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.
All wheel drive allegation
ACURA ACURA
Loss of Power Steering Assist
RAM PROMASTER 1500
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
FORD F-150
Waymo AV striking a child in the area of a school.
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
MAZDA MAZDA
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.
TESLA MODEL 3
Timing Belt Failure
FORD FIESTA
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Rear Seat Belt Stitching Failure and Detachment
LAND ROVER DEFENDER
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
HONDA HONDA
Loss of Motive Power
HONDA CR-V HYBRID
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
HONDA ODYSSEY
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
Loss of braking force
ACURA ACURA
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
JEEP JEEP
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Waymo AV drives around a stopped school bus
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
TESLA
Electronic door handles become inoperative
TESLA MODEL Y
Underbody shields detachment
FORD EXPLORER
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Engine failure
HONDA RIDGELINE
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
TESLA
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
FORD FORD
Loss of rear-view camera image
POLESTAR POLESTAR 2
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
RAM 1500
Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 22V887
2014-2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L494) front steering knuckle fractures
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
NISSAN NISSAN
Windshield Wiper Failure
KIA KIA
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fuel Leak
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
HONDA HONDA
Rear-View Camera Failure
HONDA RIDGELINE
Collisions Involving Ford BlueCruise
FORD MUSTANG
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
HONDA PASSPORT
Crash incidents during Actually Smart Summon sessions
SMART
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
TESLA
Frame Flex on Grand Design Fifth Wheel Recreational Trailers
Underhood fires
JEEP GLADIATOR
Inner Tie Rod Failures
NISSAN NISSAN
Vehicle entrapment
DODGE JOURNEY
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Loss of Motive Power
JEEP WRANGLER 4XE
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
NISSAN NISSAN
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
FORD SUPER DUTY
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
TESLA
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
HONDA ACCORD
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
CADILLAC CADILLAC
Blue Compass RV Open Recall Sale
High Voltage Coolant Heaters may fail to defrost windshield
LAND ROVER ROVER
2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure
RAM 3500
Loss of Power Brake/Steering Assist Post 22V-089 Inspection.
FORD E-350
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
Certification
High Voltage Coolant Heater Delamination
LUCID AIR
Loss of steering control
TESLA MODEL 3
Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (Remedy effectiveness of Recall 22V-077)
CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID
Certification
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
TOYOTA PRIUS V
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
Shift Interlock Request
TESLA
Certification, Recall Scope, Timeliness
High pressure fuel pump failure
RAM 3500
Steering wheel detachment
TESLA MODEL Y
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale
FORD FORD
Unexpected Brake Activation
TESLA MODEL 3
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
LINCOLN NAUTILUS
Lateral Movement of Child Seat
Failure to report under 49 CFR Part 579
False Automatic Emergency Braking
NISSAN ROGUE SPORT
Sale of noncompliant school bus
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
INCORRECTLY MOLDED MASTER FLOAT CHAMBER
FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36
FUEL PUMP CAMPAIGN
REAR SPROCKET BOLTS
IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE EMER BRAKE
CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS
NISSAN SENTRA
ELECTRICAL SHORT
OMITTED EXHAUST HANGER
WINDSHIELD SIPER MOTOR HARNESS WIRES
TAILLIGHT WIRING RE-ROUTING
HEADLAMP WIRING
HONDA ACCORD
OVERHEAD CONSOLE LOOSE OR HANGS DOWN
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE
REAR COMPARTMENT LID ROD SEPARATION
REAR FRAME/SUSPENSION FAILURE
BRUSH/GRILLE GUARD CAMPAIGN
DYSFUNCTIONAL TURN SIGNAL ASSY.
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. Learn more.