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.
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION
DIGITALLY CONTROLLED VEHICLE OPERATIONAL
STRUCTURAL FAILURES OF BODY AND CHASSIS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
ENGINE SEIZURE
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG
INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR WATER
BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
POWER STEERING HOSE
BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET
SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY
HEADLAMPS DIM/FLICKER
REAR SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION
TIRE VALVE STEM
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
DISPROPORTIONATE FRONT AXLE LOADING
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
ALLOY WHEEL DENTING AND FRACTURING
INOPERATIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM
ENGINE STALLING
STEERING AXLE U-BOLT
STEERING GEARBOX OR U-JOINT
SLEEPER BERTH FIRES
STRUCTURE
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
STEERING RACK AND PINION
FRONT WHEEL BEARING
MOTORCYCLE SEAT SUPPORT
ROLL-AWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKED
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ELEDTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
FRAME BENDING
SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT ELECTRICAL FIRES
UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT
STEERING COLUMN
LOSS OF STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION
ALTERNATOR CABLE
BATTERY CABLE SHORTH CIRCUIT
WIRING HARNESS
WINDSHIELD WIPER
DRUM DRIVE PEDESTAL LOCKING BOLTS
THROTTLE PEDAL FAILS TO RETURN
MULTIPLE DEFECTS
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.