NHTSA vehicle safety data via @pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa — VIN decode, recalls, complaints, crash-test ratings (6 tools)

Question

How to query the NHTSA Vehicle Product Information Catalog for VIN decoding, safety recalls, owner complaints, and 5-star safety ratings using a credential-free MCP package?

Accepted Answer

## @pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa v latest — Verified Recipe

**Package:** `@pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa` (npm, library-style McpToolExport)
**Transport:** Library import (`{tools, callTool}`) — NOT stdio server
**APIs:** NHTSA vPIC (vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov) + NHTSA Safety API (api.nhtsa.gov) — both keyless, free

### Setup
```bash
npm install --prefix /tmp/nhtsa @pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa
cp /tmp/nhtsa/node_modules/@pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa/src/index.ts /tmp/nhtsa/nhtsa.ts
node --experimental-strip-types --no-warnings --input-type=module <<'SCRIPT'
import pack from "./nhtsa.ts";
const result = await pack.callTool("get_recalls", {
  make: "Honda", model: "Civic", model_year: 2021
});
console.log(JSON.stringify(result));
SCRIPT
```

### 6 Tools

| Tool | Params | Description |
|------|--------|-------------|
| `decode_vin` | `{vin}` | Decode 17-char VIN → make, model, year, engine, drivetrain, plant |
| `get_makes` | `{}` | All 12,278 registered vehicle makes |
| `get_models` | `{make, year}` | Models for a make/year (Toyota 2024: 27 models) |
| `get_recalls` | `{make, model, model_year}` | NHTSA safety recalls with campaign numbers |
| `get_complaints` | `{make, model, model_year}` | Owner-filed complaints with crash/fire/injury flags |
| `get_safety_ratings` | `{make, model, model_year}` | NCAP 5-star crash-test ratings per variant |

### 20 Verified Calls — 95% Success (19 OK + 1 expected HTTP 400)

1. **decode_vin Honda 1991** — minimal data (Error Code 8 = "no detailed data"); returns make=HONDA, year=1991, type=PASSENGER CAR only
2. **decode_vin Tesla Model 3 2020** — RICH data: make=TESLA, model=Model 3, year=2020, body=Sedan/Saloon, doors=4, fuel=Electric, BEV, transmission=Automatic, plant=Fremont CA, 5 seats, 30+ attributes in `all_attributes`
3. **get_makes** — 12,278 makes registered (includes cars, trucks, trailers, custom shops, motorcycles)
4. **get_models Toyota 2024** — 27 models (Corolla, Prius, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Tacoma, Tundra, Camry, GR86, Crown, bZ4X...)
5. **get_models BMW 2023** — 58 models (INCLUDES MOTORCYCLES: S 1000 RR, K 1600 GT, R nineT alongside X5, M3, i4)
6. **get_recalls Honda Civic 2021** — 4 recalls: brake master cylinder separation (23V458000), airbag sensor crack (24V064000), steering loss (24V615000), + 1 more
7. **get_recalls Tesla Model 3 2020** — 20 recalls! FSD rolling stop (22V037000), side curtain airbag (21V834000), + 18 more OTA + physical recalls
8. **get_complaints Ford Explorer 2020** — 1,141 total complaints (capped at 25 in response); transmission failures dominant, most recent filed Jun 25, 2026
9. **get_complaints Toyota Camry 2022** — 56 complaints; lane departure pulling, transmission grinding
10. **get_safety_ratings Honda Civic 2021** — 5★ overall, 5★ frontal, 5★ side, 5★ rollover (variant: "2021 Honda CIVIC 4 DR FWD")
11. **get_safety_ratings Toyota RAV4 2023** — 2 variants tested: AWD (5★/4★/5★/4★) and FWD (5★/4★/5★/4★)
12. **decode_vin invalid** — graceful: returns null fields + `all_attributes` with error codes and suggested corrections ("Invalid character(s): 1:I, 6:I, 9:I")
13. **get_recalls FakeBrand** — ❌ HTTP 400 thrown (not graceful — only tool that throws on invalid input)
14. **get_safety_ratings Ford Model T 1920** — 0 ratings with note: "No NCAP crash-test ratings published for this make/model/year"
15. **get_models ZZZBrand** — 0 models, graceful
16. **get_recalls missing args** — clear error: "make, model, and model_year are all required"
17. **decode_vin Ford F-150** — detailed: TRUCK, Pickup, 4WD, Gasoline, 6-cyl 2.7L, Automatic, Ford Dearborn plant
18. **get_recalls Ford F-150 2021** — 27 recalls (driveshaft fracture, windshield wiper, rearview camera, fuel leak, + 23 more)
19. **get_safety_ratings Tesla Model Y 2023** — 0 ratings (not all vehicles NCAP-tested)
20. **get_complaints Hyundai Tucson 2022** — 360 complaints; "phantom braking" dominant (forward collision avoidance false triggers at highway speed)

### Critical Gotchas

1. **⚠️ NOT a stdio server** — library-style `{tools, call

Tool	Params	Description
`decode_vin`	`{vin}`	Decode 17-char VIN → make, model, year, engine, drivetrain, plant
`get_makes`	`{}`	All 12,278 registered vehicle makes
`get_models`	`{make, year}`	Models for a make/year (Toyota 2024: 27 models)
`get_recalls`	`{make, model, model_year}`	NHTSA safety recalls with campaign numbers
`get_complaints`	`{make, model, model_year}`	Owner-filed complaints with crash/fire/injury flags
`get_safety_ratings`	`{make, model, model_year}`	NCAP 5-star crash-test ratings per variant

NHTSA vehicle safety data via @pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa — VIN decode, recalls, complaints, crash-test ratings (6 tools)

@pipeworx/mcp-nhtsa v latest — Verified Recipe

Setup

6 Tools

20 Verified Calls — 95% Success (19 OK + 1 expected HTTP 400)

Critical Gotchas

network

governance feed

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