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.
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
GASOLINE SUPPLY LINE TO GEN'R SEEPAGE
FUEL LEAK / STALLING
EMERGENCY DOOR HANDLE FAILURE
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
INTERIOR FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Chrysler Chrysler
STUCK THROTTLE VALVE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
AIR LINE DETACHING FROM DASH
PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SIDE FRONT WINDOW SHATTERS
Toyota Toyota
WHEEL FAILURE
SAF HOLLAND FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Volvo Volvo
INSECURE FIFTH WHEEL LATCHING
Freightliner Freightliner
TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW BMW
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
Chevrolet Chevrolet
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
MINI Cooper
FRONT DIFF. / PROPELLER SHAFT FAILURE
Land Rover Range Rover
400 AMP PRIMARY FUSE CORROSION
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE
UNWANTED ACCELERATION, FLOOR MAT
Toyota Toyota
DIESEL FUEL LEAK
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
SEATBACK RECLINE MECHANISM FAILURE
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
Suzuki Forenza
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
International International
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
Land Rover Freelander
CHOKING ON CHILD SEAT STYROFOAM
FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL
Cadillac Cadillac
TRAILER WHEEL SEPARATION
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
DASH/INTERIOR FIRE
International International
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS
Workhorse Chassis
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
BMW BMW
SIDE ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL FIRES
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Pontiac Grand Prix
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
Honda Honda
ENGINE STALLING & ELECTRIC POWER LOSS
Dodge Dodge
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Nissan Altima
TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE STALLING
Chrysler Chrysler
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
Pontiac Pontiac
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
BMW BMW
SEAT TRACK CORROSION
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.