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.
JACK STAND FAILURE
ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
UNSTABLE HIGH ENGINE IDLE
REAR SUSPENSION SEPARATION
THROTTLE LINKAGE INTERFER
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
SEAT BELTS TOO SHORT
TRUNK LID FAILURE
LATCHES FAIL TO HOLD DOOR
STEPWELL CORROSION
FUEL TANK BAFFLE/STALLS
TRANSIT BUS FIRES
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.
Ford Ford Truck
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SUSPENSION EQUALIZER FAILS
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
SPRG SHACKLE BOLT FRACTURE
FUEL EXPULSION
BRAKE CHAMBER SEPARATION
IMPROPER RESTRAINT
IMPROPER RESTRAINT
BRAKE CHAMBER SEPARATION
GAS TANK LEAKS
LPG TANK SEPARATION
LIFTGATE FAILURE
BATTERY BOX FAILURE
LOSS OF WARNING LIGHTS
STEERING LOCKUP
FUEL INJECT. CONTROL FAILS
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE
FRONT BRAKE STEERING PULL
FRONT BRAKE HOSE CHAFING
BUCKLE BREAKAGE
FAILURE OF SUPPLIED JACK
ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD
FUEL TANK CORROSION
INJECTOR O-RING LEAKS
FUEL TANK SEPARATION
TILT STRG COLUMN LOOSENS
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE LOCKING
FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE
LOW VOLTAGE LIGHT FIXTURE
STEERING BOOST CYLINDER
LOSS OF TRAILER STABILITY
ELECTRIC LIGHT FIRES
LWR BALL JOINT FAILS
SEAT ANCHORAGE FAILURE
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.