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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
HONDA ACCORD
Car Seat Harness Buckle
Panoramic Glass Sunroof Breakage
KIA SORENTO
Headliner Fires
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Loss of rear lighting assembly
Simultaneous Loss of Low-Beam Headlights
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Fuel Leak - Motorycle
BMW BMW
Brake Light Switch/Sensor Malfunction
CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX
Loss of Steering Control
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
Child Seat Harness Buckle
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
HONDA HONDA
Floor mat interference with accelerator
MERCURY MERCURY
Headliner Bracket Detachment
HYUNDAI ELANTRA
MCI Drive Shaft Safety Loop Failures
Power Window Master Switch Fire
PONTIAC PONTIAC
Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
MERCURY MONTEREY
Vehicle Rollaway
BMW 7-SERIES
Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Transmission Shift Cable Failure
CHEVROLET CHEVROLET
Electric Power Steering Failure
SATURN SATURN
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
CHRYSLER CHRYSLER
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
HONDA HONDA
Haldex Spring Brake Failures
Loss of headlight illumination
Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture
Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode
Wheel Separations (Broken Studs)
Loss of power steering assist
MINI COOPER
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
Driver's Power Window Master Switch
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN
Engine Compartment Fire
Brake line corrosion failure
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
FORD WINDSTAR
Engine Stall
PONTIAC PONTIAC
Harness slippage
Interior Door Handle Laceration Risk
HVAC Switch Failures
Engine Compartment Fire
MAZDA TRIBUTE
Inadvertent airbag deployment
FORD FORD
Rear Lamp Illumination
BMW BMW
Rear Suspension Lower Link Detachment
HONDA PASSPORT
Air Bag Occupant Classification System
Transmission Torque Converter Failure
MERCURY MONTEREY
Air in brake system
HONDA ODYSSEY
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
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.