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.
EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE
SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME
ALLEGED FAILURE OF STEERING PITMAN SHAFT
BINDING THROTTLE HAND CONTROLS
ROLLOVER ON SUZUKI SAMURAI CONVERTIBLES
SUZUKI SAMURAI
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
HEADLIGHTS FAILURE
BATTERY CABLE SHORT
CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF
CHILD SAFETY SEAT BASE SEPARATION
WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
FORD FORD
FAILURE OF AUTO TRANS PARK LOCK SYSTEM
MERCURY MERCURY
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURES
TRASH TRUCK PACKER FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
TRANSIT BUS FIRES
BATTERY EXPLOSION
MERCURY VILLAGER
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
FORD TOPAZ
GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERING
MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI
STEER RCK +PINION MNT FAIL
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
BRUSH/GRILLE GUARD CAMPAIGN
FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP
GAS TANK GUARD
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE
PASSENGER SIDE DASH FIRES
UNINTENDED WHEEL CHAIR RESTRAINT DISCONN
HANDRAILS
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE
VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION
AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT SEPARATION
HONDA HONDA
REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE
REAR SEAT BELT FAILURE
SEAT TRACK
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
FUEL LEAKEAGE FROM ROLLOVER VALVE
CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE WHEELS
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
BLOWER AREA FIRES
UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKS
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE
DYSFUNCTIONAL TURN SIGNAL ASSY.
WATER IN DEFROSTER SYSTEM
DASH TRIM SEPARATION
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE DETACHMENT
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE FLOOR PAN
REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE CHILD SEATS
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF SHIFTER
DODGE DAKOTA
SEAT TRACKS
SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER
FORD FORD
FRONT BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE
FT SEAT LATCH MECHANISM FAILURE
STEERING COLUMN LOOSENING
HOOD FLY UP
SEAT BACK BOLT FAILURE
ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION
PRNDL MISALIGNMENT
PASSENGER AIR BAG DETACHMENT
DASH TRIM PIECE SEPARATION
PLASTIC TRIM PANEL SEPARATION
WINDOW SHADE INGESTION
SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE
INADVERTENT RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT
FIRES
UNDERCARRIAGE FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE
SEAT BACK FAILURE
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
INFANT EJECTION FROM SEAT
WARNING LABEL ON GEAR SHIFT
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE AUTO HEATER
HANDLEBAR LOWER CLAMP FRACTURING
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES
FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS LEAKAGE
REAR SEAT ANCHORAGES
SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION
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.