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.
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIB.
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
POWER STEERING FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
JACK FAILURE
GAUGE FAILURE
HEATER CORE FAILURE
REAR SEAT BUCKLE UNLATCHES
STEERING WHEEL DETACHMENT
BATTERY EXPLOSION
IMPROPERLY STRETCHED CHASS
DASH REFLCTS IN WINDSHIELD
JACK FAILURE
STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION
ALTERNATOR RECTIFIER OVRHT
WHEEL FAILURE
SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR BRK
INADVERTENT ENGINE SHUTDWN
GOVERNOR PIN/ENG THROTTLE
AXLE HOUSING SEPARATION
WNDSHLD DFRSTER DUCT SEPAR
HIGH SPEED INSTABILITY
THROTTLE RELEASE FAILURE
FRONT BRAKE DISC/HUB SEP
SAFETY BELT CUT AT D-RING
REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION
SAFETY BELT CUT AT WEBBING
SPEED CONTROL FAILURE
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILS
PROPANE TANK SEPARATION
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
BRAKING PERFORMANCE LOSS
ABS CONTROL FAILURE
HARNESS STRAPS LOOSENING
FUEL EXPULSION
REAR HEATER FIRES
AUTO.SAFETY BELT SYSTEM DESIGN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
SPARE TIRE FIRES
THROTTLE STICKS, HIGH IDLE
BRAKE CAMSHAFT FAILURE
DISC BRAKE LINING SPLIT
THROTTLE STICKING
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.