Product recall
An action to remove or fix an unsafe or defective product, usually with a repair, replacement or refund. A recall is not the same as a class action settlement.
Also called: recall, safety recall, voluntary recall
An action to remove or fix an unsafe or defective product, usually with a repair, replacement or refund. A recall is not the same as a class action settlement.
What it means
A product recall is an action taken to remove an unsafe or defective product from the market or to fix it. A company can start one on its own, an agency can ask for one, and in some cases an agency can order one. The usual remedies are a repair, a replacement or a refund.
Different agencies handle different products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission covers most consumer products, and NHTSA covers vehicles and vehicle equipment. The FDA covers packaged foods, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service covers meat, poultry and egg products. For vehicles, federal law generally requires the maker to fix a safety defect at no charge.
The FDA sorts recalls into three classes. Class I means a reasonable chance of serious harm or death. Class II means temporary or reversible harm, or a remote chance of serious harm. Class III means harm is not likely. A recall is separate from a class action: a recall fixes the product, while a lawsuit seeks money for losses.
What it means for you
If something you own is recalled, stop using it and follow the notice for a repair, replacement or refund. You can look up recalls on the agency's site, and for vehicles you can search by VIN. A recall does not automatically repay losses you already had, such as a repair you paid for. Sometimes a recall is followed by a class action or settlement that does. Keep receipts, repair orders, and photos of the product and its lot code. Be careful with texts or emails about a recall that ask for payment or personal details. Go to the agency's website instead. See also the auto defect settlements guide.
Example
Say a hypothetical automaker recalls trucks because a software bug can stall the engine. Owners get a letter, and the dealer fixes the problem at no charge. One owner paid for a tow and a repair before the recall existed. The recall alone does not repay her. A later class action might settle and reimburse documented costs like hers, if she keeps the receipts and files a claim.
FAQ
No. A recall is a safety action that fixes or removes a product, often at the company's or an agency's direction. A class action is a lawsuit that seeks money for people who were harmed or overcharged. One can follow the other, but they are separate.
These are FDA classes. Class I is a reasonable chance of serious health harm or death. Class II is temporary or medically reversible harm, or a remote chance of serious harm. Class III is harm that is not likely.
Related terms
- FDA: Recalls Background and Definitions
- Recalls.gov: which agency handles which recalls
- Recalls.gov: food recalls (USDA FSIS and FDA)
- 49 U.S.C. 30120: remedy for vehicle defects at no charge (Cornell LII)
Updated Oct 18, 2026. Plain-English definitions for general information — not legal or tax advice.