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.
AIR BAG INFLATOR
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE
TRAILER AXLE CRACKING
EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION LABEL
WIPER ARM
FRONT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
TILT-CAB RETENTION LATCH
DRIVER'S CAB DOOR TO DOOR FRAME CLEARANC
AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
U-BOLT FAILURES ON DRIVE -AXLE ASSEMBLIE
TIRE PRESURE CONTROL SYSTEM HOSE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
BRAKE SHOE SLACK ADJUSTER
REAR COT ATTACHMENT
SAFETY DEFECT
ALL WHEEL STEERING MALFUNCTION
PASSENGER AIR BAG-RELATED EYE INJURIES
BRAKE ANCHOE PLATE
JIFFY STAND LEG
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE
DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION
FIRE BY THE REAR AUXILIARY HEAT
DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATION
SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
FORD SUPER DUTY
FRONT SHOULDER BELT WEBBING GUIDE
ABS
SEAT BELT WEBBING
FORD EXPLORER
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
GASOLINE VAPOR INTRUSION
VEHICLE EXPLOSION
REAR FRAME CRACKS
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
DOOR HINGE
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
PULLS UNDER HARD BRAKING
PARKING BRAKE
FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY
PARKING BRAKE RESULTING IN ROLLAWAY
DRIVER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
REAR WHEEL DRIVE HUB FRACTURE
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
ENGINE STALLING
BRAKE LOSS
4 REINFORCEMENT CORNERS ON TAG AXLE
TIRE
STEERING SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE
IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR
AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
SEAT BELT WEBBING
FORD EXPLORER
AD-DP/AD-IS AIR DRYER CARTRIDGES
POOR HANDLING
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FRAME MOUNTING
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
REAR DRIVE AXLE/SUSPENSION U-BOLT
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
FRONT SEAT BELT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
UNEXPECTED CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL
HEADLIGHT
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
CONTINENTAL 16 INCH CONTI TRAC AS TIRES
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINK
FUEL TANK CRACKING
WHEEL STUD AND NUT
FORD EXPEDITION
PARKING BRAKE
CROSS-MEMBER WELDS CRACK
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
STOP LAMP SWITCH
OVERHEATING OF FRONT SEAT HEATERS
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
ALL
TURN SIGNAL
SEAT BACK RECLINER FAILURE
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
DIFFICULT CHILD SAFETY SEATS BUCKLE OPEN
FLEX FAN BREAKAGE
LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
UPEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
PROPANE VEHICLE CONVERSION
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMEN
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START
REAR SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMENT
TURN SIGHAL
OMITTED QUICK RELEASE VALVE (PARK BRAKE)
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST; STEERING & BRAKING
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.