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.
WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
Ford Windstar
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OPERATION
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
REAR VIEW MIRROR STEM FAILURES
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Ford Taurus
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Nissan Altima
MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIRE
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR DROPS ABRUPTLY
MOTORCYCLE WHEEL CATASTROPHIC FAILURES
INFANT CAR SEAT SEPARATION FROM BASE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT FRAME BRACKET FAILURE
Honda Accord
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
ALLEGED BRAKE HOSE FAILURES
Ford Ford
BRAKE DRUM
ALLEGED FAILURE OF 2ND ROW SEATBELT ALR
FUEL TANK LEAK
ROAD WHEEL & TIRE FAILURES
ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION
TURN SIGNAL FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
WHEEL WELD FRACTURE
BALL JOINT
ABS TONE RING CORRODES ABS ACTUATION
ABS TONE RING CORRODES CAUSING UNINTENDE
Freightliner Freightliner
FIFTH WHEEL KINGPIN BOX BROKEN WELDS
FUEL HOSE ABRASION
ALLEGED TREAD SEPARATION
TREAD SEPERATION. MADE BETWEEN 1997-1999
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM
Hyundai Hyundai
CARBON MONOXIDE INTRUSION
STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
FUEL SPILL DURING REFUELING
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
KIA KIA
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
WHEELCHAIR LIFT PLATFORM
OVERHEATING FRONT BRAKES
SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY
TIRE VALVE
HOOD LATCH
FUEL PUMP/STALLING
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
RETENTION NUT LOOSENING AND SEPARATION
ENGINE STALLING
CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET/FIREWALL
HANDLEBAR LOOSENING
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
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.