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.
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
TRAILER LIGHT PLUG FAILURE
Kenworth Kenworth
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES
Freightliner Freightliner
FUEL TANK LEAK
Volkswagen Volkswagen
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Lamborghini
REDUCED BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
SAAB SAAB
SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
ALTERNATOR B+ CABLE RETENTION
BRAKE LINE RUPTURE
LOSS OF BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
Lincoln Lincoln
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Jeep Liberty
LIFT ASSISSTED CARGO DOORS
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE
Acura Acura
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
Ford Ford
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
GASOLINE SUPPLY LINE TO GEN'R SEEPAGE
FUEL LEAK / STALLING
EMERGENCY DOOR HANDLE FAILURE
INTERIOR FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Chrysler Chrysler
STUCK THROTTLE VALVE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
AIR LINE DETACHING FROM DASH
SIDE FRONT WINDOW SHATTERS
Toyota Toyota
WHEEL FAILURE
SAF HOLLAND FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Volvo Volvo
INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING
Freightliner Freightliner
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW BMW
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
Chevrolet Chevrolet
400 AMP PRIMARY FUSE CORROSION
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
DIESEL FUEL LEAK
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
Suzuki Forenza
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
Land Rover Freelander
CHOKING ON CHILD SEAT STYROFOAM
FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL
Cadillac Cadillac
TRAILER WHEEL SEPARATION
DASH/INTERIOR FIRE
International International
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS
Workhorse Chassis
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
BMW BMW
SIDE ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL FIRES
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
Honda Honda
ENGINE STALLING & ELECTRIC POWER LOSS
Dodge Dodge
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Nissan Altima
TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
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.