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.
Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment
HYUNDAI ELANTRA
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
MERCURY MONTEREY
High Pressure Oil Line Rupture
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
Braun Wheelchair Lifts
Vehicle Rollaway
BMW 7-SERIES
TSE Brakes, Inc. Hill Hold Requirements
Engine compartment fire
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Skid plate debris fires
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Engine compartment fires
MCI Driveshaft Safety Loop Failures
Turbocharger Failure
Dexter Hydraulic Brake Actuators Failing
Stuck throttle
FORD TAURUS
Diminished Brake Performance
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Power Window Master Switch Fire
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
Sure Power Battery Separator Fires
Fuel System (Tank/Sender) Leakage
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
M/C final drive ball bearing failure
BMW BMW
Collapse of Squad Seat Base
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
FORD FORD
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Fuel level gauge system failure
INFINITI INFINITI
Post-Crash EV Fire Hazard
Transmission Shift Cable Failure
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Engine compartment fire
MINI COOPER
Electric Power Steering Failure
SATURN SATURN
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Unexpected Closing of Power Liftgate
HONDA ODYSSEY
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Service Jack Failure
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
HONDA HONDA
Pass-Through Power Stud Corrosion
Brake Line Chafing
Haldex Spring Brake Failures
Wheelchair Lift Rollstop Failure
Loss of headlight illumination
Thomas Built CNG Tank Abrasion
Output shaft failure and separation
Fire truck aerial ladder failure
Brake master cylinder leak
MAZDA MAZDA
Vehicle Rollaway
BMW BMW
Gunite Slack Adjusters Breaking
Inability to shift gears on acceleration
FORD FORD
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN
Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
LOTUS ELISE
Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode
Wheel Separations (Broken Studs)
Airbag Clockspring Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
VOLVO VOLVO
Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
NISSAN NISSAN
Transmission Cable Failure
Williams Controls Accelerator Pedals
Idle instability
MERCURY MERCURY
Loss of power steering assist
MINI COOPER
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
HONDA HONDA
Rear Liftgate Window Glass Breakage
FORD FORD
Battery Cable Corrosion
Fuel level gauge system failure
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Fontaine Ultra LT 5th Wheel False Latch
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
KIA SORENTO
Frontal Air Bag Non-deployment
TOYOTA COROLLA
Front suspension control arm failure
SUBARU FORESTER
Outer Tie Rod Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Haldex Brake Chamber Spring Failures
Caterpillar C7 Hose Leak
Fuel Tank Straps Fail due to Corrosion
Carrier A/C Evaporator Fires
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
CADILLAC CADILLAC
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
NISSAN PATHFINDER
Engine Compartment Fire
Wheel Stud Fracture
FORD FUSION
Fuel Leak
RPM's surging during pump mode
Brake line corrosion failure
Siemens Circuit Breakers Failing
Brake lamp switch failure.
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
FORD WINDSTAR
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
FORD WINDSTAR
Electric Power Steering Failure
SATURN SATURN
Norcold Refrigerator Fires
Hitch Receiver Fracture
Trans/Air TA73 Evaporator Melting
Engine Cooling Fan Fracture
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
HONDA HONDA
Transmission Shift Cable Detachment
Braking Performance
HONDA ACCORD HYBRID
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Failing 5th wheel attachment bolts
MACK CXU612
Motorcycle coolant leak...radiator
Fuel leak at pump/tank interface
Motorcycle Stalling
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.