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.
ELECTRICAL PANEL FIRES
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM FAILURE
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Ford
DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
ENGINE STALLING
Chrysler Chrysler
ENGINE STALL - CRANK POSITION SENSOR
Nissan Altima
FUEL TANK PUNCTURES
Chrysler Chrysler
FIRE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
Saturn Saturn
REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE
FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Honda Honda
INADVERTENT SLIDE-OUT EXTENSION MOVEMENT
SUNROOF GLASS FAILURE
Cadillac Cadillac
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Jeep Liberty
WHEELCHAIR LIFT ARM FRACTURES
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
KIA Sportage
ENGINE TURBOCHARGER FAILURE
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
Jeep Liberty
UNSTABLE HEADLAMPS
Pontiac Grand Prix
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
Saturn Saturn
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
SAAB SAAB
SUSPENSION-FRAME CRACKS
THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Volvo Volvo
BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE
Mazda Mazda
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM PERFORMANCE
Volvo Volvo
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
ELECTRICAL HARNESS DAMAGE
FAN BLADE FAILURE (ENGINE COOLING FAN)
Jeep Grand Cherokee
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Porsche Porsche
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
Mercedes-Benz S Class
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
POWER STEERING FLUID FIRES
Plymouth Plymouth
TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
HOOD STRUT FAILURE
Volvo Volvo
ENGINE STALL
VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES
Volvo Volvo
HUMMER H2 STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURES
Hummer H2
STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT BOLTS
Dodge Durango
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
Land Rover Freelander
WINDSHIELD LEAK CAUSES ELECTRIC FAILURES
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION
MINI Cooper
REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Benz
SUN ROOF GLASS FAILURE
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Ford Triton
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.