NHTSA
Defect investigations
NHTSA opens defect investigations when complaint patterns suggest a possible safety risk. Browse all 4,173 investigations, including 93 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.
PINTLE HOOK PIN FRACTURES
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
SAAB SAAB
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
KIA KIA
LTR TIRES HANGZHOU ZHONGCE RUBBER CO. LT
FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
MOTOR SCOOTER STALLING - FUEL
PEG PEREGO PRIMO VIAGGIO CHILD SEAT
MOTORCYCLE STALLING - ELECTRICAL
Unexpected Closing of Power Liftgate
HONDA ODYSSEY
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
TOYOTA TOYOTA
RICON "S" & "K" 5500 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
RICON/THRESHOLD WARNING/ANTI-STOW
FUEL SPIT-BACK DURING REFUELING
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
2000-2001 DODGE RAM PICKUP HOOD LATCH
DODGE RAM PICKUP
LOSS OF POWER STEERING
TRANSMISSION HOSE LEAK
NISSAN MAXIMA
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
HYUNDAI ELANTRA
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MODULE FAILURE
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
TOYOTA TOYOTA
REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FAILURE
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI
ACCELERATOR PEDAL-FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
FRONT AXLE / TIRE OVERLOAD
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE
MERCURY MERCURY
DOMETIC CORPORATION TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATO
PACE AMERICAN 573 RETRACTION
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
SATURN SATURN
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFING/LEAKING
NORCOLD, INC ABSORPTION REFRIGERATORS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
INFINITI INFINITI
FREIGHTLINER AAC AXLE STEERING BOLTS
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
TIRE VALVE CRACKS
FORD EXPLORER
BENDIX SOLD PARKER SINGLE CHECK VALVES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FORD WINDSTAR
SCHOOL BUS STALLING
BENDIX SR-7 SPRING BRAKE MOD. VALVES
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
BMW BMW
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
MINI COOPER
STEERING BINDING
KIA SEDONA
BRAKE LINE CHAFE
SEAT BACK WARMER OVERHEATS/BURNS
FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
HYUNDAI HYUNDAI
PINTLE HOOK PIN FRACTURES
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
TOYOTA TOYOTA
MAXON LIFT CORP. WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
MOTORCYCLE FUEL LEAK/STALLING
WHEELCHAIR LIFT ARM FRACTURES
WINDSHIELD WIPER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
FRAME FRACTURE/SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
MOTORSCOOTER STALLING
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK
MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
INADEQUATE BRAKE POWER ASSIST
PONTIAC SOLSTICE
HARNESS ADJUSTER MALFUNCTION
HANGZHOU REPLACEMENT REAR WINDOW GLASS
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI
HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
SEAT WEBBING WEAVE SEPARATION, WEAR
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
STUCK THROTTLE VALVE
TRAILER LIGHT PLUG FAILURE
KENWORTH KENWORTH
SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
FUEL TANK LEAK
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
SUDDEN AND UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION
TOYOTA TACOMA
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
LAMBORGHINI
REDUCED BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
SAAB SAAB
SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
ALTERNATOR B+ CABLE RETENTION
SEVAS S-10 AFTERMARKET WHEEL RIMS
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
DANA CORPORATION DRIVESHAFTS
TRW STEERING GEARS WITH DEFECTIVE SECTOR
CUMMINS ENGINES / FUEL LINE BRACKETS
BRAKE LINE RUPTURE
LOSS OF BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
LINCOLN LINCOLN
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW 3-SERIES
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
JEEP LIBERTY
POWER SLIDING DOOR
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
CADILLAC CADILLAC
FUEL PUMP FAILURE - STALL
FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS
LIFT ASSISSTED CARGO DOORS
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE
ACURA ACURA
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
FORD FORD
OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPER
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.