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.
Timing Belt Failure
Ford Ecosport
Front Steering Knuckle Fractures
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Ford F-150
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Automatic Emergency Braking Errors
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Honda Honda
Rear-View Camera Failure
Honda Ridgeline
Collisions Involving Ford BlueCruise
Ford Mustang
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Honda Passport
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Vehicle entrapment
Dodge Journey
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Honda Accord
Loss of steering control
Tesla Model 3
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Honda Civic
Loss of Motive Power
Ford Bronco
High pressure fuel pump failure
RAM 3500
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Engine Stall - Turbo Failure
Audi Audi
Engine Fires
Hyundai Hyundai
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Loss of Direction Control
Honda Accord
Loss of rearview camera
Tesla Model S
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Loss of Brake Power Assist
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Chevrolet Chevrolet
Steering loss due to linkage separation
RAM 2500
Steering Oscillation
BMW BMW
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Nissan Maxima
Electrical overstress
Steering Column Separation
Seat Belt Webbing Failure
Volkswagen Volkswagen
Door latch failure
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Extended Braking Distance
Mercury Mercury
Extended Braking Distances
Nissan Nissan
Power Steering Failure
Ford Fusion
Engine Compartment Fire
Mercedes-Benz
Exhaust Odor in Passenger Cab
Ford Ford
Windshield Wiper Motor Failure
Freightliner Freightliner
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Chrysler Chrysler
Vehicle rollaway, engine on
Chrysler Chrysler
CNG Fuel System Integrity
Air Bag Clockspring Wiring Failure
Chrysler Chrysler
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Ford Pickup
Front Brake Hose Failure
Ford Explorer
Occupant Classification System Failure
Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid
Pedal Operation Interference
Nissan Versa Note
Door Latch Failure
Lincoln Lincoln
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.