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.
MOTORCYCLE HANDLEBAR FRACTURING
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
REFUELING SPIT BACK
MOTORCYCLE INSTABILITY
MOTORCYCLE FUEL LEAK
Suzuki Intruder
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
Ford Ford
VEHICLE STEERING
FRONT SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEM
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION
UNSECURED PASSENGER SEAT
BLOW BACK DURING REFUELING
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIES
Hyundai Hyundai
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS
STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION
TIRE PUNCTURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
REFUELING SPIT- BACK
DRAW PIN BOX
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
VEHICLE FIRES
LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
BOAT TRAILER SURGE BRAKE LOCKUP
FOG LAMP FIRE
FRONT BRAKE HOSE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Uncontrolled Engine Speed
IGNITION SWITCH
Dodge Dodge
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
FIRES IN THE CENTER CONSOLE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER
FUEL TANK CRACKS
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING
FIFTH-WHEEL MOUNTING PLATE CRACKING
SHIFT-LOCK
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
Subaru Subaru
UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAGE
SPARE TIRE WEAR
TRUCK ROLLOVER CRASHES
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
BMW 328i
REAR SAFETY BELT MALFUNCTION
WINDSHIELD WIPER
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE
Mercury Villager
BRAKING SYSTEM
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
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.