PlainCars

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 PEEARQ
PE93035 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-08

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
PE93024 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93034 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93032 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
PE93031 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93029 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93028 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93027 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93026 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93023 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93033 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93030 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93025 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-06

HANDRAILS
PE93022 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-05

STEERING SYSTEM LOCKUP
PE93021 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-01

BACKLITE SHATTERING
PE93020 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-04-01

BACKLITE SHATTERING
PE93019 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-31

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
PE93018 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-29

STEER BOX PITMAN SHAFT FLS
PE93017 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-16

REAR LIFTGATE LATCH
PE93015 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-09

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
PE93016 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-09

WINDSHIELD WIPER MTR FAILS
PE93014 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-08

THROTTLE LINKAGE INTERFER
PE93013 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-05

FUEL LEAKS
PE93012 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-05

TIRE FAILURES
PE93011 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-03

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
PE93010 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-03-02

IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
PE93009 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-26

FUEL FILTER FIRES
PE93008 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-25

HANDRAILS SNAG
PE93007 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-10

FUEL LINE FAILURE
PE93006 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-09

HANDRAIL SNAGS
PE93004 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-05

SEATBACK FAILURE
PE93005 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-05

GAS TANK LEAKS
PE93003 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-05

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAIL
PE93002 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-02-04

HANDRAIL SNAGS
PE93001 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1993-01-11

SEVERE PULLING WHILE BRKNG
PE92090 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-12-22

THROTTLE STICKING/BINDING
PE92089 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-12-17

DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
PE92088 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-12-04

UNDER DASH FIRES
PE92087 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-12-02

SEAT BLT LOCKS-STOW POSIT.
PE92086 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-11-25

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
PE92085 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-10-26

HOOD FLY-UP
PE92084 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-10-23

FRONT SEAT TRACK FAILURE
PE92083 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-10-14

STEERING GEARBOX BLT FAILS
PE92082 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-10-06

INADVER. STEERING LOCKUP
PE92081 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-10-05

FRONT WHL BEARING FAILURE
PE92080 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-10-05

BRAKE PERFORMANCE
PE92079 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-09-09

R SEAT BELT WEBBING LENGTH
PE92078 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-09-09

AUTO TRANS.PRNDL MISALIGN
PE92076 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-09-09

SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
PE92077 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1992-09-09

FUEL EXPULSION

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.