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.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Honda Accord
Car Seat Harness Buckle
Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage
KIA Sorento
Headliner Fires
Chrysler Chrysler
Loss of rear lighting assembly
Simultaneous Loss of Low-Beam Headlights
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Fuel Leak - Motorycle
BMW BMW
Brake Light Switch/Sensor Malfunction
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
Loss of Steering Control
Mercury Grand Marquis
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
Child Seat Harness Buckle
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
Honda Honda
Floor mat interference with accelerator
Mercury Mercury
Headliner Bracket Detachment
Hyundai Elantra
MCI Drive Shaft Safety Loop Failures
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Pontiac Pontiac
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Chrysler Chrysler
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Mercury Monterey
Vehicle Rollaway
BMW 7-Series
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
Chrysler Chrysler
Transmission Shift Cable Failure
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Electric Power Steering Failure
Saturn Saturn
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Chrysler Chrysler
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
Honda Honda
Haldex Spring Brake Failures
Loss of headlight illumination
Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture
Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode
Wheel Separations (Broken Studs)
Loss of power steering assist
MINI Cooper
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Engine Compartment Fire
Brake line corrosion failure
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Ford Windstar
Engine Stall
Pontiac Pontiac
Harness slippage
Interior Door Handle Laceration Risk
HVAC Switch Failures
Engine Compartment Fire
Mazda Tribute
Inadvertent airbag deployment
Ford Ford
Rear Lamp Illumination
BMW BMW
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
Honda Passport
Air Bag Occupant Classification System
Transmission Torque Converter Failure
Mercury Monterey
Air in brake system
Honda Odyssey
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
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.