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.
REAR BRAKE AIR CHAMBER MTG BRACKETS
Kenworth Kenworth
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING
Hyundai Elantra
AIR BRAKE CONTROL VALVE
DIFFICULTY ATTACHING INFANT SEAT TO BASE
COOLING FAN SEPARATION
FIRE
Honda Honda
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE
SUBURBAN GLASS TOP COOKTOPS
SUSPENSION BOLT FAILURE
BRAKE HOSE/TUBE ABRADING
Drag Link Failure
Volvo Volvo
Electronic Stability Control
Chevrolet Chevrolet
STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
Hyundai Hyundai
HORTON FAN HUB FAILURES
Kenworth Kenworth
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Ignition Shift Interlock
Honda Element
Irvine Shade & Door Glass Shower Doors
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND/OR TRAC
Toyota Sequoia
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD
STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE
Ford Crown Victoria
AIR COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE LINE
Mack Mack
IMPROPER HANDRAIL INSTALLATION
SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION
Ford Ford
STEERING NECK SEPARATION
MOTORCYCLE STALLING - ELECTRICAL
DRIVER SEAT ANCHOR FAILURE
FUEL PUMP LEAK
Subaru Subaru
FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS/SAF-HOLLAND EQUIP.
Freightliner Freightliner
ARVINMERITOR WHEEL END STUDS
CNG REGULATOR LEAK
Ford Pickup
REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE
Hyundai Santa FE
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
Toyota Toyota
TURN SIGNAL LAMPS
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
Saturn Saturn
TIRE VALVE CRACKING
International International
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
Chrysler Chrysler
DIMINISHED BRAKING
TRASH TRUCK FIRES
TIRE VALVE OZONE CRACKING
FRONT LEAF SPRING BREAKAGE
International International
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Ford Ford
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
STOP LAMP MALFUNCTION
Pontiac Pontiac
DRAG LINK FAILURE
IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK
Honda Accord
PRNDL MISALIGNMENT
Chrysler Chrysler
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
MINI Cooper S
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.