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.
PARKING BRAKE RESULTING IN ROLLAWAY
DRIVER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION
Pontiac Grand Prix
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
REAR WHEEL DRIVE HUB FRACTURE
LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
ENGINE STALLING
BRAKE LOSS
4 REINFORCEMENT CORNERS ON TAG AXLE
TIRE
STEERING SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE
IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR
AIR BAG TEAR DURING DEPLOYMENT
SEAT BELT WEBBING
Ford Explorer
AD-DP/AD-IS AIR DRYER CARTRIDGES
POOR HANDLING
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FRAME MOUNTING
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
REAR DRIVE AXLE/SUSPENSION U-BOLT
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
FRONT SEAT BELT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
UNEXPECTED CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL
HEADLIGHT
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
CONTINENTAL 16 INCH CONTI TRAC AS TIRES
Lincoln Continental
FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINK
FUEL TANK CRACKING
WHEEL STUD AND NUT
Ford Expedition
PARKING BRAKE
CROSS-MEMBER WELDS CRACK
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
STOP LAMP SWITCH
OVERHEATING OF FRONT SEAT HEATERS
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
ALL
TURN SIGNAL
SEAT BACK RECLINER FAILURE
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
DIFFICULT CHILD SAFETY SEATS BUCKLE OPEN
FLEX FAN BREAKAGE
LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
UPEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
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.