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.
TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING
BURNED OUT TRANSMISSION DUE TO OIL LEAK
THROTTLE STICKING CASE - C81-02
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
REOPEN FORD TRANSMISSION CASE C8-02
Ford Ford
CAMSHAFT FAILURES
FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT
REAR VIEW MIRROR
FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE
FUEL TANK FILLER
ROLLOVER
TRANSMISSIONS
GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE
REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE
FUEL TANK INTEGRITY
FUEL PUMP
HANDLING PROBLEMS
REAR AXLE FAILURE
GLC STALLING
JUMPED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, ELECTRICAL
RETREAD TIRES
STALLING
ACCELERATED WITH TRANSMISSION IN PARK
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS
ENGINE FIRES
A-FRAME AND CRANKSHAFT
ENGINE FIRES
FUEL INJECTOR LEAKS
BALL JOINT FAILURE
REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP
FRONT WHEEL JOINTS AND BEARINGS
ROLL BAR FAILURE
STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES
STEEL BELTED RADIALS MADE AFTER MAY 1, 1
CLUTCH CABLES AND STALLING
FASTRAK BIAS PLY TIRES
FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONS
V-6 STALLING DUE TO FUEL FILTER
FUEL TANK
ALL UNVENTED FURNACE FLUES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PUT IN REVERSE
RADIAL TRUCK TIRES
SEAT BELTS
DIESEL TIMING BELT
FLEX FAN
INCONSEQUENTIAL DEFECT, C7-30, FIAT CORR
FIAT
TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSIONS JUMP FROM PARK TO REVERSE
STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES
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.