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.
Unintended Movement
Isuzu N-Series
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
KIA Sorento
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Hyundai Santa FE
Steering Oscillation
BMW BMW
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
Cadillac Cadillac
Lap seat belts fail to latch
Steering loss due to linkage separation
RAM 2500
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Nissan Nissan
Loss of Brake Power Assist
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Power tailgate opens unintended
Ford Super Duty
Internal transmission failure
Ford Econoline
Unintended aerial platform movement
Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
Ford F-150
Loss of Motive Power
Ford Escape
Front Subframe Corrosion
Mazda Mazda6
Upper Steering Column Separation
Toyota Highlander
PNDB Electrical Power Distribution
Freightliner Freightliner
Air bags may be disabled during crash
Hyundai Hyundai
Low Pressure Fuel Supply Hose Leak
Mercedes-Benz Metris
Seat Belt Webbing Failure
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Goodyear G159 275/70R22.5 Tire Failure
Tailpipe seperation resulting in fire
Steering Wheel Fastening Bolt Loosens
Lincoln Lincoln
Seat belt latch failure
Seatbelt Retractor Failure
Failed School Bus Seat Back Pans
Occupant Restraint Controller Failure
Jeep Liberty
Extended Braking Distances
Nissan Nissan
Motorcycle Stalling
Suzuki Suzuki
Front Passenger Seat Belt Anchor Failure
Hyundai Hyundai
Extended Braking Distance
Mercury Mercury
Engine Compartment Fire
Smart Fortwo
Vehicle Rollaway
Chrysler Chrysler
Powered vehicle rollaway
Jaguar Jaguar
Inadvertent Curtain and Seat Air Bag
Nissan Nissan
Door Ajar Warning Light Always On
Ford Ford
Power Steering Failure
Ford Fusion
Electronic Parking Brake
Sudden Brake Failure - Motorcycle
Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor
Ford Explorer
Automatic vehicle control systems
Tesla Model S
Yaw rate sensor malfunction
Toyota Sequoia
Wiper Motor Failure
Freightliner Freightliner
Loss of Windshield Wiper Function
Master Cylinder External Leak
Ford F-150
Motorcycle Stalling
Door Latch Failure
Ford Focus
Front Tire Overload
Hitch Failure
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.