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.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Front Driveshaft Failure
Steering loss due to linkage separation
RAM 2500
Aerial Turntable Failures
Steering Oscillation
BMW BMW
Front Occupant Classification System Mat
Nissan Nissan
Battery Management Software Updates
Tesla Model S
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Passenger Sensing System
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Seat Belt Retraction
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Frame weld deficiencies
Jeep Jeep
False Automatic Emergency Braking
Nissan Rogue Sport
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Dodge Durango
Vehicle Stalling - Manual Transmission
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Front Occupant Classification System Mat
Nissan Nissan
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Subaru Forester
Seat belt buckle bracket failure
Jeep Wrangler
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Nissan Maxima
Seat Belt Buckle Casings may Fail
Fuel Tank Flange Leak
Land Rover Rover
Rear Leaf Spring Fractures
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
Loss of Power Steering Assist
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Mazda Mazda
Electrical overstress
Unintended Movement
Isuzu N-Series
False Automatic Emergency Braking
Nissan Rogue Sport
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
KIA Sorento
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Hyundai Santa FE
Steering Oscillation
BMW BMW
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
Cadillac Cadillac
Lap seat belts fail to latch
Steering loss due to linkage separation
RAM 2500
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Nissan Nissan
Sale of noncompliant school bus
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Loss of Brake Power Assist
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Steering Column Separation
Frame Weld Deficiencies
Jeep Wrangler
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Volvo Volvo
Recall Administration Concerns
Mercedes-Benz
Power tailgate opens unintended
Ford Super Duty
Internal transmission failure
Ford Econoline
Unintended aerial platform movement
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Hyundai Santa FE
Frame corrosion
Toyota 4runner
Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
Ford F-150
Recall Administration Concerns
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.