a charged battery is a higher fire risk.
- Book the repair at any franchised dealer of the brand. It is free under federal law (subject to the 15-year limit).
- Ask about timing. Some park-outside recalls start before the remedy is available. Keep parking outside until the dealer confirms the fix is done, even if that takes weeks.
If your car has a do-not-drive recall
- Stop driving it. Do not drive it to the dealer either unless the manufacturer’s letter says that is acceptable.
- Call the dealer and the manufacturer. Ask for towing, a mobile technician, and a loaner or rental. These are commonly offered for do-not-drive campaigns but are not federal requirements, so ask explicitly.
- Tell anyone else who drives the car, and remove the keys from shared use until it is fixed.
Not sure the campaign applies to your exact car? A model year can include vehicles built outside the affected date range. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the manufacturer’s lookup (each brand guide links it). The full booking process is in what to do if your car has an open recall.
Newest campaigns with either advisory
6 of 137 vehicle recall campaigns filed since Aug 28, 2026 (4 do not drive, 2 park outside). Updated daily from NHTSA.
| Filed · campaign | Vehicles | Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2026 26V685000 | Subaru Crosstrek 2026, Subaru Forester 2026 | Do not drive |
| Oct 16, 2026 26V682000 | Porsche 718 SPYDER RS 2024, Porsche 911 2024, Porsche Cayman 2024 | Do not drive |
| Oct 8, 2026 26V664000 | Genesis G80 2017–2020, Hyundai Genesis 2015–2016 | Park outside |
| Oct 6, 2026 26V656000 | Great Dane Champion 2027 | Do not drive |
| Oct 5, 2026 26V648000 | Kalmar OTTAWA T2 2014–2026 | Park outside |
| Oct 2, 2026 26V640000 | Rosenbauer Commander 2024–2025, Rosenbauer Warrior 2024 | Do not drive |
Source: NHTSA recall flat file, read once a day. “Filed” is the date NHTSA received the manufacturer’s defect report. Vehicles link to their model-year recall pages here.
Why these warnings exist
Every safety recall involves an unreasonable risk, but for most the risk is low enough day to day that owners can keep using the vehicle until the repair. When the manufacturer or NHTSA judges that is not true, the owner letter and the campaign record carry an explicit instruction. NHTSA also issues consumer alerts for high-profile cases, such as the June 2024 Kia Telluride park-outside recall for a power seat motor that could overheat.
These advisories are rare. On any given day, most new campaigns carry neither, which is why they are worth acting on immediately when you see one. Our model-year pages count park-it warnings in the header, and the latest recalls page flags them in the list.
Once the remedy is done, the advisory no longer applies to that vehicle. Keep the repair order: a buyer will want to see it (recalls and resale value).
FAQ
What does a “park outside” recall mean?
The vehicle can catch fire even when it is parked and switched off. Until the free repair is done, park it outdoors, away from your house, garage, carport and other vehicles. NHTSA’s consumer alerts use the wording “park outside and away from structures”.
What does a “do not drive” recall mean?
The defect is serious enough that the vehicle should not be driven at all until it is repaired. Contact a franchised dealer and the manufacturer about towing to the dealer or a mobile repair; the recall letter usually says what the manufacturer offers.
Can I still charge my plug-in hybrid or EV under a park-outside recall?
Follow the campaign’s own instructions. Some battery fire recalls tell owners not to charge: in the 2025 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid recall (25V-741), NHTSA said owners should park outside and not charge until the remedy is done.
Will the dealer give me a loaner for a do-not-drive recall?
Federal law does not require one, but manufacturers frequently provide towing, loaners or rentals for do-not-drive campaigns. Ask the dealer and call the manufacturer’s customer line on the letter.
How do I know if my car has one of these recalls?
List the recalls for your model year (our pages mark park-it warnings), then confirm the VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer. NHTSA’s VIN search shows safety recalls left unrepaired on that vehicle from the past 15 calendar years, using data supplied by the manufacturer.
Sources
- NHTSA recall flat file field guide (RCL.txt: “Do Not Drive” and “Park Outside” advisory fields)
- NHTSA consumer alert: Kia “park outside” recall for 2020–2024 Telluride (June 7, 2024)
- NHTSA consumer alert: Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee PHEV “park outside” recall, 25V-741 (Nov 4, 2025)
- NHTSA: Check for recalls (VIN search, owner notification, roles in the recall process)
- 49 U.S.C. 30120: Remedies for defects and noncompliance (free remedy, 15-year limit, 60-day repair rule, rental and new-vehicle sale limits)
Published 2026-10-21. Car Codebook is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email hello@carcodebook.com.
Related
- What to do if your car has an open recallBooking the free repair, what the dealer can charge, loaners, parts delays and the 60-day rule in federal law.
- How to check recalls by VINFour steps: find the VIN, list NHTSA campaigns for the model year, confirm open recalls on your car, schedule the free remedy.
- Are recalls free, and do they expire?The 15-year rule, the tire deadlines, second owners, out-of-warranty cars and what “free” actually covers.