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.
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
Honda Honda
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
U-BOLT/FRAME INTERFERENCE
DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD FIRE
Audi Audi
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
Ford Crown Victoria
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER (CCT)
Suzuki Suzuki
PASSENGER DOOR INTERLOCK MALFUNCTION
UNINTENDED ENGINE SPEED INCREASE/SA
Lexus Lexus
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
FRONT SUSP. UPPER BALL JOINT FAILURE
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Mazda Mazda
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE
Nissan Nissan
ABS ECU AND TRAILER BRAKE MODULATOR
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
Subaru Subaru
ALTERNATOR FAILURES
FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STRICK SEMI TRAILER HUB FAILURES
STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE
FUEL TANK LEAKS
STEERING ARM SEPARATION
International International
HEADLIGHT SEPARATES
STEERING SHAFT BOLT BINDS ON COVER
International International
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
UNINTENDED SIDE STAND DEPLOYMENT
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT
Mercury Mountaineer
STEERING WHEEL HEATER OVERHEATS
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
Dodge Dodge
ENGINE STALL
AXLE BREAKAGE
REAR SUSPENSION SEPARATION/FAILURE
International International
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Honda Honda
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Honda Honda
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE SEPARATION
Volkswagen Volkswagen
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
KIA KIA
WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE
OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
IMPROPER FRONTAL AIR BAG PERFORMANCE
Hyundai Hyundai
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Lincoln Lincoln
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
Ford Ford
THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
Ford Crown Victoria
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
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.