NHTSA
Defect investigations
NHTSA opens defect investigations when complaint patterns suggest a possible safety risk. Browse all 4,161 investigations, including 98 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.
WHEEL FAILURE
SAF HOLLAND FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
VOLVO VOLVO
INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW BMW
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
MINI COOPER
FRONT DIFF. / PROPELLER SHAFT FAILURE
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER
400 AMP PRIMARY FUSE CORROSION
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
UNWANTED ACCELERATION, FLOOR MAT
TOYOTA TOYOTA
DIESEL FUEL LEAK
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM FAILURE
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
SUZUKI FORENZA
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
LAND ROVER FREELANDER
CHOKING ON CHILD SEAT STYROFOAM
FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL
CADILLAC CADILLAC
TRAILER WHEEL SEPARATION
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
DASH/INTERIOR FIRE
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS
WORKHORSE CHASSIS
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
BMW BMW
SIDE ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL FIRES
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
HONDA HONDA
ENGINE STALLING & ELECTRIC POWER LOSS
DODGE DODGE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
NISSAN ALTIMA
TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE STALLING
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
PONTIAC PONTIAC
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
BMW BMW
SEAT TRACK CORROSION
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL/DRIVESHAFT FAILURE
FORD FORD
WHEEL SEPARATION DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE
NISSAN NISSAN
WATER/ICE IN BRAKE BOOSTER
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
HARNESS ADJUSTER
ACCESSORY FLOOR MAT
FUEL TANK LEAK
GMC ENVOY XUV
FAILURE OF ENGINE/TRANSMISSION MOUNT
MAZDA MAZDASPEED3
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
INADVERTENT DOOR CLOSING
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
WINDSHIED WIPER LINKAGE FAILURE
FRONT STRUT TO TIRE INTERFERENCE
REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS SEPARATION
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
DODGE DURANGO
ENGINE STALL
JEEP COMMANDER
RESTRICTED BRAKE PEDAL MOVEMENT
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
FUEL TANK LEAKS
DECELERATION ("TIP-OUT") STALLING
MOTORCYCLE TRAILER FENDER SEPARATION
FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION
KIA KIA
FINGER ENTRAPMENT
LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION
TIRE FAILURE
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
CARGO DOOR EXTENDING DURING TRAVEL
ENGINE STALLING FFV
FORD TAURUS
UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE
TOYOTA TOYOTA
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
SEAT BELTS WEBBING ABRADING ON FRAME
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
INTERIOR FIRE, PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
INOPERABLE TAIL LIGHTS
VOLVO VOLVO
FUEL PUMP LEAKAGE
VOLVO VOLVO
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
STEERING BOX MOUNTING BRACKET CRACK
WHEELCHAIR LIFT MICRO-SWITCH DISABLED
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
WHEEL FAILURE
NISSAN NISSAN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
MAZDA TRIBUTE
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER CORROSION
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
TOW HITCH/FRAME FAILURE
INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE
REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS SEPARATION
FUEL TANK LEAKS
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
MOTORCYCLE SIDESTAND ROLL-OFF
CARRY HANDLE
FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION
KIA KIA
BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER HOSE COLLAPSES
MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI
ENGINE SURGING
TOYOTA TOYOTA
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
AXLE SPINDLE WELD FRACTURE
AXLE SPINDLE WELD
AXLE SPINDLE WELD FRACTURE
AXLE SPINDLE WELD FRACTURE
AXLE - SPINDLE WELD
FAILED TAG AXLE SWING ARMS
MISSING ELECT. PANEL MOUNTING HARDWARE
HEADREST/HARNESS ADJUSTMENT BAR FAILS
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.