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.
SAFETY BELTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Ford Ford
LATCH DISENGAGEMENT
HONDA SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Honda Honda
REAR BRAKE DRUMS
REAR BRAKES
FORD PARK TO REVERSE
Ford Ford
POWER ST. ASSIST
PARK BRAKE SWITCH MALF
1980 AUDI 5000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Audi 5000
SUDDEN ACCEL
FAILURE
TIRE WEAR, GM CARS LIGHT TRUCKS AND VANS
ENGINE FIRE
FIRES
DEFECTIVE DRAW BAR
1983-86 FORD SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Ford Ford
FUEL SPURTING
Chevrolet Chevrolet
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
Toyota Toyota
CROSSMEMBER CRACKING
ELECT. FAILURES/FIRES
FILLER NECK SPURT
Ford Ford
ENGINE FIRES
Chrysler Chrysler
1979-86 AUDI 4000 SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Audi 4000
ELECT. FAILURES/FIRES
Ford Ford
PASSENGER ENTRAPMENT
FAILURE OF AFTERMARKET ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Mercedes-Benz
BRAKE FAILURE
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
EXPEDITE DETERMINATN OF DEFECT IN C84-01
OVERLOAD
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
Nissan Nissan
WELDS CRACK
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
Toyota Toyota
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
Toyota Toyota
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SHIELD POPS UP
POWER STEERING FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Maserati Maserati
RAPID RELEASE
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE
Chrysler Chrysler
1984 MAZDA B-2000 AUTOTRANS KNOCKED OUT
Mazda Mazda
INEFFECTIVE AIR BRAKES
REAR AXLE FAILURE
Eagle Eagle
UNDERDASH FIRES
Ford Ford
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
LOSS OF BRAKES
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE
Toyota Toyota
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.