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.
FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FUEL TANK LEAKS
ENGINE STALL
REAR SUSPENSION SEPARATION/FAILURE
International International
REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FAILURE
WHEEL STUD FRACTURE
OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
CNG TANK EXPLOSION
Ford Ford
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
ABS CORROSION EXTENDS STOPPING DIST
Freightliner Freightliner
OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
International International
BALL JOINT SEPARATION
Chrysler Chrysler
SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE
STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
Jeep Grand Cherokee
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE
VOLVO S40/V40 MY 2000-2001
Volvo Volvo
ENGINE STALLING
Mazda Tribute
ENGINE STALLING
FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES
FRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS LOOSEN OR BREAK
Volvo Volvo
FUEL PUMP-RELATED MOTORCYCLE STALLING
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE
Nissan Altima
SEAT FIRES
Volvo Volvo
RAPID TIRE DEFLATION
Ford Pickup
BURN INJURIES DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
KIA KIA
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEAT BELT ROUTING GUIDE ON CARSEAT BASE
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME
BMW 2002
AIR BAG NON DEPLOY
SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY FAILURE
Ford Ford
MIS-ASSEMBLED AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING
Ford Ford
WATER INTRUSION INTO AIRBAG MONITOR
Mercury Mercury
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEEL DENTING
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRES
DS-2000 STEERING SYSTEM
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION
FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
ROLL-AWAY IN REVERSE WHEN PARKED
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.