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.
GAUGE FAILURE
HEATER CORE FAILURE
REAR SEAT BUCKLE UNLATCHES
STEERING WHEEL DETACHMENT
BATTERY EXPLOSION
IMPROPERLY STRETCHED CHASS
DASH REFLCTS IN WINDSHIELD
JACK FAILURE
STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION
ALTERNATOR RECTIFIER OVRHT
WHEEL FAILURE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR BRK
INADVERTENT ENGINE SHUTDWN
GOVERNOR PIN/ENG THROTTLE
AXLE HOUSING SEPARATION
WNDSHLD DFRSTER DUCT SEPAR
HIGH SPEED INSTABILITY
THROTTLE RELEASE FAILURE
FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP
SAFETY BELT CUT AT D-RING
REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION
SAFETY BELT CUT AT WEBBING
SPEED CONTROL FAILURE
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILS
PROPANE TANK SEPARATION
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
BRAKING PERFORMANCE LOSS
ABS CONTROL FAILURE
HARNESS STRAPS LOOSENING
FUEL EXPULSION
REAR HEATER FIRES
AUTO.SAFETY BELT SYSTEM DESIGN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
SPARE TIRE FIRES
THROTTLE STICKS, HIGH IDLE
BRAKE CAMSHAFT FAILURE
DISC BRAKE LINING SPLIT
THROTTLE STICKING
FALSE PUMP INDICATOR LIGHT
STEERING LOCKS UP
BRAKE FAILURE
VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILS
TRANSMISSION LOCKUP
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
HEAT HOSE RESTRICTOR/FIRES
ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATION
HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FAILURE
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
FRONT BRAKES FAIL
FUEL RESERVOIR LEAKS
WHEEL FAILURES
STEERING WHEEL NUT LOOSENS
STRUCTURAL FAILURE
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
TIRE RUBBING WHEEL WELL
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
POWER STEERING FAILURE
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
SPEED CONTROL FAILURE
REVISE FMVSS 208
AMPUTATION OF FINGER
FRAME RAIL COLLAPSE
STEERING GEAR LOCKUP
STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN
BRAKE PROBLEMS
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES
TIMING GEAR PINION FAIL
TRANSIT BUS FIRES
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
IMPROPER RESTRAINT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRES
TRUNK LID FAILURE
TIRE RIMS LOSE AIR
DEFECTIVE SEAT MOUNTS
ALTERNATOR RECTIFIER OVRHT
THROTTLE RELEASE FAILURE
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS BRK
LOSS OF WARNING LIGHTS
GAS TANK LEAKS
BRAKE GUARD ADVERSE AFFECT
POWER TRAIN LOCKUP
PASSENGER BRAKE
BRAKE FAILURE
SPRING HANGERS FRACTURE
BRAKE LINING DELAMINATION
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
HANDICAPPED DRIVER'S CTRL
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
MOTOR HOME DEFECTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE
REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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.