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.
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
WINDSHIELD WIPER
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
STEERING LOSS
Freightliner Freightliner
FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE
TRACTION CONTROL
INADVERTENT OF SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG
HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING AND BRAKING
VEHICLE FIRES
DUCATI REAR AXLE SPINDLE
DOOR PANEL/GARNISH SEPARATION
LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCURED
ACCELERATOR CABLE DETACHES FROM THROTTLE
FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN 36
OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING
STEERING COLUMN FIRE
INADVERTENT ENGINE STALLING
TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD
FRONT CENTER LAP BELT ANCHORAGE
INAPPROPRIATE VENTING CNG TRANSIT BUS
FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE CRACKING
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED
INADVERTENT UNLATCHING OF CHILD SEAT
INCORRECT SPECIFICATION OF TIRE PRESSURE
DISPROPORTIONATE AXLE WEIGHT
FIRES IN BUSES FUELED BY CNG
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
CNG SHUTOFF VALVE AND FUEL REGULATOR
REFUELING SPIT BACK
KIA Sephia
STEERING WHEEL/SHAFT SPLINE ATTACHMENT
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
12 VOLT/24 VOLT BATTERY EQUALIZER ON BUS
BATTERY LEAKS ACID
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
Ford Explorer
BOAT TRAILER DISC BRAKE LOCKUP
AIRBAG SYSTEM'S LIGHT DYSFUNCTIONAL
STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER
STOP LAMP
OVERSENSITIVE STEERING
STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE
DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGE
Ford CAB Chassis
FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL INJECTORS
ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
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.