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.
POST-CRASH FUEL TANK LEAK
Hyundai Hyundai
FALSE PARK
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT BREAKAGE
Toyota Toyota
HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE CHAFFING
DIESEL EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
Freightliner Freightliner
WHEEL SEPARATION
GLASS ROOF SHATTERING
Nissan Maxima
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILURE
ENGINE STALLING
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS
Volkswagen Volkswagen
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE
KIA KIA
ENGINE STALL
SAAB SAAB
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
INCORRECT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER
International International
FUEL LEAKAGE
International International
POWER-SLIDING DOOR OPENING
Nissan Nissan
TURBOCHARGER FAILURE RESULTS IN FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT SEPARATION FROM THE BASE IN A CRASH
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
Audi Audi
POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENING
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
Toyota Toyota
REMEDY FAILURES OF RECALL 98V-184
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
FAILING HEADLIGHTS
Nissan Nissan
DRIVER SEAT PEDESTALS
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
Ford Ford
OIL FILTER FIRES
Honda Honda
TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
POWER STEERING STUD FAILURE
International International
OVERHEATING OF SEAT HEATERS
WHEEL SEPARATION
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
STEERING BINDING
RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT FAILURE
FUEL RAIL LEAKS
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
REFUELING SPIT BACK
DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT
BMW 3-Series
HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILURES
FRAME CRACKING
DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
ALLEGED BRAKE DRAG
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Ford E-450
REAR AXLE FRACTURE
Lincoln Lincoln
FRAME CRACKS AND FRACTURES
SUDDEN REAR SUSPENSION MISALIGNMENT
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.