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 STALLING
Chrysler Chrysler
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Chevrolet Chevrolet
WHEEL SEPARATION DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE
Nissan Nissan
REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS SEPARATION
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG FAILURE
Dodge Durango
STEERING COLUMN WELD CRACKS
Freightliner Freightliner
FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION
KIA KIA
TIRE FAILURE
UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE
Toyota Toyota
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER CORROSION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
CARRY HANDLE
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
Chevrolet Chevrolet
INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRES
Chrysler Chrysler
LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE
Toyota Sequoia
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Medium Duty
ENGINE STALLING
Chrysler Chrysler
VEHICLE UNDER-SEAT FIRE
Dodge Durango
FUEL TANK PUNCTURES
Nissan Nissan
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE - STALL
Saturn Saturn
FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Jeep Liberty
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES
Volvo Volvo
SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Porsche Porsche
STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING SHAFT BOLTS
Dodge Durango
FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE
REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE
SUNROOF GLASS FAILURE
Cadillac Cadillac
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
Jeep Liberty
THROTTLE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
Volvo Volvo
FAN BLADE FAILURE (ENGINE COOLING FAN)
Jeep Grand Cherokee
POWER STEERING FLUID FIRES
Plymouth Plymouth
ENGINE STALL
HUMMER H2 STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURES
Hummer H2
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
Land Rover Freelander
WINDSHIELD LEAK CAUSES ELECTRIC FAILURES
ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE
Ford Mustang Cobra
SUN/MOON ROOF WIND DEFLECTOR BREAKAGE
Scion Scion
FINGER PINCH POINT
Nissan Nissan
FRONT TIRE FAILURES
SEATBELT MALFUNCTION
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES
TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES
ALTERNATOR FAILURE / ENGINE STALLING
Nissan Nissan
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Ford Ford
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Ford Ford
ENGINE STALLING
Ford Excursion
SUDDEN, UNFORESEEN TRANSMISSION LOCKU
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
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.