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 HATCH LATCH FAILURE
WHEEL FAILURES
STALLING
STALLING
FLAMMABLE A/C REFRIGERANT
SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
CHILD SEAT PWR ADJ FAILS
AUTO RESTRAINT SYST. FAILS
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
ALLEGED BATTERY FAILURES
WHEEL RIM FAILURES
BRAKE DRAG/EFFECTIVENESS
CHILD SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
THROTTLE NOT RETURNING
FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
AXLE ATTACHMENT FAILURE
UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS
SLIDE OUT MECHANISM
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURES
INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
PROPSHAFT TUBE FAILURE
PASS.RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
4WHL STEERING SENSOR FAILS
FUEL LINE ROUTING
BROKEN TIE RODS
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
MELTED THROTTLE CABLES
TAG AXLE BEARING FAILURES
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE
ELECTRICAL FIRE
IMPROPER WGHT DISTRIBUTION
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
THROTTLE CABLE DISCONNECTS
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM
DOOR LATCH SYSTEMS
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
STEERING GEAR BOLT BROKEN
UNDER BODY FUEL LEAKS
OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION
PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURE
SEMI-TRAILER KING PIN FAIL
SEMI-TRAILER KING PIN FAIL
FUEL LINE SEPARATION
ROLL-OVER/VENT VALVE LEAK
INCONSIST.BRK PERFORMANCE
AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
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.