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.
REAR DOOR FAILURES
REAR DOOR FAILURES
NUT CRACKING + WHEEL SEPAR
APV FUEL LINE FIRES
HOOD FLY-UP
FRONT SEAT TRACK FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STEERING GEARBOX BLT FAILS
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
REAR WINDOW SHATTERING
INADVER. STEERING LOCKUP
FRONT WHL BEARING FAILURE
BRAKE PERFORMANCE
MULTIPLE DEFECTS
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING
UNINTENDED UNLATCHING OF SEAT BELT
R SEAT BELT WEBBING LENGTH
AUTO TRANS.PRNDL MISALIGN
SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE FAILURE
FUEL EXPULSION
EXHAUST SYSTEM FIRES
FRONT AIR BRAKE HOSE FAILS
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
PWR STEERING LEAKS/FIRES
FRONT SEAT BACK FAILURE
MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE
CLUTCH ROD SEPARATION
FUEL TANK POSITION
LOOSE SPINDLE NUTS/WHL SEP
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
TRANSMISSION FAILURES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
WIPER MOUNTING BRACKET
WHEEL CRACKING
STEER.COL.RETENT.PIN FAILS
OVERLOADED REAR AXLES
CARBURETOR FUEL LEAKAGE
FR.SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS
THROTTLE STICKING
DOLLY CONVERTER FAILURE
R.AX.TORQ.ARM BKT FRACTURE
VISUAL OBSCURATION + HEAD IMPACT
BRK PDL PIVOT SHAFT DISENG
WATER TANK SEPARATION
FRONT BRAKE LOCK UP
CHAMBER SEPAR./BRKN BOLTS
MOTOR WHEEL NUT CRACKING
MAIN FRAME FAILURES
SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
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.