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.
STEERING KNUCKLE FRACTURE
Hummer H2
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
Volkswagen Volkswagen
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE
Lincoln Navigator
ALTERNATOR FAILURE/ ENGINE STALLING
Nissan Nissan
INADVERTENT FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
IGNITION RELAY FAILURE
Pontiac Pontiac
HYDRAULIC FAN FITTINGS LEAKING
LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
DETERIORATING EXHAUST THERMAL BLANKET
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Ford
UNPROTECTED LP GAS LINE
RETRACTABLE PLATFORM STEP LADDER
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING
KIA KIA
TIRE VALVE FAILURE
International International
REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE
KIA Spectra
POWER-SLIDING DOOR
UNINTENDED SIDE-STAND DEPLOYMENT
Honda Honda
TIE ROD TUBE FAILURE
Freightliner Freightliner
FAILING SEAT BELT BUCKLES
Cadillac Cadillac
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
Saturn Saturn
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
LOSS OF ADAPTIVE STEERING CONTROL
Chrysler Chrysler
TRANSMISSION LOCKUP
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
Suzuki Suzuki
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
FRONTAL DRIVER AIR BAG
Honda Honda
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
REAR SUSPENSION TOE CONTROL LINK
Saturn Saturn
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
SPEAKER FIRE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE
LUGGAGE STRUT ARM SHORTS CIRCUITS
SERVICE BRAKE SUPPLY TANK SEPARATION
CRANKSHAFT FAILURES
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY
Mercury Mountaineer
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Ford Ford
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
OVERHEATED FUEL PUMP WIRING
POST-CRASH FUEL TANK LEAK
Hyundai Hyundai
FALSE PARK
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGE
Toyota Toyota
HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFFING
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
Freightliner Freightliner
WHEEL SEPARATION
GLASS ROOF SHATTERING
Nissan Maxima
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILURE
ENGINE STALLING
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
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.