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.
TRAILING ARM CORROSION
BRAKE HOSES BALLOONING
WELDING CRACKS
FR SEAT FLOOR MOUNT FAILS
INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM'S
ALUMINUM WHEEL FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
BRAKE CHAMBER FAILURE
JACK STAND FAILURE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR FAIL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
UNDER DASH FIRE
LOSS OF POWER BRAKE
FLOORBOARD FRACTURE
ENGINE FIRES
STEERING COUPLING BOLT
FAILED ANTILOCK BRAKES
TIE ROD SOCKET FAILURE
TRUCK FRAME BREAKAGE
SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
WRONG CERTIFICATION LABEL
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN
POWER STEERING FAILURE
TREAD SEPARATION, BLOWOUTS
IMPROPER SPEED CONTROL
FIRE IN HEATER/AC PLENUM
FUEL LEAK, EVAPORATIVE VNT
PLASTIC PUSH-PIN FASTENER
FAILED SPEED CONTROL
FUEL TANK CORROSION
SPEED CONTROL FAILURE
LPG FURNACE EXPLOSION
LPG FURNACE EXPLOSION
VIBRATION DAMPER SEPARATE
DRIVELINE LOCKUP
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE
SAFETY BELT CUT BY D-RINGS
FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION
STEERING LOSS
STEERING LOSS
CARRYING HANDLE FAILURE
WELD FAILURE IN STRUCTURE
WELD FAILURE IN STRUCTURE
FUEL TANK 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.