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.
Loss of Power Steering Assist
RAM PROMASTER 1500
Waymo AV striking a child in the area of a school.
Timing Belt Failure
FORD FIESTA
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 braking force
ACURA ACURA
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
JEEP JEEP
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
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Engine failure
HONDA RIDGELINE
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
FORD FORD
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
Crash incidents during Actually Smart Summon sessions
SMART
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
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
NISSAN NISSAN
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
FORD SUPER DUTY
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
CADILLAC CADILLAC
2022 RAM Transmission Snap Ring Failure
RAM 3500
Steering wheel detachment
TESLA MODEL Y
Unexpected Brake Activation
TESLA MODEL 3
Lateral Movement of Child Seat
False Automatic Emergency Braking
NISSAN ROGUE SPORT
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.