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.
FAST IDLE AIR CYL FAILURES
FAST IDLE AIR CYL FAILURES
FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT
GMC GMC
TIE ROD BREAKAGE
DRAWBAR
BRAKE POWER ASSIST
Chrysler Chrysler
THROTTLE STICKING
FIREWALL SEAM SPLIT
BRAKE FAILURE
FIRES
SEAT TRACKS
Ford Escort
SHUTDOWN W/O WARNING
TREAD SEPARATION
DIESEL ENGINE RUNAWAY
IGNITER ASSEMBLY FAILURE
Toyota Toyota
FIRES
Mercury Mercury
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE
CO INTRUSION
Lincoln Lincoln
TRUNK FIRES
WINDOW SHATTERING
STALLING
STALLING
Pontiac Bonneville
STEERING MALFUNCTION
Toyota Toyota
FUEL EXPULSION
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
Subaru Subaru
STALLING
HIGH SPEED STALLING
Jeep Cherokee
OVERLOAD & OVERHEAT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Toyota Toyota
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SEAT FAILURES
Chrysler Chrysler
EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT
FUEL EXPULSION
EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT
THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILURE
PROPAR AXLE & AXA-0410 AXLE NUT
FUEL TANK PENETRATION
FORD E350 EMS VEH. FIRES
Ford E-350
FORD E-350 EMS VEHICLE FIRES
Ford E-350
ENGINE FIRES
REAR DISC BRAKE FAILURE
REAR WINDOW
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
HYDROBOOST FAILURE
PITMAN ARM FAILURE
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
REAR INNER WHEEL BEARINGS
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.