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.
THROTTLE PEDAL FAILS TO RETURN
TURN SIGNAL
BATTERY EXPLOSION
EMERGENCY EXIT
AMERI 550AS 1995-2001 P235/70R16
SEAT BACK
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
FRONT STABILIZER LINK
INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARK
FRACTURES OF MAIN FRAME
UNDERCARRIAGE PAN/COVER DETACHMENT
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
TRAILER AXLE CRACKING
WIPER ARM
FRONT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE
TILT-CAB RETENTION LATCH
DRIVER'S CAB DOOR TO DOOR FRAME CLEARANC
TIRE PRESURE CONTROL SYSTEM HOSE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
BRAKE SHOE SLACK ADJUSTER
REAR COT ATTACHMENT
PASSENGER AIR BAG-RELATED EYE INJURIES
FIRE BY THE REAR AUXILIARY HEAT
DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATION
FRONT SHOULDER BELT WEBBING GUIDE
VEHICLE EXPLOSION
REAR FRAME CRACKS
DRIVER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER
REAR WHEEL DRIVE HUB FRACTURE
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
BRAKE LOSS
TIRE
AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
SEAT BELT WEBBING
FORD EXPLORER
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FRAME MOUNTING
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
REAR DRIVE AXLE/SUSPENSION U-BOLT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINK
PARKING BRAKE
CROSS-MEMBER WELDS CRACK
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
STOP LAMP SWITCH
OVERHEATING OF FRONT SEAT HEATERS
TURN SIGNAL
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
PROPANE VEHICLE CONVERSION
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMEN
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START
REAR SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMENT
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL TANK LEAK
ELECTRICAL WIRE CHAFING
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
CARRY HANDLE INTEGRITY
AIR BAG MODULE DETACHMENT
JEEP JEEP
HEADLIGHT
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
HELMET STRAP ATTACHMENT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
FUEL LINE LEAKS
WINDSHIELD WIPER
STEERING LOSS
FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER
HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
DOOR PANEL/GARNISH SEPARATION
LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCURED
INADVERTENT ENGINE STALLING
TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD
FRONT CENTER LAP BELT ANCHORAGE
INAPPROPRIATE VENTING CNG TRANSIT BUS
INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF CHILD SEAT
FIRES IN BUSES FUELED BY CNG
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT SPLINE ATTACHMENT
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
12 VOLT/24 VOLT BATTERY EQUALIZER ON BUS
BATTERY LEAKS ACID
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
FORD EXPLORER
STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER
STOP LAMP
OVERSENSITIVE STEERING
STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE
ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL SUPPLY LINE LEAK
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
STEERING COLUMN FIRE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
SUZUKI HAYABUSA
INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAG
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
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.