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.
FUEL SUPPLY LINE LEAK
FUEL PUMP CAMPAIGN
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
REAR SPROCKET BOLTS
FUEL LINE LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
STEERING COLUMN FIRE
STEERING WHEEL DETACHMENT
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
Suzuki Hayabusa
HEADLIGHT WIRE BREAKAGE
Mazda Protege
INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAG
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
REFUELING SPIT BACK
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
MOTORCYCLE HANDLEBAR FRACTURING
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
BMW 328i
FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
REFUELING SPIT BACK
FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATE CRACKING
MOTORCYCLE INSTABILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Pontiac Pontiac
MOTORCYCLE FUEL LEAK
Suzuki Intruder
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
Ford Ford
FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Mercury Mercury
VEHICLE STEERING
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE
Ford Explorer
FRONT SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE DISENGAGEM
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION
UNSECURED PASSENGER SEAT
J71 AUTO-PARK INCONSISTEN OPERATION
FUEL TANK CRACKS
FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE
BLOW BACK DURING REFUELING
REAR SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIES
Hyundai Hyundai
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS
SPARE TIRE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE
INTERMITTENT STALLING
KIA KIA
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON
KIA KIA
IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE EMER BRAKE
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE
Mercury Villager
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.