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.
UNPROTECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTER CABLE CHANGE
UNSECURED RADIUS ROD LOCKING PLATES
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKAGE
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Ford Ford
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Excursion
INTERMITTENT STOP SIGNAL ARM
INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS
Saturn Saturn
SEATBELT MALFUNCTION
HEADLIGHTS FAILURE
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE
Toyota Toyota
INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS
Saturn Saturn
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
ELECTRIC SEAT WARMER OVERHEATS/BURNS
SUDDEN, UNFORESEEN TRANSMISSION LOCKU
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Honda Prelude
TIRE VALVE FAILURE
COUNTRY COACH CAMPAIGN 01V-170
HARNESS ADJUSTER MALFUNCTION
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
Saturn Saturn
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
STEERING KNUCKLE FRACTURE
Hummer H2
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
Volkswagen Volkswagen
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
Chrysler Chrysler
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAK
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE
Lincoln Navigator
ALTERNATOR FAILURE/ ENGINE STALLING
Nissan Nissan
INADVERTENT FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
IGNITION RELAY FAILURE
Pontiac Pontiac
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
HYDRAULIC FAN FITTINGS LEAKING
DISABLED VEHICLE
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Ford Ford
LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP ILLUMINATION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
DETERIORATING EXHAUST THERMAL BLANKET
FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSIS
Dodge Intrepid
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Honda Accord
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Ford
UNPROTECTED LP GAS LINE
RETRACTABLE PLATFORM STEP LADDER
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING
KIA KIA
TIRE VALVE FAILURE
International International
REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE
KIA Spectra
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.