PlainCars

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.

4,173
Total
93
Open
2329
Preliminary
871
Engineering
210
Recall Queries
Status: All Open
Type: All PEEARQ
RQ00005 Recall Query Closed
2000-02-16

FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE
RQ00006 Recall Query Closed
2000-02-16

TRACTION CONTROL
RQ00004 Recall Query Closed
2000-02-04

DUCATI REAR AXLE SPINDLE
RQ00003 Recall Query Closed
2000-01-06

ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE CRACKING
RQ00002 Recall Query Closed
2000-01-04

INCORRECT SPECIFICATION OF TIRE PRESSURE
RQ00001 Recall Query Closed
2000-01-04

DISPROPORTIONATE AXLE WEIGHT
RQ99022 Recall Query Closed
1999-12-20

HEADLIGHT FAILURE
RQ99021 Recall Query Closed
1999-11-02

FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL INJECTORS
RQ99020 Recall Query Closed
1999-10-06

STEERING WHEEL DETACHMENT
RQ99019 Recall Query Closed
1999-09-15

VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
RQ99018 Recall Query Closed
1999-09-03

INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

BMW 328i

RQ99017 Recall Query Closed
1999-08-09

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING
RQ99016 Recall Query Closed
1999-07-29

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

Ford Explorer

RQ99015 Recall Query Closed
1999-07-14

FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE
RQ99014 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-16

TRAILER INSTABILITY
RQ99013 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-10

CADILLAC COOLANT COOLED ALTERNATOR FIRES

Cadillac Cadillac

RQ99012 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-08

WINDSHEILD WIPER LINKAGES
RQ99009 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-01

DRIVELINE FASTENER FAILURE

Freightliner Freightliner

RQ99010 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-01

CONTROL ARM WELDS
RQ99008 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-01

POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS
RQ99011 Recall Query Closed
1999-06-01

INSTRUMENT PANEL GROUND SCREW
RQ99007 Recall Query Closed
1999-05-26

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE
RQ99006 Recall Query Closed
1999-05-13

SEAT BACK FAILURE
RQ99005 Recall Query Closed
1999-05-11

STEERING GEAR/GRAME ATTACHING BOLTS
RQ99004 Recall Query Closed
1999-04-19

REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT

Plymouth Plymouth

RQ99003 Recall Query Closed
1999-03-08

WINDSHIELD WIPER
RQ99002 Recall Query Closed
1999-03-04

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
RQ99001 Recall Query Closed
1999-01-21

FMVSS 120
RQ98025 Recall Query Closed
1998-12-01

AXLE ASSEMBLY FATIGUE
RQ98022 Recall Query Closed
1998-11-13

REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE

Ford F-150

RQ98023 Recall Query Closed
1998-11-13

BRAKE ROTOR DISC/HUB SEPARATION

Chrysler Chrysler

RQ98021 Recall Query Closed
1998-11-10

PARKING BRAKE
RQ98020 Recall Query Closed
1998-11-03

FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING
RQ98019 Recall Query Closed
1998-10-07

NITRILE RUBBER COMPONENTS
RQ98018 Recall Query Closed
1998-10-07

FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAK
RQ98017 Recall Query Closed
1998-10-06

INADVERTENT DRIVER'S SID AIR BAG
RQ98016 Recall Query Closed
1998-09-29

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE
RQ98015 Recall Query Closed
1998-09-29

HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER
RQ98014 Recall Query Closed
1998-09-21

AIR BRAKE RESERVOIR

Ford Ford

RQ98013 Recall Query Closed
1998-08-26

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
RQ98012 Recall Query Closed
1998-07-31

TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVESHAFT
RQ98011 Recall Query Closed
1998-07-31

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT
RQ98010 Recall Query Closed
1998-06-30

BRAIDED FUEL (CNG) HOSE FAILURES

Nissan Nissan

RQ98008 Recall Query Closed
1998-05-29

FORD F-SERIES DUAL FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

Ford F-Series

RQ98007 Recall Query Closed
1998-05-11

TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE

Mitsubishi Mitsubishi

RQ98004 Recall Query Closed
1998-03-18

STEERING COLUMNS
RQ98006 Recall Query Closed
1998-03-18

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
RQ98005 Recall Query Closed
1998-03-13

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL

Ford F-150

RQ98002 Recall Query Closed
1998-03-10

TRANSMISSION QUICK CONNECTORS

Chrysler Chrysler

RQ98003 Recall Query Closed
1998-03-06

ICE FORMATION IN THE THROTTLE BODY

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.