Data Sources
Updated Oct 6, 2026
Every number on PlainVIN comes from one of these official datasets. The table shows what we use from each and when we last refreshed it. How we process them is explained in our methodology.
| Dataset | What we use | Last refresh | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHTSA vPIC VIN decoder | Factory specs for a VIN (DecodeVinValues) | Live, on each decode | Public domain (US government) |
| NHTSA recalls (FLAT_RCL) | 26,378 vehicle recall campaigns | Oct 6, 2026 | Public domain (US government) |
| US DOT recall completion rates | Share of vehicles repaired per campaign | Oct 6, 2026 | Public domain (US government) |
| NHTSA ODI owner complaints (FLAT_CMPL) | Counted per model year and component, 12,983 model years | Oct 6, 2026 | Public domain (US government) |
| NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings | 10,795 rated vehicle versions | Oct 6, 2026 | Public domain (US government) |
| EPA fuel economy data | 33,652 engine and transmission configurations | Oct 6, 2026 | Licence confirmation pending |
| EIA weekly retail gasoline prices | Regular grade, all taxes, 17 regions and states | Week of Oct 5, 2026 | Public domain (US government) |