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.
FRONT BRAKE AIR HOSE LEAKS
Freightliner Freightliner
POWER CABLE GROUNDING
CNG TANK EXPLOSION
Ford Ford
FUEL HOSE LEAKS
FUEL TANK LEAKS
Volvo Volvo
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH
Mercury Mercury
BALL JOINT SEPARATION
ENGINE STALL
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Oldsmobile Silhouette
REAR AXLE FAILURE
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
VELVET RIDE SUSPENSION
2002 TRAILBLAZER/ENVOY FUEL TANK LEAKS
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
Volvo Volvo
ABS CORROSION EXTENDS STOPPING DIST
Freightliner Freightliner
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
Mack Mack
OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
International International
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
International International
FRONT AXLE BEARING FAILURE
Peterbilt Peterbilt
ENGINE COMPARTMENT INSULATION SAGGING
TIRE FAILURE
BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Chrysler Chrysler
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
Freightliner Freightliner
WELD IN TRAILER FLOOR FRAME (OMITTED)
LUG BOLT FAILURE AT WHEELS
WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
Ford Windstar
SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OPERATION
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
REAR VIEW MIRROR STEM FAILURES
SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE
2000/2001 SUZUKI GSXR-750 TRANSMISSION
Suzuki Suzuki
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Ford Taurus
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Nissan Altima
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
Jeep Grand Cherokee
MOTORCYCLE COOLANT SPRAY ONTO REAR TIRE
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR DROPS ABRUPTLY
MOTORCYCLE WHEEL CATASTROPHIC FAILURES
INFANT CAR SEAT SEPARATION FROM BASE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT FRAME BRACKET FAILURE
Honda Accord
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
ALLEGED BRAKE HOSE FAILURES
Ford Ford
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.