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.
FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION
KIA KIA
BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER HOSE COLLAPSES
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
ENGINE SURGING
Toyota Toyota
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
Chevrolet Chevrolet
AXLE SPINDLE WELD FRACTURE
AXLE SPINDLE WELD
AXLE SPINDLE WELD FRACTURE
AXLE SPINDLE WELD FRACTURE
AXLE - SPINDLE WELD
FAILED TAG AXLE SWING ARMS
MISSING ELECT. PANEL MOUNTING HARDWARE
HEADREST/HARNESS ADJUSTMENT BAR FAILS
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS
Freightliner Freightliner
INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRES
Chrysler Chrysler
FUEL LEAK
CARRY HANDLE SCREWS FALL OUT
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Jaguar Jaguar
LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE
Toyota Sequoia
UNEXPECTED LIFTGATE CLOSING
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
TIRE FAILURE
PETITION RE: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION
Jeep Commander
OVER STRESSED BATTERY CABLES
GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERS
COMPLETE OR PARTIAL JACK COLLAPSE
CARRY HANDLE
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Medium Duty
ENGINE STALLING
Chrysler Chrysler
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIRE
Dodge Durango
FUEL TANK PUNCTURES
Nissan Nissan
CROSSMEMBER CORROSION FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE - STALL
Saturn Saturn
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Jeep Liberty
TREAD SEPARATIONS
BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
BROKEN SPOKE/TIRE DEFLATION
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
Suzuki Suzuki
ALLEGED HEADLIGHT FAILURE
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRES
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
CLUTCH LINKAGE FAILURE
Jeep Wrangler
LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
BRAKE AIR PRESSURE BUZZER INOPERATIVE
VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES
Volvo Volvo
DISC WHEEL SPACERS FOR ALUMINUM WHEELS
Volvo Volvo Truck
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Porsche Porsche
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
Dodge Durango
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.