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.
UNDER DASH FIRES
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
HOOD FLY-UPS
INADVERT. STEERING LOCKUP
FUEL LEAKS
AUTO TRANS PRNDL MISALIGN
THROTTLE STICKING
SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
FUEL EXPULSION
MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE
LOOSE SPINDLE NUTS/WHL SEP
THROTTLE STICKING
CLUTCH ROD SEPARATION
FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE FAILS
FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
CHAMBER SEPAR./BROKEN BOLT
REAR DOOR FAILURES
REAR DOOR FAILURES
NUT CRACKING + WHEEL SEPAR
APV FUEL LINE FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
REAR WINDOW SHATTERING
INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING
PWR STEERING LEAKS/FIRES
FRONT SEAT BACK FAILURE
TRANSMISSION FAILURES
WIPER MOUNTING BRACKET
OVERLOADED REAR AXLES
FR.SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS
STICKING THROTTLE
COOLANT TANK FAILURE
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
WHEEL FAILURE
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
HEATER CORE FAILURE
HEATER CORE FAILURE
P30 CHASS.ROAD WHL FAILURE
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
HIGH IDLE FLARE
STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
LOSS OF BRK EFFECTIVENESS
IMPROPER AXLE INSTALLATION
TRANS FLUID LEAK/FIRES
INCONSIST.BRK PERFORMANCE
OIL CONTAM.IN AIR BRK SYST
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.