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.
CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT
WINDSHIELD WIPER
DRIVERS SEAT FAILURE
MISSING J-HOOK BODY RETENTION HOOKS
INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE
CHASSIS SPRING SHACKLES
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION/DISENGAGEMENT
MULTIPLEX STEERING WHEEL OPERATION
DYSFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Mazda Mazda
SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION
ALLEGED FAILURE LOWER RADIUS ROD BRACKER
HARNESS LATCH/BUCKLE PROBLEMS
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
ALLEGED FRAME FRACTURES
BATTERY CABLE ROUTING
LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE
Mazda Mazda
BROKEN OR DAMAGED ENGINE FAN
Volvo Volvo
FAILURE TRANSMISSION PARK ENGAGEMENT/LOC
Ford F-150
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Subaru Subaru
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Toyota Toyota
LEAKING FUEL TANK
AIR BAG EXHAUST FIRE
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
FRONT RADIOS ROD MODIFICATION
EMERGENCY DOOR DECALS
SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURES
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
AIR BAG EXHAUST FIRE
AIR BAG EXHAUST FIRE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
CARRYING HANDLE COMES UNLATCHED
STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
Chrysler Chrysler
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
Ford Ford
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN CENTER CONSOLE
LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
CLEARANCE LIGHTS NONCOMPLAINANCE
BILINGUAL LABELING
CLEARANCE LIGHTS NONCOMPLIANCE
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ALLEGED FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN AREA
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
Chrysler Chrysler
FUEL TANK LEAKS
Chrysler Chrysler
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
UNDERCARRIAGE FIRES
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION/DISENGAGEMENT
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.