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.
High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Fuel Spill During Refueling
Engine Stalling
Steering Shaft Separation
Driveshaft separates from tractor
Peterbilt Peterbilt
Front Air Brake Hose Interference
Engine Compartment Fire
Central Electronic Module Failure
Volvo Volvo
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Ford Windstar
Rear Hatch Strut Support Failure
Loss of Headlight Illumination
Fuel Spill During Refueling
KIA Sorento
Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
Sticky Steering
Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat
Ford Ford
Engine Compartment Fires
Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance
Mercedes-Benz
Rear Axle Cracking
Ford Windstar
Fuel Tank Leak
Cequent (Reese) Hitch
Fire In Grote LED Clearance/Marker Lamps
Sticking Accelerator Pedal
Chrysler Chrysler
Dash Fires
Brake line corrosion failure
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Harness Slippage
Steering Wander or Drift
Toyota Corolla
Braking Performance, Hybrid Vehicle
Stop Lamps Intermittent
Electric Power Steering Failure
Chevrolet Chevrolet
SUDDEN FUEL EXPULSION
Inoperative 8-Way Warning Lamps
Freightliner Freightliner
Driveshaft Failure
Wheel Chair Lift Separates From Bus
GASOLINE LEAKS
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi
HVAC Switch Failures
Ford E-350
Engine Stalling
Toyota Corolla Matrix
STARTER WIRE ABRADES PARKING CABLE
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
BMW BMW
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
BMW F650
REAR SPRING TRAILING ARM BOLT LOOSE
FRAME CORROSION
Toyota Toyota
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
SAAB SAAB
THROTTLE STICKS ON FLOOR PLATE
INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
Ford Ford
CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURE
Mazda Mazda
Interior Door Handle Laceration Risk
STARTER CABLE CHAFING
ALTERNATOR CABLE CHAFING
CHILD SEAT HANDLE SEPARATION
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.