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.
FUEL PUMP LEAK
Volvo Volvo
RACK AND PINION FAILURE
Freightliner Freightliner
WHEEL CHAIR DOOR BECOMES UNLATCHED
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING / FIRE
Chrysler Chrysler
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
BMW BMW
AIR BAG OCS
KIA KIA
VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER
TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT
Lincoln Lincoln
REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Isuzu Isuzu
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING
DOOR GLASS DETACHMENT
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
MOTORCYCLE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
BMW F650gs
AIR IN BRAKE SYSTEM
Honda Odyssey
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS - FIRES
EMERGENCY WINDOW HANDLES BREAK
SIDE WHEELCHAIR DOOR AJAR
TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE CHAFE
VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS
Ford Ford
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
WELD SEPARATION
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
Saturn Saturn
FUEL LINE LEAK
Subaru Impreza STI
LOWER SIDEWALL BULGE
FUEL LEAK
AIR BRAKE SYSTEM
REAR BRAKE AIR CHAMBER MTG BRACKETS
Kenworth Kenworth
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING
Hyundai Elantra
AIR BRAKE CONTROL VALVE
DIFFICULTY ATTACHING INFANT SEAT TO BASE
COOLING FAN SEPARATION
FIRE
Honda Honda
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE
SUSPENSION BOLT FAILURE
BRAKE HOSE/TUBE ABRADING
STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
Hyundai Hyundai
HORTON FAN HUB FAILURES
Kenworth Kenworth
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND/OR TRAC
Toyota Sequoia
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD
STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE
Ford Crown Victoria
AIR COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE LINE
Mack Mack
IMPROPER HANDRAIL INSTALLATION
SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION
Ford Ford
DRIVER SEAT ANCHOR FAILURE
FUEL PUMP LEAK
Subaru Subaru
CNG REGULATOR LEAK
Ford Pickup
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.