NHTSA
Defect investigations
NHTSA opens defect investigations when complaint patterns suggest a possible safety risk. Browse all 4,173 investigations, including 93 currently open.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency Office of Defects Investigation has opened 4,161 formal defect investigations into U.S. vehicles as of June 2026. Each investigation can precede a recall; see our methodology for how these federal case files are tracked.
Timing Belt Failure
Ford Ecosport
Lower Lateral Link detachment
Inadvertent Deployment of Air Bags
Honda Odyssey
Carry Handle Separation
NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls
Rear Toe Link May Separate
Rivian R1S
Automated Driving System (ADS) conflict avoidance, driving behavior competence and assertiveness
Front Steering Knuckle Fractures
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Fuel smell and loss of motive power
Nissan Frontier
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
All wheel drive allegation
Acura Acura
Redundant wheel fastener locking mechanism
Loss of Power Steering Assist
RAM Promaster 1500
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Ford F-150
Waymo AV striking a child in the area of a school.
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Mazda Mazda
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.
Tesla Model 3
Timing Belt Failure
Ford Ecosport
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
Chrysler Chrysler
Rear Seat Belt Stitching Failure and Detachment
Land Rover Defender
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Honda Honda
Loss of Motive Power
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Honda Odyssey
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Loss of braking force
Honda Honda
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
Jeep Jeep
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Waymo AV drives around a stopped school bus
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
Tesla
Rivian EDV Seat Belt Anchor Detachment
Rivian EDV
Electronic door handles become inoperative
Tesla Model Y
Underbody shields detachment
Ford Explorer
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
Chrysler Chrysler
Engine failure
Honda Ridgeline
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Tesla
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Ford Ford
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
KIA KIA
Loss of rear-view camera image
Polestar Polestar 2
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
RAM 1500
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
Chrysler Chrysler
Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 22V887
Front Steering Knuckle Fractures
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Nissan Nissan
Windshield Wiper Failure
KIA KIA
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fuel Leak
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Honda Honda
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Ford F-150
Understanding NHTSA Investigations
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
Initial assessment of a potential safety defect, typically opened after receiving multiple consumer complaints about similar issues.
Engineering Analysis (EA)
In-depth technical evaluation that may include testing, data collection from manufacturers, and detailed defect analysis.
Recall Query (RQ)
Evaluation of the effectiveness of a previously issued recall remedy, often triggered when complaints persist after a recall.
Investigation Outcomes
Investigations may result in a voluntary recall by the manufacturer, a mandatory recall order, or closure if no defect is found.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.