PlainCars

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.

4,173
Total
93
Open
2329
Preliminary
871
Engineering
210
Recall Queries
Status: All Open
Type: All PEEARQ
EA89021 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-03-23

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
EA89020 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-03-22

FRONT LAP BELT JAMS
PE89105 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-20

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILS
EA89018 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-03-17

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
PE89104 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-17

JAMMED STEERING MECHANISM
PE89102 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-15

HEATER HOSE ROUTING
PE89103 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-15

FUEL TANK SEPARATION
PE89101 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-15

REAR BRAKE PIN
EA89019 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-03-15

BRAKING & WHEEL FAILURE
PE89100 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-14

FUEL FILLER PIPE SPURTING
PE89099 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-14

HEATER CORE FAILURE
DP89007 Defect Petition Closed
1989-03-14

ROUTE SIGN-POTENTIAL FIRE
PE89098 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-10

ANTI LOCK BRAKES
C89001 C Closed
1989-03-06

THROTTLE NON-RETURN
PE89097 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-06

CRUISE CONTROL
EA89017 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-03-03

STEERING & SUSPENSION BOLT
PE89096 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-02

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
PE89093 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-01

FRAME CORROSION
PE89095 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-01

CRUISE CONTROL ERRATIC
PE89094 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-03-01

FRAME FRACTURES
DP89006 Defect Petition Closed
1989-03-01

INOPERATIVE PARKING BRAKES
EA89016 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-02-27

POWER STEERING HOSE
EA89015 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-02-23

BRAKE BACKING PLATES
PE89092 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-23

POWER STEERING LOCKING

Ford Ford

EA89014 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-02-21

HORN MALFUNCTIONS
PE89057 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89044 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

HEATER HOSE MISROUTING

Ford Ford

PE89090 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

HEADREST FAILURE
PE89049 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89088 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89083 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89080 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89078 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89076 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89073 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89070 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89068 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89054 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89051 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89047 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89091 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION
PE89087 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89086 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89085 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89084 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89082 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89081 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89079 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89077 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89075 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES

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.