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.
TURN SIGNAL LAMPS
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
Saturn Saturn
TIRE VALVE CRACKING
International International
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
Chrysler Chrysler
DIMINISHED BRAKING
TRASH TRUCK FIRES
FRONT LEAF SPRING BREAKAGE
International International
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
STOP LAMP MALFUNCTION
Pontiac Pontiac
DRAG LINK FAILURE
PRNDL MISALIGNMENT
Chrysler Chrysler
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
SAAB SAAB
MOTOR SCOOTER STALLING - FUEL
PEG PEREGO PRIMO VIAGGIO CHILD SEAT
MOTORCYCLE STALLING - ELECTRICAL
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
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
Toyota Toyota
REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FAILURE
Hyundai Hyundai
ACCELERATOR PEDAL-FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFING/LEAKING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Infiniti Infiniti
TIRE VALVE CRACKS
Ford Explorer
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Ford Windstar
SCHOOL BUS STALLING
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
BMW BMW
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
MINI Cooper
STEERING BINDING
KIA Sedona
SEAT BACK WARMER OVERHEATS/BURNS
FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
Hyundai Hyundai
PINTLE HOOK PIN FRACTURES
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
Toyota Toyota
MOTORCYCLE FUEL LEAK/STALLING
WHEELCHAIR LIFT ARM FRACTURES
WINDSHIELD WIPER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
FRAME FRACTURE/SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
MOTORSCOOTER STALLING
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
INADEQUATE BRAKE POWER ASSIST
Pontiac Solstice
HARNESS ADJUSTER MALFUNCTION
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
SEAT WEBBING WEAVE SEPARATION, WEAR
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.