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.
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMEN
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START
REAR SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMENT
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL TANK LEAK
ELECTRICAL WIRE CHAFING
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
CARRY HANDLE INTEGRITY
AIR BAG MODULE DETACHMENT
Jeep Jeep
HEADLIGHT
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
HELMET STRAP ATTACHMENT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
FUEL LINE LEAKS
WINDSHIELD WIPER
STEERING LOSS
Freightliner Freightliner
HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
DOOR PANEL/GARNISH SEPARATION
LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCURED
INADVERTENT ENGINE STALLING
TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD
FRONT CENTER LAP BELT ANCHORAGE
INAPPROPRIATE VENTING CNG TRANSIT BUS
INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF CHILD SEAT
FIRES IN BUSES FUELED BY CNG
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT SPLINE ATTACHMENT
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
12 VOLT/24 VOLT BATTERY EQUALIZER ON BUS
BATTERY LEAKS ACID
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
Ford Explorer
STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER
STOP LAMP
OVERSENSITIVE STEERING
STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE
ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL SUPPLY LINE LEAK
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
STEERING COLUMN FIRE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
Suzuki Hayabusa
INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAG
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
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.