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.
FRAME CRACKS-FRONT SHOCK MOUNT
SHIFT-LOCK
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
UNDER HOOD FIRES
WINDSHIELD WIPER
AUTOMATIC BRAKE SLACK ADJUSTER
International International
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
Subaru Subaru
UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAGE
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
SPARE TIRE WEAR
TRUCK ROLLOVER CRASHES
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
BMW 328i
SPARE TIRE MOUNTING
REAR SAFETY BELT MALFUNCTION
WINDSHIELD WIPER
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FRONT BRAKE FADE
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE
Mercury Villager
BRAKING SYSTEM
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
BALL JOINT
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
REMOTE ENGINE STARTER
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
CORRODED BRAKE LINES
Toyota Toyota
ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE
HEADLAMP WIRING
Honda Accord
FMVSS 120
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
FUEL LEAKAGE
SEPARATION OF SPARE TIRE FROM VEHICLE
BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
COOLANT FIRES
BRAKE HOSE ABRASION
OVERHEAD CONSOLE LOOSE OR HANGS DOWN
FRONT BRAKE HOSE
TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT
THROTTLE STICKING
Ford Ford
BRAKING SYSTEM
FUEL EXPULSION
Volkswagen Volkswagen
ENGINE CRADLE/CONTROL ARM BRACKET WELD
Carry Handle Unlatching
INADVERTENT ROOM SIDE-OUT
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
LOOSE OR MISSING SUSPENSION BOLTS
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Ford Ford
DRIVER SEAT TETHER
AXLE ASSEMBLY FATIGUE
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.