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.
Certification
Pedestrian alert sounds
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
Ford Explorer
Complete Loss of High Beams
KIA Telluride
Semi-Trailer Rear Impact Guard
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
Automated Driving System (ADS)
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
Jeep Compass
Windshield Wiper Failure
Hyundai Palisade
Loss of Brake Performance
Chrysler Chrysler
Rear Differential Seizure
Honda Honda
C300 Wrist-pin allegation
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
Loss of Motive Power
Hyundai Hyundai
Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture
Hyundai Hyundai
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
Lincoln Lincoln
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
Jeep Jeep
Rear-View Camera Failure
Cadillac Cadillac
Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure
Chrysler Chrysler
Loss of motive power due to valve intake failure on Ford Bronco vehicles.
Ford Bronco
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power
Chrysler Pacifica Plug-IN Hybrid
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Healey Brothers Ford / Open Recall Sale
Ford Ford
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Honda Honda
Loss of Motive Power
Ford Bronco
Recall 22E-016
Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure
KIA Carnival
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
Audi Audi
LGES High Voltage Battery Failures
Volkswagen Volkswagen
NHTSA SGO 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Honda Accord
Unexpected Brake Activation
Tesla Model 3
Rear-View Camera Failure
Honda Ridgeline
SAE J1939 Data Bus Vulnerability
Engine Fires
Hyundai Hyundai
Tesla Passenger Play
Tesla Model 3
Hood Latch/Bell Crank Assembly
Nissan Pathfinder
Semi-Trailer Side Underride Guards
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Hyundai Santa FE
Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
KIA Sorento
High pressure fuel pump failure
RAM 3500
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
Tesla
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Lincoln Nautilus
Vehicle Rolls Away While in Park
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Haldex Brake Chamber Failures
Peterbilt Peterbilt
Sliding Doors Inoperative
Extended Stopping Distance
Lateral Movement of Child Seat
Choking on/Ingestion of Car Seat Foam
Loss of Motive Power
Porsche Porsche
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.