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.
WINDSHIELD WIPER
PASSENGER AIR BAG-RELATED FACIAL/EYE INJ
Nissan Altima
AIR BAG INFLATOR
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Lincoln Continental
U-BOLT FAILURES ON DRIVE -AXLE ASSEMBLIE
FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE
SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
Ford Super Duty
SEAT BELT WEBBING
Ford Explorer
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
DOOR HINGE
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
PULLS UNDER HARD BRAKING
PARKING BRAKE
Ford F-350 Super Duty
PARKING BRAKE RESULTING IN ROLLAWAY
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE
AD-DP/AD-IS AIR DRYER CARTRIDGES
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
HEADLIGHT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION
SEAT BACK RECLINER FAILURE
DEGRADED BRAKING IN WET WEATHER
LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
TURN SIGHAL
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST; STEERING & BRAKING
12 VOLT/24 VOLT BATTERY EQUALIZERS
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE
BATTERY LEAKS ACID
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT
FRONT LAP BELT MALFUNCTION
LOSS OF POWER ASSIST
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
Oldsmobile Oldsmobile
INADVERTENT OF SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG
VEHICLE FIRES
FRONT SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED
REFUELING SPIT BACK
KIA Sephia
BOAT TRAILER DISC BRAKE LOCKUP
DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGE
Ford CAB Chassis
STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINION
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
HEADLIGHT WIRE BREAKAGE
Mazda Protege
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.