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 POWER ASSIST FAILURE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
CARBURETOR PROBLEMS - PLYMOUTH
Plymouth Plymouth
MOTORCYCLE CONTROL PROBLEMS
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKS
REAR SUSPENSION
Chevrolet Chevrolet
SHOULDER HARNESS PROBLEM
STEERING LOCKUP
REAR TRAILING ARM
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
HYDROPLANING OF DUNLOP SP SPORT D3 RADIA
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
STALLING PROBLEMS
1978-82 OMNI, HORIZON, ARIES, RELIANT K
STALLING AND CARBURETOR MALFUNCTIONS
LACK OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING PANIC
SEAT BELT REEL LOCATION - SEATBELT
FAILURE OF THE DRIVE BELT (TIMING BELT)
STRENGTH OF METAL BED, 3 PLY TIRES, TINT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, RUNAWAY ACCELERA
REAR SEATBELTS
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
RUNAWAY ACCELERATION FOLLOWING A SHIFT F
TRANSAXLE FAILURE
DEFECT INVESTGATION AND RECALL OF GM A A
REAR BRAKES
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
STEERING LOCKUP
RUST - EXTEND RECALL
ENGINE STALLING, TRANS FAILURES
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP INVOLVING AFTERMARKET
STEERING
STALLING
DIESEL OIL LEAK AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM
BROKEN UNIBODY FRAME
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (SMOKE UNDER DASH)
BROKEN CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINTS
LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST (E80-100)
LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM
FRONT SEATBACK FAILURE
FUEL LINE LEAK
X-BODY LOCKUP OF REAR BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP, EXPAND CASE C81-09 TO
FUMES AND DUST IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION OF
IGNITION PROBLEMS, FLUID LEAKS AND STALL
CARBURETOR PLUG POPS OUT
FUEL SYSTEM RUSTING OUT
HIGH PRESSURE AC HOSE RUPTURED
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.