MV-1 Recall Check by VIN: How to Look It Up

To check an MV-1 for recalls, run the VIN at NHTSA and then search both make names, MV-1 and Mobility Ventures, because the van's recalls are split between them. The MV-1 was a purpose-built wheelchair-accessible van, first from Vehicle Production Group (VPG) and later from Mobility Ventures, an AM General company. Neither builds it today, so a buyer has to do more of the checking.

What the MV-1 is

Unlike a converted minivan, the MV-1 was designed from the start for a wheelchair ramp and a lowered floor. It came with a Ford-sourced V8, and some were built to run on compressed natural gas. Many were used as taxis and paratransit vehicles, which means high miles and hard use are common. Decode the VIN with NHTSA vPIC to confirm the year and fuel type.

The NHTSA recalls

When I queried NHTSA on Nov. 5, 2026, these campaigns came back:

• 12V468000, under the make MV-1 from VPG, 2011-2012: a pressure relief plug on the CNG fuel tank. This matters only on CNG vans, but on those it matters a lot.
• 17V836000, under Mobility Ventures, 2011-2016: the driver seat height adjuster can release in a rear impact.
• 18V382000, Mobility Ventures, 2015-2016: the rear turn signal flash rate may not meet the standard.
• 23V461000, Mobility Ventures, 2015-2016: an electronic stability control warning light issue.

Search both make names. A VIN lookup should show open items, but with the builders gone, it is safer to read each campaign and ask for invoices.

How to run the check

• Read the 17-character VIN off the dash plate and the door jamb label, and make sure they match the title.
• Enter it at the NHTSA recall lookup. It shows unrepaired recalls the manufacturer reported for that VIN.
• Decode it with NHTSA vPIC to confirm the make, model and year.
• If the VIN tool comes back empty, search NHTSA by year, make and model and read each campaign yourself.

Our NHTSA recall check by VIN guide walks through the screens. For defunct brands the VIN tool can be less reliable, because a company that no longer exists may not be updating repair status. That is the reason to read the campaigns by model too.

Why a history report still matters

A recall lookup tells you about factory defects. It does not tell you about a salvage title, flood damage, odometer problems or a long string of owners. Small-volume vehicles like this get rebuilt and resold more than you would expect. Our guide on NHTSA recall vs CARFAX covers how the two sources differ, and open recall on CARFAX explains how a report shows recall status. Then check title brands through NMVTIS and pay for a pre-purchase inspection.

Save a screenshot of the NHTSA result with the date on it, and keep any recall invoices with the title. If you sell the vehicle later, that record answers the first question a careful buyer will ask. It also helps if a recall is reopened or a new campaign is filed against the same part, which does happen with air bags and fuel systems.

Fleet history and pricing

Many MV-1s came out of taxi and paratransit fleets. A fleet van can be well serviced, but it can also have hundreds of thousands of hard miles. Ask for the fleet maintenance log, compare it with the odometer, and check the report for auction sales. Price the van on its ramp condition and records, since a working ramp is the whole point of the vehicle.

Other checks on a used MV-1

Deploy and stow the ramp several times, test the kneeling or ramp interlocks, and check the wheelchair tie-downs. On CNG vans, ask for the tank inspection label and the tank expiration date, because CNG tanks have a service life. Fleet vans often show huge mileage and long idle hours, so look at service records and the condition of the brakes and suspension. A history report helps here too, since fleet use, auction sales and title brands all show up.

If you are buying for a family member, ask a mobility dealer to look over the ramp and securement. Parts for the van body can take time to source.

What the report costs

As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.

Sources

• NHTSA recallsByVehicle, MV-1 and Mobility Ventures, queried Nov. 5, 2026; NHTSA recalls
• NHTSA vPIC
• NMVTIS
• DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center