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.
FUEL SPURTING
WELD CRACKS
FAILURE
CROSS BAR PRESSES NECK
STEERING CONTROL
PLATE HANGS UP
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
REAR BRAKES
REAR BRAKES
POWER ST. ASSIST
SUDDEN ACCEL
FIRES
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
TOYOTA TOYOTA
FILLER NECK SPURT
FORD FORD
ENGINE FIRES
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
BRAKE FAILURE
OVERLOAD
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
NISSAN NISSAN
WELDS CRACK
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
TOYOTA TOYOTA
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
TOYOTA TOYOTA
SHIELD POPS UP
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
MASERATI MASERATI
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
REAR AXLE FAILURE
EAGLE EAGLE
SEAT TRACK LOCK
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
REAR BRAKE FAILURE
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS
CRUISE CONTROL
HANDLING DIFFICULTIES
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
TOYOTA TOYOTA
SEATBACK FAILURE
FORD FORD
OVERLOAD
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
BRAKE BACKING PLATE
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER
FORD FORD
SIDE DOOR FIRES
POWER BRAKE ASSIST
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
TOYOTA CRESSIDA
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
REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
FORD FORD
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
NISSAN NISSAN
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT
FLOOR PAN CRACKS
FORD FORD
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
MINI
REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD
REAR SUSPENSION
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
REAR TRAILING ARM
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
REAR BRAKE LOCKUP
FRONT SEATBACK FAILURE
FUEL LINE LEAK
CARBURETOR PLUG POPS OUT
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP
ALL UNVENTED FURNACE FLUES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
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.