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.
IMPROP.WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
THROTTLE STICKING
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
HINGE PIN FAILURE
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
EXHAUST LEAK/FIRES
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
STEERING WHEEL DETACHMENT
HEATER CORE FAILURE
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
PROPANE TANK SEPARATION
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
TRAILER WHEEL FAILURES
REAR DOOR FAILURE
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION
BRAKE CAMSHAFT FAILURE
VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILS
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
POWER STEERING FAILURE
ALTERNATOR RECTIFIER OVRHT
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR BRK
THROTTLE RELEASE FAILURE
REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION
SPEED CONTROL FAILURE
FUEL EXPULSION
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
DISC BRAKE LINING SPLIT
BRAKE FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
TRANSIT BUS FIRES
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
IMPROPER RESTRAINT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
TRUNK LID 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.