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.
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
UNDERHOOD FIRES
WHEEL SEPARATION
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE
CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER DISENGAGEMENT
FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME FAILURE
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER
FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
OUTER HOOD PANEL DETACHMENT
HARNESS LATCH/BUCKLE PROBLEMS
LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILURE
Plymouth Plymouth
TURN SIGNAL FAILURES
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION/DISENGAGEMENT
DYSFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Mazda Mazda
SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Subaru Subaru
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
LEAKING FUEL TANK
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATIONS
SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE FAILURES
CARRYING HANDLE COMES UNLATCHED
SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
Chrysler Chrysler
FUEL TANK LEAKS
Chrysler Chrysler
BRAKE DISC/HUB SEPARATION
CRACKED FUEL TANKS
FUEL LIQUID-VAPOR SEPARATOR
INFLATABLE CHILD SEAT FAILURE
PINCHED WIRING HARNESSES
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOP DISTANCE
ALLEGED REAR LIFTGATE SUPPORT FAILURE
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
STEERING WHEEL BREAKAGE
INFANT SEAT BASE SEPARATION
SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION
Ford F-150
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAKAGE
BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
INCONSISTENT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE
DYSFUNCTIONAL TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBL
Freightliner Freightliner
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.