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.
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION
MINI Cooper
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
Ford Mustang Cobra
FUEL TANK PUNCTURES FROM ROAD DEBRIS
Nissan Nissan
ENGINE FIRES
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
STALLING & SUDDEN HEADLIGHT OUTAGE
SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE
Scion Scion
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB BREAKS OFF
Ford Excursion
FINGER PINCH POINT
Nissan Nissan
MOTORCYCLE TAG BRACKET SEPARATION
LOOSE AXLE HARDWARE
SRS READINESS INDICATOR ILLUMINATION
ENGINE STALLING
Volkswagen Volkswagen
EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTION
ALLEGED PREMATURE TIE ROD FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Toyota Toyota
THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Volvo Volvo
FRONT TIRE FAILURES
FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
Honda Honda
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FAILURE
STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE
Mercury Mountaineer
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
Ford Mustang Cobra
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Plymouth Plymouth
ELECTRICAL FIRE
KIA Sedona EX
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
Land Rover Discovery
FUEL LEAKS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE
Ford Ford
FUEL LEAK
Suzuki Suzuki
SEATBELT MALFUNCTION
WHEELS CRACKING AND BREAKING
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
ENGINE STALLING
SCHOOL BUS STALLS
ENGINE STALL
Dodge RAM 1500
CRACKED OR BROKEN WHEELS
WHEELS CRACKING AND BREAKING
TRAILER TONGUE BENDING/CRACKING
CRACKED OR BROKEN WHEELS
CRACKED OR BROKEN WHEELS
SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE
UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
FINGER PINCH POINT
Nissan Nissan
SEAT BRACKET FAILURE
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ALTERNATOR FAILURE / ENGINE STALLING
Nissan Nissan
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Ford Ford
POTENTIAL MOVEMENT OF WASHER/DRYER
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.