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.
STEERING SHAFT BINDING
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING PLATE CRACKING
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Pontiac Pontiac
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Mercury Mercury
UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT
J71 AUTO-PARK INCONSISTEN OPERATION
FUEL TANK CRACKS
REAR SHOULDER BELT MALFUNCTION
SPARE TIRE SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE
Mercury Villager
BRAKE ROTER DISC/HUD SEPARATION
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIV
FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING
CARRY HANDLE UNLATCHING
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
UNDER HOOD FIRES
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
COOLANT FIRES
TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT
THROTTLE STICKING
Ford Ford
ENGINE CRADLE/CONTROL ARM BRACKET WELD
FUEL LEAKS FROM THE VAPOR CANISTER
ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE
THROTTLE HANG-UP
OCCUPANT HARNESS BUCKLE
DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
INADEQUATE WELDING QUALITY CONTROL SEATS
ALLEGED LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL
SEAT BACK FAILURES
Saturn Saturn
FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY FIRES
REAR STEREO SPEAKER FIRES
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK
PARKING BRAKE
HEATER CORE REPTURE
UNDERHOOD FUEL FIRES
HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT
MISSING/LOOSE FRONT BRAKE
UNEXPECTED ENGINE STALLING WHEN RIDING
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
Chrysler Chrysler
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
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.