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.
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
Saturn Saturn
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
POWER LIFTGATE LATCH
Chrysler Chrysler
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
DISABLED VEHICLE
TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION
OVERHEATED FUEL PUMP WIRING
Chevrolet Chevrolet
UNDERHOOD FIRES
Honda Honda
FALSE PARK
BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Toyota Toyota
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILURE
Ford Ford
ENGINE STALLING
Chrysler Chrysler
BRAKE LAMP FAILURE
STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE
KIA KIA
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE
Audi Audi
STEERING BINDING
Volvo Volvo Truck
DRIVER SEAT PEDESTAL FAILURES
SCHOOL BUS LIGHTING FAILURES
DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING FAILURE
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT OVERHEATS
Volkswagen Volkswagen
ENGINE STALL
SAAB SAAB
WHEEL SEPARATIONS
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (ETC)
Ford Ford
TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE
FUEL RAIL LEAKS
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
REFUELING SPIT BACK
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
AMBULANCE ALTERNATOR FAILURES
DRIVERS SIDE DASH FIRE
Audi Audi
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES
Subaru Subaru
UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
STRICK WHEEL-END FAILURES
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE
Volkswagen Volkswagen
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
Pontiac Grand Prix
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Honda Honda
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Honda Honda
AXLE FAILURE WITH WHEEL SEPARATION
FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE
KIA KIA
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FAILURE
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
Ford Crown Victoria
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
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.