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.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
SATURN SATURN
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
ENGINE STALLING
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
LOSS OF ADAPTIVE STEERING CONTROL
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
TRANSMISSION LOCKUP
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
SUZUKI SUZUKI
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
FORD FORD
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
FRONTAL DRIVER AIR BAG
HONDA HONDA
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE
KIA KIA
REAR SUSPENSION TOE CONTROL LINK
SATURN SATURN
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
AUDI AUDI
ENGINE STALLING
FORD ESCAPE
STEERING BINDING
VOLVO VOLVO TRUCK
LUGGAGE STRUT ARM SHORTS CIRCUITS
DRIVER SEAT PEDESTAL FAILURES
SERVICE BRAKE SUPPLY TANK SEPARATION
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURES
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
VOLVO VOLVO
CRANKSHAFT FAILURES
DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE
FORD WINDSTAR
AMBULANCE TIRE TREAD SEPARATIONS
TIRE TREAD SEPARATIONS
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
FORD FORD
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
OVERHEATED FUEL PUMP WIRING
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
POST-CRASH FUEL TANK LEAK
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
FALSE PARK
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGE
TOYOTA TOYOTA
HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFFING
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
WHEEL SEPARATION
GLASS ROOF SHATTERING
NISSAN MAXIMA
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILURE
ENGINE STALLING
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE
KIA KIA
ENGINE STALL
SAAB SAAB
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
INCORRECT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
FUEL LEAKAGE
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
POWER-SLIDING DOOR OPENING
NISSAN NISSAN
TURBOCHARGER FAILURE RESULTS IN FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT SEPARATION FROM THE BASE IN A CRASH
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
AUDI AUDI
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
TOYOTA TOYOTA
REMEDY FAILURES OF RECALL 98V-184
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
FAILING HEADLIGHTS
NISSAN NISSAN
DRIVER SEAT PEDESTALS
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
FORD FORD
OIL FILTER FIRES
HONDA HONDA
TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
POWER STEERING STUD FAILURE
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
OVERHEATING OF SEAT HEATERS
WHEEL SEPARATION
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
STEERING BINDING
RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT FAILURE
FUEL RAIL LEAKS
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
REFUELING SPIT BACK
DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT
BMW 3-SERIES
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURES
FRAME CRACKING
DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
ALLEGED BRAKE DRAG
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
FORD E-450
REAR AXLE FRACTURE
LINCOLN LINCOLN
FRAME CRACKS AND FRACTURES
SUDDEN REAR SUSPENSION MISALIGNMENT
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
TRAILER BODY CAN CONTACT TIRES
BRAKES FAIL TO RELEASE, BUS JACK-KNIFES"
HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
SUBARU SUBARU
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELING
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
ENGINE STALL
SAAB SAAB
AMBULANCE ALTERNATOR FAILURES
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
MERCEDES-BENZ
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
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.