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.
AIR BAG CIRCUIT/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
REDUCED CLUTCH AND BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS
BMW BMW
STEERING LOCK/IGNITION SWITCH WIRING
BMW BMW
CONVERTIBLE TOP FLY-UP
FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
MISSING/LOOSE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ANCHOR
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
PARKING PAWL
FUEL LEAKAGE
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Volvo Volvo
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUT DOWN
CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
UNINTENDED RELEASE OF THE REAR HATCH
HEATER COOLANT LEAK
CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
VISCOUS COUPLING FAILURE
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
HARNESS LATCH/BUCKLE PROBLEMS
LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE
Plymouth Plymouth
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
FUEL LINE JUMPER
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY
RELOCATE FUEL RELAY
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY
UNDERHOOD FIRES
HOSE INSPECTIONS
REAR SPRING FRACTURE
STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN LOCKUP
MODIFIED RECLINER ARM
FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE
IGNITION INTERLOCK FAILURE
WHEEL SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
ELECTRICAL FIRE
INADVERTENT FRONT ENTRY DOOR OPENINGS
FAULTY GAS GAUGE INDICATORS
SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF AIR BAGS
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Cadillac Cadillac
INADEQUATE CLEARANCE OF THE FUEL FILLER
MISSING SIDE-WINDOW STOPS
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.