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.
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
HANDRAILS
STEERING SYSTEM LOCKUP
BACKLITE SHATTERING
BACKLITE SHATTERING
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE
STEER BOX PITMAN SHAFT FLS
REAR LIFTGATE LATCH
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER MTR FAILS
THROTTLE LINKAGE INTERFER
FUEL LEAKS
TIRE FAILURES
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION
IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
FUEL FILTER FIRES
HOOD FLY-UPS
INADVERT. STEERING LOCKUP
HANDRAILS SNAG
FUEL LINE FAILURE
HANDRAIL SNAGS
SEATBACK FAILURE
GAS TANK LEAKS
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FAIL
HANDRAIL SNAGS
FUEL LEAKS
AUTO TRANS PRNDL MISALIGN
THROTTLE STICKING
SEVERE PULLING WHILE BRKNG
SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
FUEL EXPULSION
ANTILOCK BRAKES
MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE
THROTTLE STICKING/BINDING
LOOSE SPINDLE NUTS/WHL SEP
THROTTLE STICKING
CLUTCH ROD SEPARATION
DETACHMENT OF BUMPER COVER
FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE FAILS
FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
UNDER DASH FIRES
SEAT BLT LOCKS-STOW POSIT.
SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
CHAMBER SEPAR./BROKEN BOLT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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.