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.
Tire sidewall separation
FUEL LINE LEAK
Air Brake System
AIR BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROL VALVES
Horton Fan Hub Failures
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
Subaru Subaru
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Toyota Sequoia
Non-deployment of Side Thorax Air Bags
Nissan Nissan
Turn Signal Lamps
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
Drag Link Failure
Volvo Volvo
Electronic Stability Control
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Ignition Shift Interlock
Honda Element
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
MOTORCYCLE STALLING - ELECTRICAL
REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE
Hyundai Santa FE
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
Toyota Toyota
TIRE VALVE OZONE CRACKING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Ford Ford
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
MINI Cooper S
PINTLE HOOK PIN FRACTURES
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
KIA KIA
FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION
Hyundai Hyundai
Unexpected Closing of Power Liftgate
Honda Odyssey
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
Toyota Toyota
RICON "S" & "K" 5500 WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Hyundai Hyundai
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
BRAKE LINE CHAFE
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Chrysler Chrysler
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Chrysler Chrysler
STUCK THROTTLE VALVE
SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS
SEVAS S-10 AFTERMARKET WHEEL RIMS
International International
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
BMW 3-Series
POWER SLIDING DOOR
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Cadillac Cadillac
FUEL PUMP FAILURE - STALL
OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPER
ENGINE STALLING - FUEL PUMP FAILURE
PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
MINI Cooper
FRONT DIFF. / PROPELLER SHAFT FAILURE
Land Rover Range Rover
UNWANTED ACCELERATION, FLOOR MAT
Toyota Toyota
FUEL PUMP MODULE LEAKS GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Pontiac Grand Prix
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.