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.
FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS
BROKEN/LEAKING BRAKE HOSES
CORRODED REAR DISK BRAKES
STEERING COLUMN SMK/FLAMES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FUMES IN CAB
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT
TRUNK LID SUPPORT FAILURE
FRONT BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE
ALLEGED STEERING LOCKUP
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR AXLE FAILURE
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS
POWER STEERING FLUID FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
STEERING POWER ASSIST FAIL
INADVERTENT SHIFT OF TRANS
ACCEL.+BRK PEDAL PLACEMENT
GROUNDING STRAP ROUTING
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
NO DRIVER'S SAFETY RAIL
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
FIRE IN DASH/INSTRUM.CLSTR
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
SCHOOL BUS FLOOR FAILURE
SUB-FRAME ABSORBER FAILURE
BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILS
BATTERY FIRES
WHEEL CHAIR LIFT BOLT FAIL
ENGINE COOLING FAN CRACKS
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURES
QCK-CONNECT FUEL LINE FAIL
HORN BUTTON FALLING OFF
IMPROP. AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
IMPROP. AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
PASS.RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION
STEERING LOCK-UP/IMPEDIMNT
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
SEAT BELT LOCK-UP
DOOR STRIKER BOLT FAILURES
UNDER DASH FIRES
ALLISON TRANSMISSION FAILS
INADVERT. AIR BAG DEPLOYS
STEERING POWER ASSIST FAILURE
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.