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.
UNEXPECTED OPENING OF SLIDING DOOR
PROPANE VEHICLE CONVERSION
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMEN
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START
REAR SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEMENT
TURN SIGHAL
OMITTED QUICK RELEASE VALVE (PARK BRAKE)
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST; STEERING & BRAKING
WIRING HARNESS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED
INSUFFICIENT CARBURETOR-MANIFOLD CLEARAN
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
INCORRECTLY MOLDED MASTER FLOAT CHAMBER
INADVERTENT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMEN
12 VOLT/24 VOLT BATTERY EQUALIZERS
DOOR HINGE
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK LEAK
UNEXPECTED OPENING ON SLIDING DOOR
PULLS UNDER HARD BRAKING
HOOD LATCH
BATTERY LEAKS ACID
ELECTRICAL WIRE CHAFING
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
CARRY HANDLE INTEGRITY
AIR BAG MODULE DETACHMENT
Jeep Jeep
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
HEADLIGHT
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
DEGRADED BRAKING WET WEATHER CONDITION
AD-SP AIR DRYER CARTRIDGES
STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT
HELMET STRAP ATTACHMENT
IGNITION SWITCH
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
Ford F-350 Super Duty
DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
INFANT CHILD SEAT BUCKLE RELEASE
FIFTH WHEEL UNCOUPLING
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
INADVERTENT RECLINING POWER BENCH SEAT
FUEL LINE LEAKS
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.