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.
LEAKING FUEL TANK
REAR AXLE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Hyundai Elantra
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
REVERSE POLARITY ON BATTERY CABLE
UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOTION
CRACKED FUEL TANKS
FUEL LIQUID-VAPOR SEPARATOR
LOSS OF CHASSIS ELECTRICAL POWER
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Subaru Impreza
SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTER
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
MISMATCHED BRAKE CHAMBERS
INFLATABLE CHILD SEAT FAILURE
TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES
Chrysler Chrysler
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE
Ford Ford
ALLEGED ENGINE SUBFRAME MOUNT/INSULATOR
DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR
Chevrolet Chevrolet
PINCHED WIRING HARNESSES
HARNESS RELEASE BUTTON BREAKS
CARRYING HANDLE COMES UNLATCHED
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOP DISTANCE
ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
TAB FOR SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT BREAKS OFF
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
DOOR OPEN WHILE DRIVING
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
ALLEGED FAILURE CHILDSEAT CARRIER HANDLE
ALLEGED POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURES
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
WHEEL FAILURE
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
STEERING WHEEL BREAKAGE
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
UNDERSEAT VEHICLE FIRES
FUEL LIQUID-VAPOR SEPARATOR FAILURE
INFANT SEAT BASE SEPARATION
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
Dodge Dodge
CNG FUEL TANK EXPLOSION
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
Ford F-150
SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSION
INFANT SAFETY SEATS
RISK OF ROLLOVER
Isuzu Trooper
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANK
CRACKED FUEL TANKS
FAILURES DIGITALLY CONTROLLED STEERING
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.