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.
FAILURES DIGITALLY CONTROLLED STEERING
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
STEERING COLUMN FAILURE/SEPARATION
INFLATABLE CHILD SAFETY SEAT FAILURE
ALLEGED FAILURE OF REAR LEAF SPRINGS
ALLEGED FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
ELECTRIC RELAY CAUSING VEHICLE FIRES
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOPPING
FORD FORD
VEHICLE ELECTRICAL FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD SUPPORT FAILURES
CRACKING/FRACTURE OF CHASSIS FRAME RAILS
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
STERRING WHEEL BREAKAGE
THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION
ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
ALLEGED STEERING GEARBOX BRACKET FAILURE
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
FORD TAURUS
CENTURY PRODUCTS CAR SEAT PLASTIC FRAME
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
FORD FORD
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
STEERING GEAR SECTOR SHAFT ARM (PITMAN A
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH MALFUNCTION
MAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE
MAZDA MAZDA
ALTERNATOR FIRES
FORD FORD
EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE
SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME
ALLEGED FAILURE OF STEERING PITMAN SHAFT
BINDING THROTTLE HAND CONTROLS
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
HEADLIGHTS FAILURE
BATTERY CABLE SHORT
CHILD SAFETY SEAT BASE SEPARATION
WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
FORD FORD
FAILURE OF AUTO TRANS PARK LOCK SYSTEM
MERCURY MERCURY
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURES
TRASH TRUCK PACKER FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
TRANSIT BUS FIRES
BATTERY EXPLOSION
MERCURY VILLAGER
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
FORD TOPAZ
GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERING
MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI
STEER RCK +PINION MNT FAIL
FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE
PASSENGER SIDE DASH FIRES
UNINTENDED WHEEL CHAIR RESTRAINT DISCONN
HANDRAILS
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE
AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT SEPARATION
HONDA HONDA
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
FUEL LEAKEAGE FROM ROLLOVER VALVE
CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION
INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF SHIFTER
DODGE DAKOTA
SEAT TRACKS
FRONT BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE
STEERING COLUMN LOOSENING
HOOD FLY UP
PRNDL MISALIGNMENT
PASSENGER AIR BAG DETACHMENT
DASH TRIM PIECE SEPARATION
PLASTIC TRIM PANEL SEPARATION
INADVERTENT RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE
FIRES
SEAT BACK FAILURE
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
INFANT EJECTION FROM SEAT
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE AUTO HEATER
HANDLEBAR LOWER CLAMP FRACTURING
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS LEAKAGE
REAR SEAT ANCHORAGES
SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION
BRAKE PEDAL SEPARATION FROM PIVOT ARM
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
BRAKE LIGHT WIRING SEVERING
BRAKE PEDAL SEPARATION FROM PIVOT ARM
STEERING DAMPER/FUEL TANK INTEFERENCE
REAR AXLE SCREWS
REAR BRAKE DISC SEPARATION
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
SEAT BACK FAILURE
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
RETENTION CUP INGESTION
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
INADEQUATE BRK PERFORMANCE
FRONT BRAKE FIRES
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILS
FORD FORD
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL
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.