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.
R/HTCHBCK HYDR.CYLIN.FAILS
SEAT BACK FAILURES
INCONSIS.BRK LGT OPERATION
FLUORESCENT TUBE BREAKAGE
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE
R/BUMPER,SPARE TIRE DETACH
STICKING THROTTLE
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
CRANKSHAFT BOLT TORQUE CHANGE
WHEEL FAILURE
STRUC.FAIL.OF COOLANT TANK
IMPROPER AXLE INSTALLATION
TRANS FLUID LEAK/FIRES
DETACHED TIE ROD END
FUEL TANK/EXHAUST INTERFER
ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
DRIVER SEAT BACK FAILURE
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
INCONSIST.BRK PERFORMANCE
OIL CONTAM.IN AIR BRK SYST
IMPROP.WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
THROTTLE STICKING
DRAG LINK FRACTURE
DYNAMIC INSTABILITY
FUEL LINE CONNECTOR FAILS
GM P30 CHASS.ROAD WHL FAIL
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
FUEL LEAKAGE
SCHOOL BUS FIRES
GAS TANK LEAKAGE
HINGE PIN FAILURE
BRAKE LINE ABRASION
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
EXHAUST LEAK/FIRES
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
PLATFORM FAILURE
COOLANT FIRES
HIGH IDLE FLARE
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
INCONSIST.BRK LIGHT OPER.
STEERING WHEEL DETACHMENT
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
HEATER CORE FAILURE
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
STEERING LOCK-UPS
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
SAFETY BELT TENSION ADJUSTERS
PROPANE TANK SEPARATION
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
REAR AXLE FAILURE
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
STEERING LOCK UP
TRAILER WHEEL FAILURES
REAR DOOR FAILURE
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FAIL
PROPANE TANK SEPARATION
IMPROPER AXLE INSTALLATION
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
TRANS FLUID LEAK/FIRES
STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
AUTO DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
TRAILER JACK FAILURE
BRAKE SYSTEM FIRES
AIR BRAKES FAILURE
COLLAPSED A FRAME
REAR BUMPER COVER FIRES
HOOD LATCH FAILURES
BRAKE CAMSHAFT FAILURE
VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILS
W-CAR HINGE PIN FAILURE
HITCH HEAD FRACTURES
1991 CENTURY SAFETY SEATS
THROTTLE STICKING
INCONSISTENT BRAKE PERFORM
OIL CONTAMINATION,AIR BRKS
TRANSMISSION LOCK-UP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH
AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL LUG STUDS
PARK PAWL BENDING
EXHAUST LEAK FIRES
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.