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.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
Toyota Toyota
MAXON LIFT CORP. WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
MOTORCYCLE FUEL LEAK/STALLING
WHEELCHAIR LIFT ARM FRACTURES
WINDSHIELD WIPER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
FRAME FRACTURE/SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
MOTORSCOOTER STALLING
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
INADEQUATE BRAKE POWER ASSIST
Pontiac Solstice
HARNESS ADJUSTER MALFUNCTION
HANGZHOU REPLACEMENT REAR WINDOW GLASS
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
SEAT WEBBING WEAVE SEPARATION, WEAR
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Chrysler Chrysler
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
STUCK THROTTLE VALVE
TRAILER LIGHT PLUG FAILURE
Kenworth Kenworth
SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURES
Freightliner Freightliner
FUEL TANK LEAK
Volkswagen Volkswagen
SUDDEN AND UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION
Toyota Tacoma
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Lamborghini
REDUCED BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
SAAB SAAB
SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
ALTERNATOR B+ CABLE RETENTION
SEVAS S-10 AFTERMARKET WHEEL RIMS
International International
DANA CORPORATION DRIVESHAFTS
TRW STEERING GEARS WITH DEFECTIVE SECTOR
CUMMINS ENGINES / FUEL LINE BRACKETS
BRAKE LINE RUPTURE
LOSS OF BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
Lincoln Lincoln
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW 3-Series
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Jeep Liberty
POWER SLIDING DOOR
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Cadillac Cadillac
FUEL PUMP FAILURE - STALL
FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION
Freightliner Custom Chassis
LIFT ASSISSTED CARGO DOORS
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE
Acura Acura
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
Ford Ford
OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPER
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.