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.
EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE
SEPARATION OF STEERING GEAR FROM FRAME
ALLEGED FAILURE OF STEERING PITMAN SHAFT
BINDING THROTTLE HAND CONTROLS
ROLLOVER ON SUZUKI SAMURAI CONVERTIBLES
Suzuki Samurai
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
AIR BAG INFLATOR FAILURE
HEADLIGHTS FAILURE
BATTERY CABLE SHORT
CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF
CHILD SAFETY SEAT BASE SEPARATION
WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
Ford Ford
FAILURE OF AUTO TRANS PARK LOCK SYSTEM
Mercury Mercury
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURES
TRASH TRUCK PACKER FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
TRANSIT BUS FIRES
BATTERY EXPLOSION
Mercury Villager
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATION
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
Ford Topaz
GLASS SUNROOF SHATTERING
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
STEER RCK +PINION MNT FAIL
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
BRUSH/GRILLE GUARD CAMPAIGN
FRONT BRAKE HOSE FAILURE
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP
GAS TANK GUARD
Chevrolet Chevrolet
SCISSOR JACK FAILURE
PASSENGER SIDE DASH FIRES
UNINTENDED WHEEL CHAIR RESTRAINT DISCONN
HANDRAILS
FRONT BRAKE FAILURE
VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION
AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Honda Honda
REAR FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE
REAR SEAT BELT FAILURE
SEAT TRACK
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
FUEL LEAKEAGE FROM ROLLOVER VALVE
CANVAS SOFT-TOP FLY-OFF
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE WHEELS
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
Chrysler Chrysler
BLOWER AREA FIRES
UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKS
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
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.