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.
Loss of headlight illumination
Thomas Built CNG Tank Abrasion
Output shaft failure and separation
Fire truck aerial ladder failure
Brake master cylinder leak
Mazda Mazda
Vehicle Rollaway
BMW BMW
Gunite Slack Adjusters Breaking
Inability to shift gears on acceleration
Ford Ford
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
Lotus Elise
Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode
Wheel Separations (Broken Studs)
Airbag Clockspring Failure
Chrysler Chrysler
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
Volvo Volvo
Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Nissan Nissan
Transmission Cable Failure
Williams Controls Accelerator Pedals
Idle instability
Mercury Mercury
Loss of power steering assist
MINI Cooper
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
Low Beam Headlights Stop Working
Honda Honda
Rear Liftgate Window Glass Breakage
Ford Ford
Battery Cable Corrosion
Fuel level gauge system failure
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Chrysler Chrysler
Fontaine Ultra LT 5th Wheel False Latch
Freightliner Freightliner
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
KIA Sorento
Frontal Air Bag Non-deployment
Toyota Corolla
Front suspension control arm failure
Subaru Forester
Outer Tie Rod Failure
Chrysler Chrysler
Haldex Brake Chamber Spring Failures
Caterpillar C7 Hose Leak
Fuel Tank Straps Fail due to Corrosion
Carrier A/C Evaporator Fires
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Volkswagen Volkswagen
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
Cadillac Cadillac
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
Nissan Pathfinder
Engine Compartment Fire
Wheel Stud Fracture
Ford Fusion
Fuel Leak
RPM's surging during pump mode
Brake line corrosion failure
Siemens Circuit Breakers Failing
Brake lamp switch failure.
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Ford Windstar
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
Ford Windstar
Electric Power Steering Failure
Saturn Saturn
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.