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.
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
TRAILER BODY CAN CONTACT TIRES
BRAKES FAIL TO RELEASE, BUS JACK-KNIFES"
HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Subaru Subaru
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
FUEL SPILLAGE DURING REFUELING
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
ENGINE STALL
SAAB SAAB
AMBULANCE ALTERNATOR FAILURES
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
Volkswagen Volkswagen
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE
Mercedes-Benz
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
UNDER-RATED ELECTRICAL FUSE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
BMW BMW
DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE
Audi Audi
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
FUEL LINE FITTING LEAKS
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES
Subaru Subaru
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATS/BURNS
STRICK WHEEL-END FAILURES
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
ROOF SEPARATION
BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
Ford Taurus
TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE
OVERHEATED EXHAUST COMPONENTS
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
KIA Sportage
UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION
FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT SEAL LEAK
LATERAL CROSSMEMBERS CRACKING
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
LATCH CONNECTOR FAILURE
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR FAILURE (ETC)
THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE
SEAT BACK FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Pontiac Grand Prix
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Honda Honda
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Honda Honda
FIFTH WHEEL KINPIN BOX FAILURE
AXLE FAILURE WITH WHEEL SEPARATION
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE
KIA KIA
UNLATCHING OF THE CARRY HANDLE
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
REFUELING SPIT BACK
KIA Sephia
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FAILURE
UNINTENDED REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
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.