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.

4,173

Total

93

Open

2329

Preliminary

871

Engineering

210

Recall Queries

Status: All Open

Type: All PE EA RQ

RQ04012 Recall Query Closed

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE(S) BREAK

RQ04011 Recall Query Closed

FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Ford Ford

RQ04010 Recall Query Closed

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE

RQ04009 Recall Query Closed

FRAME CROSSMEMEBER WELD FAILURES

Honda Gl1800

RQ04008 Recall Query Closed

CHILD RESTRAINT HARNESS LOOSENING

RQ04007 Recall Query Closed

FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

Ford Ford

RQ04006 Recall Query Closed

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Oldsmobile Oldsmobile

RQ04005 Recall Query Closed

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

RQ04004 Recall Query Closed

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

Volvo Volvo

RQ04003 Recall Query Closed

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE

Ford Windstar

RQ04002 Recall Query Closed

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

RQ04001 Recall Query Closed

DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE

RQ03010 Recall Query Closed

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

Volkswagen Volkswagen

RQ03009 Recall Query Closed

WHEEL SEPARATIONS

RQ03008 Recall Query Closed

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

Ford Taurus

RQ03007 Recall Query Closed

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

KIA Sportage

RQ03006 Recall Query Closed

REFUELING SPIT BACK

KIA Sephia

RQ03005 Recall Query Closed

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

RQ03004 Recall Query Closed

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

Ford Ford

RQ03003 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

RQ03002 Recall Query Closed

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

RQ03001 Recall Query Closed

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

Oldsmobile Silhouette

RQ02013 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL

RQ02012 Recall Query Closed

FRONT CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS

RQ02011 Recall Query Closed

FUEL TANK FATIGUE CRACKING

RQ02010 Recall Query Closed

FUEL FILTER QUICK CONNECT FITTING

RQ02009 Recall Query Closed

SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES

Nissan Pathfinder

RQ02008 Recall Query Closed

BRAKE SLACK ADJUSTER

RQ02007 Recall Query Closed

LOSS OF POWER ASSIST/BRAKING/STEERING

RQ02006 Recall Query Closed

INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION

RQ02005 Recall Query Closed

HORSE TRAILER SAFETY CABLES

RQ02004 Recall Query Closed

OVERSENSITIVE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

RQ02003 Recall Query Closed

DIGITALLY CONTROLLED VEHICLE OPERATIONAL

RQ02002 Recall Query Closed

TIRE VALVE STEM

RQ02001 Recall Query Closed

DISPROPORTIONATE FRONT AXLE LOADING

RQ01002 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

RQ01001 Recall Query Closed

GASOLINE VAPOR INTRUSION

RQ00018 Recall Query Closed

UNEXPECTED CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING

RQ00019 Recall Query Closed

LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL

RQ00017 Recall Query Closed

FUEL TANK CRACKING

RQ00016 Recall Query Closed

DIFFICULT CHILD SAFETY SEATS BUCKLE OPEN

RQ00015 Recall Query Closed

LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT

RQ00014 Recall Query Closed

UPEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR

RQ00013 Recall Query Closed

INADVERTENT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMEN

RQ00012 Recall Query Closed

HOOD LATCH

RQ00011 Recall Query Closed

STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION

RQ00009 Recall Query Closed

IGNITION SWITCH

RQ00010 Recall Query Closed

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Ford F-350 Super Duty

RQ00008 Recall Query Closed

DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK

RQ00007 Recall Query Closed

FIFTH WHEEL UNCOUPLING

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.

Compiled by PlainCars