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.
VEHICLE ROLLOVER
TIRE VALVE
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTING
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRES
HOOD LATCH
FUEL PUMP/STALLING
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM
ENGINE SEIZURE
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
RETENTION NUT LOOSENING AND SEPARATION
DS-2000 STEERING SYSTEM
SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES
Nissan Pathfinder
ENGINE STALLING
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
FUEL TANK SYSTEM
CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET/FIREWALL
HANDLEBAR LOOSENING
REAR SEAT BELT ROUTING
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
BRAKE SLACK ADJUSTER
PINCHER/CHAFED WIRING
ALTERNATOR FIRES
BRAKE/ACCEL PEDAL SEPARATION
WHEEL RETENTION STUDS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
INFANT CAR SEAT BASE CRACKS/BREAKS
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST/BRAKING/STEERING
SCHOOL BUS THROTTLE CABLE
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING
BATTERY CABLE
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FALSE LATCHING OF CHILD SEAT TO BASE
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION
INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION
FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE LEAKAGE
LEXUS LINK COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Lexus Lexus
FAN DRIVE UPDATE
AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT FRONTAL CRASH
KIA KIA
THROTTLE STICKING
AIR BAG BURN INJURIES/VEHICLE FIRES
HORSE TRAILER SAFETY CABLES
ELECTRICAL VAULT ACCESS PANEL
SEAT BELT BUCKLE STALK
SHOULDER HARNESS CLIP
OVERSENSITIVE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
REAR WHEEL BEARING
MOTORCYCLE REAR BRAKE LINE PINCHING
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.