Blog

Guides for the VIN and the loan

Written to cite the IRS, never to say a loan is deductible. RSS at /blog/rss.xml.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-22

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2024–2027 Toyota Land Cruiser: fuel tube can disconnect and leak fuel, raising fire risk

  NHTSA campaign 26V673000: Toyota is recalling 105,794 model-year 2024–2027 Land Cruiser hybrids because a fuel tube connection near the tank may disconnect and leak fuel, increasing fire risk. Free dealer fix. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: HIGHRecall alert· 2026-10-16

  [HIGH] RECALL ALERT: 2025–2027 Ford F-150: front seats may not be properly bolted to the truck

  NHTSA campaign 26V655000: Ford is recalling 2,276 model-year 2025–2027 F-150 pickups because front seat-to-body bolts may be loose or missing, which can reduce occupant protection in a crash. Free dealer inspection. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-15

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis / 2017–2020 Genesis G80: power seat motors may overheat and cause a fire

  NHTSA campaign 26V664000: Hyundai is recalling 94,622 model-year 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis and 2017–2020 Genesis G80 vehicles because a stuck front power seat switch can overheat the seat motors and cause a fire while parked or driving. Park outside until repaired. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: HIGHRecall alert· 2026-10-14

  [HIGH] RECALL ALERT: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid: motor generator ECU error can cut drive power at higher speeds

  NHTSA campaign 26V659000: Toyota is recalling 30,978 model-year 2026 RAV4 Plug-In Hybrids because a motor generator ECU error can reduce power or shut down the plug-in-hybrid system at higher speeds. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: HIGHRecall alert· 2026-10-13

  [HIGH] RECALL ALERT: 2019–2024 Jaguar and Land Rover MHEVs: DC-DC converter failure can cut drive power and lights

  NHTSA campaign 26V599000: Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 23,677 mild-hybrid Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles because a DC-DC converter failure can cut 12-volt charging, drive power and exterior lighting. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-12

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2022–2026 Ram ProMaster: Water in the power steering wiring can cut steering assist

  NHTSA campaign 26V621000: FCA US is recalling 265,512 Ram ProMaster 1500, 2500 and 3500 vans (2022–2026) and ProMaster 3500 EVs (2024–2026) because water can corrode the electric power steering wiring and cut steering assist. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-11

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2022–2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid

  NHTSA campaign 26V638000: Mercedes-Benz USA is recalling 30,064 model-year 2022–2025 S-Class vehicles (S 500, S 580, S 580 e, AMG S 63 E Performance, Maybach S 580/S 680) because the front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-09

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2023–2026 Volkswagen ID.4: High-voltage battery may catch fire

  NHTSA campaign 26V630000: Volkswagen is recalling 22,524 model-year 2023–2026 ID.4 vehicles because the high-voltage battery may fail and lead to a vehicle fire. Owners are advised to charge to no more than 80%. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-07

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus RX / TX: Front steering knuckle may crack

  NHTSA campaign 26V598000: Toyota is recalling 617 model-year 2026 Grand Highlander and Lexus RX and TX vehicles because front steering knuckles may crack and break, causing loss of steering control. Check your VIN free.

• 2026-10-05

  Corvette LS6 6.7L V8: The Sixth-Generation Small Block, From Flint to Bowling Green

  The 2027 Corvette Stingray's LS6 6.7L V8 is GM's sixth-generation Small Block: 535 hp, 520 lb-ft, 13.0:1, built in Flint. Sourced specs, rivals, EPA mpg.

• Guide

  How to Shop for Car Insurance: Coverages, Quotes, and a Checklist That Travels

  Practical guide to shopping car insurance: liability, collision, comprehensive, UM/UIM, PIP/MedPay, gap, apples-to-apples quotes, discounts, switching, VIN checks. Not advice.

• Severity: HIGHRecall alert· 2026-10-05

  [HIGH] RECALL ALERT: 2025–2027 Ford Expedition and 2026 Ford Super Duty: Headlights and running lights may fail

  NHTSA campaign 26V606000: Ford is recalling 41,748 2025–2027 Expedition SUVs and 2026 F-250 to F-550 Super Duty trucks because contaminated LED chips can make headlights or running lights fail. Check your VIN free.

• Severity: CRITICALRecall alert· 2026-10-05

  [CRITICAL] RECALL ALERT: 2016–2017 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra: Roof-rail airbag inflator may rupture

  NHTSA campaign 26V611000: GM is recalling 1,559 2016–2017 Silverado and Sierra Crew Cab trucks after roof-rail airbag inflators may detach or rupture and project fragments into the cabin. Check your VIN free.

• 2026-10-05

  29 Records on Pump Gas: The Supercharged Studebaker Avanti That Took Bonneville

  Studebaker took its supercharged Avanti to Bonneville in 1962 and 1963. The 168 and 170.8 mph records, the R2 and R3 V8s, and the sales pitch behind them.

• 2026-10-05

  Buying a Used Ford F-150 Lightning: What to Check Before You Pay

  A used-buyer guide to the 2022-2026 Ford F-150 Lightning: battery and trim picks, NHTSA recalls, charging checks, warranty left, towing range, and the VIN.

