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.
FUEL LEAK
CARRY HANDLE SCREWS FALL OUT
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Jaguar Jaguar
UNEXPECTED LIFTGATE CLOSING
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
TIRE FAILURE
OVER STRESSED BATTERY CABLES
GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERS
COMPLETE OR PARTIAL JACK COLLAPSE
CARRY HANDLE
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
CROSSMEMBER CORROSION FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
BROKEN SPOKE/TIRE DEFLATION
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
Suzuki Suzuki
ALLEGED HEADLIGHT FAILURE
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
CLUTCH LINKAGE FAILURE
Jeep Wrangler
BRAKE AIR PRESSURE BUZZER INOPERATIVE
DISC WHEEL SPACERS FOR ALUMINUM WHEELS
Volvo Volvo Truck
ELECTRICAL PANEL FIRES
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM FAILURE
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Ford
FUEL TANK PUNCTURES
Chrysler Chrysler
FIRE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
Saturn Saturn
FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Honda Honda
INADVERTENT SLIDE-OUT EXTENSION MOVEMENT
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Jeep Liberty
WHEELCHAIR LIFT ARM FRACTURES
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
KIA Sportage
ENGINE TURBOCHARGER FAILURE
SUSPENSION-FRAME CRACKS
BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE
Mazda Mazda
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM PERFORMANCE
Volvo Volvo
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Porsche Porsche
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
Mercedes-Benz S Class
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES
HOOD STRUT FAILURE
Volvo Volvo
VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES
Volvo Volvo
STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS
Dodge Durango
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION
MINI Cooper
REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Benz
SUN ROOF GLASS FAILURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURES FROM ROAD DEBRIS
Nissan Nissan
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.