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.
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE
DYSFUNCTIONAL TURN SIGNAL ASSY.
WATER IN DEFROSTER SYSTEM
DASH TRIM SEPARATION
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE DETACHMENT
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE FLOOR PAN
REAR AXLE SHAFT SEPARATION
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLES
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE CHILD SEATS
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF SHIFTER
Dodge Dakota
SEAT TRACKS
SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER
Ford Ford
FRONT BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE
FT SEAT LATCH MECHANISM FAILURE
STEERING COLUMN LOOSENING
HOOD FLY UP
SEAT BACK BOLT FAILURE
ABS BRAKING MALFUNCTION
PRNDL MISALIGNMENT
PASSENGER AIR BAG DETACHMENT
DASH TRIM PIECE SEPARATION
PLASTIC TRIM PANEL SEPARATION
WINDOW SHADE INGESTION
SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILURE
INADVERTENT RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT
FIRES
UNDERCARRIAGE FUEL LINE INTERFERENCE
SEAT BACK FAILURE
FAULTY SEATBELT BUCKLES
INFANT EJECTION FROM SEAT
WARNING LABEL ON GEAR SHIFT
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE AUTO HEATER
HANDLEBAR LOWER CLAMP FRACTURING
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES
FIRES IN STEERING COLUMN
COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS LEAKAGE
REAR SEAT ANCHORAGES
SEAT BELT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION
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.