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.
BRAKE BACKING PLATE
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER
Ford Ford
SIDE DOOR FIRES
CORRODED SHEET METAL TIE ROD ARM
DUAL REAR WHEEL RETENTION
SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND ENGINE SURGING
FAILURE OF 4 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIO
POWER BRAKE ASSIST
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Toyota Cressida
GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR FLEW DOWN
RECALL OF 1977-1985 MID TO FULL SIZE REA
SIDE DOOR STRENGTH
UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCEL
SEAT BACK RECLINER
SEAT BACK RECLINER
VEHICLE FIRES
Volvo Volvo White
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Audi Audi
FAILURE OF SPRING HANGERS
Freightliner Freightliner
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SEPARATION
MINI
DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR LATCHES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
Ford Ford
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
FUEL LEAKAGE AT FILLER NECK
STALLING IN FULL AND MIDSIZE FUEL INJECT
EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF MACPHERSON STRUT FR
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
Nissan Nissan
FLEX FAN FAILURE
STALLING WHEN COLD
CARBON MONOXIDE FLOW INTO PASSENGER AREA
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND AXLE
PULLING TO LEFT AND VIBRATING STEERING W
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT
FAILURE TO HOLD OR ENGAGE IN PARK AUTOMA
DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEMS
FLOOR PAN CRACKS
Ford Ford
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
MINI
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
HUB CAP RETENTION
FRAME RAIL RUST
REOPEN TRANS. PARK TO REVERSE INVSTGTN A
FRONT SUSPENSION ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL
FAILURE OF SEAT BACK SECURING BOLTS
BRAKE PROBLEMS
STALLING
CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT BOOT FAILURE
LEAKING FUEL RESERVOIRS AND RESULTANT FI
ENGINE COMPARTMENT 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.