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
PE89074 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89072 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89071 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89069 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89089 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89067 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89066 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89065 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89064 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89063 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89062 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89061 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89060 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89059 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89058 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89056 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89055 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89053 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89052 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89050 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89048 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89046 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89045 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-17

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89041 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-15

INADEQUATE CAP LUG NUTS
PE89043 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-15

HEATER HOSE MISROUTING
PE89042 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-13

HEADLIGHT RETAINING RING
PE89039 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-09

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
PE89040 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-09

UNDERHOOD FIRES

Ford Ford

EA89013 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-02-09

ROLLOVER PROPENSITY
PE89038 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-02-09

UNDERHOOD FIRES
PE89037 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-30

SEATBELT RETRACTOR JAMS
EA89012 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-01-27

INJURES FINGERS
DP89005 Defect Petition Closed
1989-01-26

F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
EA89011 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-01-26

FAILS
DP89004 Defect Petition Closed
1989-01-23

SUDDEN ACCELERATION
PE89035 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-19

STOP LAMPS

Chevrolet Chevrolet

PE89033 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-18

SEAT ARM REST FAILURES
EA89010 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-01-17

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS
PE89034 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-17

FIRES
PE89032 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-11

AIR BRAKE EMERGENCY VALVE
PE89031 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-10

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
PE89030 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-10

FRONT SEAT FAILURE
PE89029 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-09

WIPERS
PE89036 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-09

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING
EA89008 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-01-05

DOOR HINGE PINS
EA89009 Engineering Analysis Closed
1989-01-05

POWER STEERING BRACKET
PE89028 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1989-01-04

ELECTRONIC ACCEL
EA89007 Engineering Analysis Closed
1988-12-23

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
PE89026 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1988-12-20

AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
PE89027 Preliminary Evaluation Closed
1988-12-20

TAIL LIGHT WIRING 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.