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.
CHASSIS SPRING SHACKLES
ALLEGED FAILURE LOWER RADIUS ROD BRACKER
HARNESS LATCH/BUCKLE PROBLEMS
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
ALLEGED FRAME FRACTURES
FAILURE TRANSMISSION PARK ENGAGEMENT/LOC
Ford F-150
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Toyota Toyota
AIR BAG EXHAUST FIRE
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
AIR BAG EXHAUST FIRE
AIR BAG EXHAUST FIRE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
Ford Ford
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN CENTER CONSOLE
LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ALLEGED FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
UNDERCARRIAGE FIRES
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION/DISENGAGEMENT
LEAKING FUEL TANK
REAR AXLE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Hyundai Elantra
LOSS OF CHASSIS ELECTRICAL POWER
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Subaru Impreza
SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTER
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
MISMATCHED BRAKE CHAMBERS
TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES
Chrysler Chrysler
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE
Ford Ford
ALLEGED ENGINE SUBFRAME MOUNT/INSULATOR
HARNESS RELEASE BUTTON BREAKS
CARRYING HANDLE COMES UNLATCHED
TAB FOR SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT BREAKS OFF
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
DOOR OPEN WHILE DRIVING
ALLEGED FAILURE CHILDSEAT CARRIER HANDLE
ALLEGED POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURES
WHEEL FAILURE
UNDERSEAT VEHICLE FIRES
FUEL LIQUID-VAPOR SEPARATOR FAILURE
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
Dodge Dodge
CNG FUEL TANK EXPLOSION
SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSION
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANK
CRACKED FUEL TANKS
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.