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.
UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS
SLIDE OUT MECHANISM
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURES
FUEL LEAKS
INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
PROPSHAFT TUBE FAILURE
PASS.RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
4WHL STEERING SENSOR FAILS
FUEL LINE ROUTING
BROKEN TIE RODS
DRIVESHAFT/UNIV.JOINT FAIL
MELTED THROTTLE CABLES
TAG AXLE BEARING FAILURES
FR SEATBACK RECLINER FAILS
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAIL
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE
ELECTRICAL FIRE
IMPROPER WGHT DISTRIBUTION
GAS TANK LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
THROTTLE CABLE DISCONNECTS
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM
THROTTLE STICKING/BINDING
DOOR LATCH SYSTEMS
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
STEERING GEAR BOLT BROKEN
UNDER BODY FUEL LEAKS
ACCEL LINKAGE DISCONNECTION
OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILURE
FUEL LINE FAILURE
SEMI-TRAILER KING PIN FAIL
SEMI-TRAILER KING PIN FAIL
FUEL LINE SEPARATION
UNDER DASH FIRES
ROLL-OVER/VENT VALVE LEAK
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
INCONSIST.BRK PERFORMANCE
AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
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.