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.
PASSENGER AIR BAG-RELATED FACIAL/EYE INJ
Nissan Altima
TURN SIGNAL
BATTERY EXPLOSION
EMERGENCY EXIT
AMERI 550AS 1995-2001 P235/70R16
SEAT BACK
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
FRONT STABILIZER LINK
INADVERTENT ROLLAWAY IN REVERSE PARK
FRACTURES OF MAIN FRAME
UNDERCARRIAGE PAN/COVER DETACHMENT
AIR BAG INFLATOR
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE
TRAILER AXLE CRACKING
EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION LABEL
WIPER ARM
FRONT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Lincoln Continental
TILT-CAB RETENTION LATCH
DRIVER'S CAB DOOR TO DOOR FRAME CLEARANC
AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT
U-BOLT FAILURES ON DRIVE -AXLE ASSEMBLIE
TIRE PRESURE CONTROL SYSTEM HOSE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
BRAKE SHOE SLACK ADJUSTER
REAR COT ATTACHMENT
SAFETY DEFECT
ALL WHEEL STEERING MALFUNCTION
PASSENGER AIR BAG-RELATED EYE INJURIES
BRAKE ANCHOE PLATE
JIFFY STAND LEG
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE
DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION
FIRE BY THE REAR AUXILIARY HEAT
DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATION
SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
Ford Super Duty
FRONT SHOULDER BELT WEBBING GUIDE
ABS
SEAT BELT WEBBING
Ford Explorer
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
GASOLINE VAPOR INTRUSION
VEHICLE EXPLOSION
REAR FRAME CRACKS
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
DOOR HINGE
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
PULLS UNDER HARD BRAKING
PARKING BRAKE
Ford F-350 Super Duty
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.