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.
HALFSHAFT FAILURE
PASSGR COMPARTMENT FIRES
CRACKING OF PLASTIC SHELL
THROTTLE CABLE BINDING
ABS FAILURES
SEAT MOVES
THROTTLE CONTROL
Jeep Jeep
LATCH FAILURE
HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE
CRNKSHFT PULLEY BOLT FAILR
STEERING MALFUNCTION
POOR LUG RETENTION
SHIFTER FAILURE
INSTRMNT LIGHT ON WINDSHLD
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
QUAD 4 ENG WIRING FAILURE
REAR BRK LIGHTS STAY ON
FUEL INTRUSION
NON COLLISION FIRES
Lincoln Town CAR
HIGH BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT
FRONT SWAY BAR SEPARATION
INSUFFICIENT WELD PENETRAT
EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS
STABILIZER BAR SEPARATION
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FIRES
ELASTIC STRAP FAILURE
LUMBAR SWTCH HRNESS FIRES
CHILD SEAT FAILURE
FIRES CAUSED BY CLTCH LK
FAST IDLE AIR CYL FAILURES
FAST IDLE AIR CYL FAILURES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT
GMC GMC
THROTTLE STICKING
BRAKE FAILURE
SHUTDOWN W/O WARNING
TREAD SEPARATION
DIESEL ENGINE RUNAWAY
IGNITER ASSEMBLY FAILURE
Toyota Toyota
FIRES
Mercury Mercury
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE
CO INTRUSION
Lincoln Lincoln
TRUNK FIRES
STEERING MALFUNCTION
Toyota Toyota
FUEL EXPULSION
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
Subaru Subaru
HIGH SPEED STALLING
Jeep Cherokee
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.