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.
Zipcar Rental Concerns
Air bags may be disabled during crash
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
Low Pressure Fuel Supply Hose Leak
MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS
Seat Belt Webbing Failure
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
Goodyear G159 275/70R22.5 Tire Failure
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
FORD EXPEDITION
Stall/Loss of Motive Power
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Tailpipe seperation resulting in fire
Power Steering Failure
FORD FUSION
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN
Steering Wheel Fastening Bolt Loosens
LINCOLN LINCOLN
Seat belt latch failure
Exhaust Bellows Pipe Fracture Recall
RQ17 - 008 Closing
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
Seatbelt Retractor Failure
Failed School Bus Seat Back Pans
Recall administration
Engine Compartment Fire
MERCEDES-BENZ
Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sale Issue
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Step rivets may shear
Door Latch Open While Driving
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
FORD FORD
Close Equipment Query
Fuel Filter Flange May Crack
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
Lazydays RV Retail Delivery Issue
Occupant Restraint Controller Failure
JEEP LIBERTY
Scope and Timeliness
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
Scope and Timeliness
KIA KIA
Extended Braking Distances
NISSAN NISSAN
Loss of Headlights
OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE
Steering Arm Capscrew Failures
Windshield Wiper Motor Failure
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
Engine stall after refueling
BiCal Chevrolet/Loss of Power Steering
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Motorcycle Stalling
SUZUKI SUZUKI
Michelin XZU-3 305/85/R22.5Tire Failures
Champion Ford Edinboro / Steering Shaft
FORD FORD
Front Passenger Seat Belt Anchor Failure
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
Extended Braking Distance
MERCURY MERCURY
Scope of Recalls 08V311 and 09V431
NISSAN SENTRA
Engine Compartment Fire
SMART FORTWO
Vehicle Rollaway
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Powered vehicle rollaway
JAGUAR JAGUAR
Brake Master Cylinder Failure
FORD F-150
Inadvertent Curtain and Seat Air Bag
NISSAN NISSAN
Door Ajar Warning Light Always On
FORD FORD
Power Steering Failure
FORD FUSION
Electronic Parking Brake
Wheel End may Separate from Axle
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
FORD EXPLORER
Automatic vehicle control systems
TESLA MODEL S
Yaw rate sensor malfunction
TOYOTA SEQUOIA
Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
PONTIAC SOLSTICE
Wiper Motor Failure
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
HCI Helmet Recalls
Loss of Windshield Wiper Function
Improperly torqued hex nuts/drive axles
Master Cylinder External Leak
FORD F-150
Motorcycle Stalling
Nitrous oxide solenoid valves
Vehicle rollaway, engine on
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
CNG Fuel System Integrity
Door Latch Failure
FORD FOCUS
Improperly Seated Brake Diaphragm
Shasta Airflyte Safety Issues
Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Front Tire Overload
Low-speed surging
TOYOTA TOYOTA
Hitch Failure
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
FORD PICKUP
Front Brake Hose Failure
FORD EXPLORER
Transfer Switch Heat Related Failures
Wheel bearing failure
ISUZU N-SERIES
Ride Quality
VOLVO VOLVO
BMW Safety Act Violations
BMW BMW
Occupant Classification System
KIA SPECTRA
Occupant Classification System Failure
NISSAN PATHFINDER HYBRID
Powered vehicle rollaway
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
SRS Control Module Failure
HONDA HONDA
International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
Loss of headlights
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS
Software security vulnerability
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
Software security vulnerability
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Low-speed surging
TOYOTA TOYOTA
Terex reporting
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
FORD PICKUP
Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure
Brake Power Assist Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Rollover Side Curtain Air Bags
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
5th Wheel malfunction
Lower ball joint separation
MAZDA MAZDA
False Positive Automated Braking
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
Wheel Separation
FORD FORD
Front Coil Spring Fracture
NISSAN NISSAN
Emergency Exit Obstruction
Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Safety Act Violations
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.