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.
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
FORD F-150
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
Vehicle entrapment
DODGE JOURNEY
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
HONDA ACCORD
Loss of steering control
TESLA MODEL 3
High pressure fuel pump failure
RAM 3500
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.