• 2026-10-05

  Plow, Belt, and Payload: The Working Life of the Willys CJ-2A and Its Go-Devil Four

  Willys sold the 1945-49 CJ-2A Universal Jeep as truck, tractor, and mobile power unit. How its 60 hp Go-Devil flathead four plowed, towed, and ran belts.

• 2026-10-04

  The Duramax 8.3 is real. It is not the Cummins 8.3.

  GM’s 2027 Duramax 8.3L Turbo-Diesel V8 is a Brookville, Ohio V8 rated 555 hp and 1,230 lb-ft. It is not the Cummins ISC 8.3. Unpublished bore, stroke, weight, and compression stay unpublished. Check VIN plant country. Not tax advice.

• 2026-10-04

  The New REO Runabout Mini Truck: Specs, Price Targets, and Timeline

  The new REO mini truck is the planned Runabout T4X: Texas-built, gas, and not for sale yet. Target price, sourced specs, timeline, and unpublished figures.

• 2026-09-28

  How to use AssemblyAlert’s car-loan calculators for the OBBBA interest deduction

  Walk through AssemblyAlert’s payment, $10,000 interest-cap, lease-vs-buy, and affordability calculators for the 2025–2028 OBBBA vehicle loan interest rules. Illustrations only — not tax advice.

• 2026-09-25

  Where do you put the VIN on your tax return for the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  The IRS says include the vehicle identification number on the return for any year the qualified vehicle loan interest deduction is claimed. A VIN on the return is a reporting requirement, not proof you qualify. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-24

  When do you get Form 1098-VLI for the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  Lenders typically furnish Form 1098-VLI early the next calendar year, often around January and by common information-return deadlines. Tax years 2025–2028. AssemblyAlert is not that form. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-23

  Made in USA sticker myths vs VIN plant country for the OBBBA deduction

  Dealer Made in USA hang-tags and a VIN that starts with 1, 4, or 5 are not the IRS final-assembly record. AssemblyAlert reads NHTSA PlantCountry === UNITED STATES (USA). Puerto Rico fails. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-21

  Is there an MSRP cap on the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  No. IRS Working Families Tax Cuts and Topic 505 cap qualified interest at $10,000 and phase out MAGI. They do not list a purchase-price or MSRP ceiling. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-18

  Do used cars qualify for the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  No. The IRS Working Families Tax Cuts pages state that used vehicles do not qualify. Original use must start with the taxpayer. VIN plant-country is a separate check. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-14

  Tax season prep: documents for the OBBBA car loan interest deduction

  What to keep for tax years 2025–2028: 1098-VLI, loan docs, VIN on the return, US final assembly record. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-12

  Buying a new car at the dealership? Car-lot tips before you sign

  Why car lots feel like a jungle — window sticker vs plant country, VIN check, new vs used, leases, GVWR, and the 2025–2028 OBBBA interest deduction. Watch Assembly Alert. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-12

  The circus is in town — VIN check before the Made in Korea gag

  Assembly Alert’s “The circus is in town” bit is 18+ comedy. The useful part: free VIN check for US assembly before a Made in Korea hang-tag or OBBBA interest story. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-12

  Don’t get caught with your pants down — VIN check before the tax-break story

  Assembly Alert’s “intimacy in the bedroom” bit is 18+ comedy bait. The real heads-up: free VIN check for US assembly before you buy or talk OBBBA car-loan interest. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-11

  Does GVWR matter for the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  IRS lists a GVWR under 14,000 pounds for applicable passenger vehicles under the 2025–2028 car-loan interest deduction. How to check. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-10

  Does refinancing affect the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  IRS-cited notes on refinancing a qualifying vehicle loan for the 2025–2028 car-loan interest deduction. Cap, VIN, US assembly, leases/used still fail. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-09

  Car loan interest deduction checklist (2025–2028)

  Printable-style checklist of IRS-stated OBBBA car-loan interest gates: new vehicle, US assembly, no leases, MAGI, $10k cap, VIN on the return. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-09

  Do auto leases qualify for the OBBBA car loan interest deduction?

  No. The IRS Working Families Tax Cuts pages state that lease payments do not qualify for the 2025–2028 car-loan interest deduction. Compare lease vs buy, then check US assembly.

• 2026-09-09

  How much is the car loan interest deduction worth?

  Illustrative tax-bracket examples of the $10,000 OBBBA interest cap. Not advice. Plant-country, lease, new-vehicle, and MAGI gates are separate.

• 2026-09-09

  OBBBA car loan interest MAGI phaseout examples (2025–2028)

  Illustrative MAGI phaseout math for the OBBBA car-loan interest deduction: $100k/$200k thresholds, $200 per $1,000, full phaseout at $150k/$250k. Not tax advice.

• 2026-09-09

  Was my car assembled in the US? How PlantCountry works

  VIN position 1 is not the verdict. AssemblyAlert reads NHTSA PlantCountry. Only UNITED STATES (USA) passes. Puerto Rico fails. Link to the free VIN checker.

• 2026-09-09

  What is Form 1098-VLI?

  Form 1098-VLI is a lender information statement for qualified vehicle loan interest. AssemblyAlert is a dated plant-country record, not that IRS form.