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.
FAILURES DIGITALLY CONTROLLED STEERING
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
STEERING COLUMN FAILURE/SEPARATION
INFLATABLE CHILD SAFETY SEAT FAILURE
ALLEGED FAILURE OF REAR LEAF SPRINGS
ALLEGED FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Chrysler Chrysler
ELECTRIC RELAY CAUSING VEHICLE FIRES
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOPPING
Ford Ford
VEHICLE ELECTRICAL FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD SUPPORT FAILURES
CRACKING/FRACTURE OF CHASSIS FRAME RAILS
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
STERRING WHEEL BREAKAGE
THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE POSITION
ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
ALLEGED STEERING GEARBOX BRACKET FAILURE
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
Ford Taurus
CENTURY PRODUCTS CAR SEAT PLASTIC FRAME
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
Ford Ford
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
STEERING GEAR SECTOR SHAFT ARM (PITMAN A
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH MALFUNCTION
MAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE
Mazda Mazda
ALTERNATOR FIRES
Ford Ford
EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE
SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME
ALLEGED FAILURE OF STEERING PITMAN SHAFT
BINDING THROTTLE HAND CONTROLS
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
HEADLIGHTS FAILURE
BATTERY CABLE SHORT
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
FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE
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.