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.
THROTTLE PEDAL FAILS TO RETURN
TURN SIGNAL
BATTERY EXPLOSION
EMERGENCY EXIT
AMERI 550AS 1995-2001 P235/70R16
SEAT BACK
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
FRONT STABILIZER LINK
INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARK
FRACTURES OF MAIN FRAME
UNDERCARRIAGE PAN/COVER DETACHMENT
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
TRAILER AXLE CRACKING
WIPER ARM
FRONT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE
TILT-CAB RETENTION LATCH
DRIVER'S CAB DOOR TO DOOR FRAME CLEARANC
TIRE PRESURE CONTROL SYSTEM HOSE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
BRAKE SHOE SLACK ADJUSTER
REAR COT ATTACHMENT
PASSENGER AIR BAG-RELATED EYE INJURIES
FIRE BY THE REAR AUXILIARY HEAT
DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATION
FRONT SHOULDER BELT WEBBING GUIDE
VEHICLE EXPLOSION
REAR FRAME CRACKS
DRIVER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION
Pontiac Grand Prix
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER
REAR WHEEL DRIVE HUB FRACTURE
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
BRAKE LOSS
TIRE
AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
SEAT BELT WEBBING
Ford Explorer
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FRAME MOUNTING
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
REAR DRIVE AXLE/SUSPENSION U-BOLT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINK
PARKING BRAKE
CROSS-MEMBER WELDS CRACK
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
STOP LAMP SWITCH
OVERHEATING OF FRONT SEAT HEATERS
TURN SIGNAL
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
PROPANE VEHICLE CONVERSION
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.