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.
RACK AND PINION FAILURE
Freightliner Freightliner
WHEEL CHAIR DOOR BECOMES UNLATCHED
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
FALLING BUS WINDOWS
International International
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING / FIRE
Chrysler Chrysler
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
BMW BMW
TOW BAR ASSEMBLY FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
Tire sidewall separation
AIR BAG OCS
KIA KIA
VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWER
TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT
Lincoln Lincoln
FUEL LINE LEAK
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
Air Brake System
AIR BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROL VALVES
REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK FAILURE
Isuzu Isuzu
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST STEERING
Engine stalling
Ford Freestar
Horton Fan Hub Failures
DOOR GLASS DETACHMENT
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
Subaru Subaru
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
MOTORCYCLE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
BMW F650gs
CARRIER CORP. K410 CONDENSOR ASSEMBLIES
AIR IN BRAKE SYSTEM
Honda Odyssey
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS - FIRES
EMERGENCY WINDOW HANDLES BREAK
SIDE WHEELCHAIR DOOR AJAR
TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE CHAFE
Bosch Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Workhorse Chassis
VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS
Ford Ford
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Mazda Tribute
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Ford Escape
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Toyota Sequoia
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
BMW 3-Series
UNWANTED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION
Lexus Es350
Haldex Air Brake System Control Valves
WELD SEPARATION
Non-deployment of Side Thorax Air Bags
Nissan Nissan
HID REPLACEMENT KIT RECALL CAMPAIGNS
LONG CHIH TRAILERS MISSING TIRE PLACARDS
Turn Signal Lamps
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
Saturn Saturn
FUEL LINE LEAK
Subaru Impreza STI
LOWER SIDEWALL BULGE
FUEL LEAK
AIR BRAKE SYSTEM
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.