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.
UNINTENDED REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
Honda Honda
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
U-BOLT/FRAME INTERFERENCE
DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIRE
Audi Audi
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER (CCT)
Suzuki Suzuki
PASSENGER DOOR INTERLOCK MALFUNCTION
FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Mazda Mazda
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
Subaru Subaru
ALTERNATOR FAILURES
STRICK SEMI TRAILER HUB FAILURES
STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE
STEERING ARM SEPARATION
International International
HEADLIGHT SEPARATES
STEERING SHAFT BOLT BINDS ON COVER
International International
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
UNINTENDED SIDE STAND DEPLOYMENT
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT
Mercury Mountaineer
STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATS
AXLE BREAKAGE
HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Honda Honda
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Honda Honda
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE SEPARATION
Volkswagen Volkswagen
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
KIA KIA
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Lincoln Lincoln
THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
Ford Crown Victoria
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS
Freightliner Freightliner
POWER CABLE GROUNDING
FUEL HOSE LEAKS
FUEL TANK LEAKS
Volvo Volvo
FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH
Mercury Mercury
ENGINE STALL
REAR AXLE FAILURE
VELVET RIDE SUSPENSION
2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKS
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
Volvo Volvo
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
Mack Mack
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
International International
FRONT AXLE BEARING FAILURE
Peterbilt Peterbilt
ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION SAGGING
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
Freightliner Freightliner
WELD IN TRAILER FLOOR FRAME (OMITTED)
LUG BOLT FAILURE AT WHEELS
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.