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Decode any 17-character VIN to get full vehicle specs, origin, engine, and more.
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Check official government recall data for any vehicle. Know what's been flagged.
Owner Complaints
Read real complaint data from owners submitted to the NHTSA database.
Repair Guides
Step-by-step guides for the most common repairs and maintenance tasks.
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VIN Decoder
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Repair Guides
Step-by-step guides for common repairs and maintenance
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Search any diagnostic trouble code — engine, transmission, ABS, body, and network codes
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GarageIQ is built by one person, for every car owner in America.
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- ✅ GarageIQ will always be 100% free — no paywalls, no subscriptions
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Community Questions?
For vehicle-specific questions, repair help, and peer advice — the GarageIQ Forum is the best place to get fast answers from experienced mechanics and fellow owners.
Joseph Michael
Automotive Technician since 2017
A little about me
Hey, I'm Joseph. I'm 26 and I've been in the automotive field since 2017. I work as a technician so I spend most of my days diagnosing vehicles, doing repairs, and dealing with all the fun stuff that comes with working on cars for a living.
GarageIQ started as just a hobby project. I wanted something that actually gave you real information without making you pay for it or jump through hoops to get it. Most of the sites out there either cost money or give you the most generic advice possible. I wanted something that felt like asking a tech you actually trust.
The torque specs, socket sizes, and repair steps on here come from real experience. I've been that guy at 10pm trying to remember if a drain plug is 14mm or 15mm so I tried to build something I'd actually want to use myself.
Why I built this
Honestly I just got tired of seeing people get charged for information that should be free. Torque specs, recall history, what socket you need to change your brakes. None of that should cost anything to find out.
All the vehicle data pulls straight from NHTSA and the EPA so it's official government information, not something I made up. The repair guides are written the way I'd explain it to someone standing next to me in the shop.
If this helps you save some money on a repair or helps you walk into a shop knowing what you're talking about, that's all I was going for. Hope it helps.
Say Hello
Have a question, found a bug, or want to suggest a feature? I read every message.
Contact me →Join the Community
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GarageIQ is free and will stay that way. If it's helped you, consider buying me a coffee.
Support GarageIQ →Joseph Michael
JosephMichaelBusiness@gmail.comPrivacy Policy
Last updated: May 2025
1. Who We Are
GarageIQ ("we", "us") is a free automotive information resource operated by Joseph Michael. Contact: JosephMichaelBusiness@gmail.com
2. What Data We Collect
We collect almost nothing. GarageIQ is designed to be privacy-first:
- Account data (optional): If you create an account, your username, email address, and a hashed version of your password are stored in your browser's localStorage. This data never leaves your device or gets sent to our servers.
- Forum posts: Posts and replies you write are stored in your browser's localStorage. They are not stored on any server.
- Vehicle searches: We do not log or store your vehicle searches, VIN lookups, or OBD code queries.
- No cookies: We do not use tracking cookies, advertising cookies, or analytics cookies.
- No third-party analytics: We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any other tracking service.
3. Third-Party APIs
Vehicle data is fetched from official government databases:
- NHTSA (nhtsa.gov): Recall data, complaints, VIN decoding. No personal data is sent.
- EPA (fueleconomy.gov): Engine specifications and fuel economy data. No personal data is sent.
- Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons: Reference images for guides and vehicles. No personal data is sent.
- Google Fonts: Typography. Google may log your IP address per their privacy policy.
4. localStorage
All user data (account, forum posts, preferences) is stored in your browser's localStorage — on your device only. Clearing your browser data will delete your GarageIQ account. We cannot recover it. This also means your data is not synced across devices.
5. Children's Privacy
GarageIQ is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
6. Your Rights
Since all data is in your browser, you control it completely. To delete your account and all data, clear your browser's localStorage for this site. To contact us about privacy: JosephMichaelBusiness@gmail.com
7. Changes
We may update this policy. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be noted on this page.
Terms of Use
Last updated: May 2025
1. Acceptance
By using GarageIQ, you agree to these terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the site.
2. Informational Use Only
GarageIQ is an informational resource, not professional mechanical advice. Vehicle repair involves risks including personal injury, property damage, and voiding warranties. Always consult a certified mechanic (ASE, manufacturer-certified) for safety-critical repairs including — but not limited to — brakes, steering, suspension, fuel systems, and airbags. We are not responsible for any outcome resulting from actions taken based on information found on GarageIQ.
3. Data Accuracy
Vehicle data is sourced from NHTSA and EPA government databases. We make no warranty that data is accurate, complete, or up to date for your specific vehicle. Always verify torque specs, fluid types, and procedures against your vehicle's official service manual before performing work.
4. User Accounts & Community
You are responsible for content you post in the forum. Do not post: spam, illegal content, personal attacks, misinformation, or content that endangers safety. We reserve the right to remove any content and ban accounts that violate these standards.
5. Intellectual Property
GarageIQ's original code, design, and guide content are © 2025 Joseph Michael. Government data (NHTSA, EPA) is public domain. Wikipedia images are licensed under Creative Commons — see individual image pages for specific licenses.
6. Limitation of Liability
GarageIQ is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. In no event shall GarageIQ or its operators be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the service or reliance on its content.
7. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the United States. Disputes shall be resolved in the applicable courts.