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.
TIE ROD END FAILURES
REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM/BOLT
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRES
UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRES
UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRES
UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE AND FIRES
THROTTLE HANG-UP
CO INTRUSION
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE
ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE
UNDERHOOD FIRES
MISMATCHED BRAKE ACTUATION CHAMBERS
FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY FIRES
INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR
SEAT BACK FAILURES
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
ERRATIC TURN SIGNAL OPERATION
HEATER CORE RUPTURE
UNDERHOOD FIRES
UNDERHOOD FIRES
HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT FAILURE
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
CONVERTIBLE TOP OPENING WHILE DRIVING
AIR BAG CIRCUIT/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
MISSING/LOOSE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ANCHOR
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Volvo Volvo
UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUT DOWN
CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
UNDERHOOD FIRES
REAR SPRING FRACTURE
STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN LOCKUP
FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE
IGNITION INTERLOCK FAILURE
WHEEL SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
ELECTRICAL FIRE
INADVERTENT FRONT ENTRY DOOR OPENINGS
MISSING SIDE-WINDOW STOPS
CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT
WINDSHIELD WIPER
DRIVERS SEAT FAILURE
MISSING J-HOOK BODY RETENTION HOOKS
INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE
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.