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.
ALLEGED BATTERY EXPLOSIONS
SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
SEAT BACK RECLINER FAILURE
POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS
STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT
DRIVER'S BUS SEATS FAIL
STALLING
HANDRAILS
LWR BALL JOINT ASSEM.FAILS
DRIVER'S BUS SEAT FAILS
TRAILER SPRG HANGER DETACH
CHILD SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
DRIVESHAFT FAILURES
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
THROTTLE CABLE FAILURES
FUEL LINE ROUTING
CHLD SFTY SEAT LATCH INTER
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
STEERING SHAFT FAILURE
FUEL TANK SUPPORT FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS
FUEL PUMP FAILS/TANK LEAKS
HOOD FLY-UP WHILE DRIVING
REAR HATCH LATCH FAILURE
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM
WHEEL FAILURES
STALLING
STALLING
FLAMMABLE A/C REFRIGERANT
SENDING UNIT GASKET FAILS
CHILD SEAT PWR ADJ FAILS
AUTO RESTRAINT SYST. FAILS
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
FUEL PUMP WIRING SHORTAGE
THRTTL VLV LINKAGE BUSHING
ALLEGED BATTERY FAILURES
WHEEL RIM FAILURES
STEER BOX PITMAN SHAFT FLS
IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
BRAKE DRAG/EFFECTIVENESS
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
CHILD SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
THROTTLE NOT RETURNING
FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
AXLE ATTACHMENT 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.