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.

4,173

Total

93

Open

2329

Preliminary

871

Engineering

210

Recall Queries

Status: All Open

Type: All PE EA RQ

RQ26002 Recall Query Open

Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy

MAZDA MAZDA

RQ26001 Recall Query Open

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

RQ25005 Recall Query Open

Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ25004 Recall Query Open

Loss of rear-view camera image

POLESTAR POLESTAR 2

RQ25003 Recall Query Open

Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure

RAM 1500

RQ25002 Recall Query Closed

Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ25001 Recall Query Open

Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 22V887

RQ24015 Recall Query Closed

Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment

FORD EXPEDITION

RQ24014 Recall Query Closed

Loss of Motive Power

FORD BRONCO SPORT

RQ24013 Recall Query Closed

Engine failure

HONDA HONDA

RQ24012 Recall Query Open

Loss of Motive Power

JEEP WRANGLER 4XE

RQ24011 Recall Query Closed

Rear-View Camera Failure

HONDA RIDGELINE

RQ24010 Recall Query Closed

Inadvertent Door Opening

VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN

RQ24009 Recall Query Open

Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness

TESLA

RQ24007 Recall Query Closed

2022-2023 Pratt Container Chassis Trailers

RQ24008 Recall Query Closed

Underhood fires caused by fuel leak

FORD BRONCO SPORT

RQ24006 Recall Query Closed

Front Seat Belt Assemblies may be Missing the Rivet that Secures the Quick Connector and Wire Plate

HONDA ACCORD HYBRID

RQ24005 Recall Query Closed

Unintended Transmission Downshift

FORD F-150

RQ24003 Recall Query Closed

Loss of Power Brake/Steering Assist Post Recall 22V089 Inspection.

FORD E-350

RQ24004 Recall Query Open

Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.

CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID

RQ24002 Recall Query Closed

High Voltage Coolant Heater Delamination

LUCID AIR

RQ24001 Recall Query Open

Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (Remedy effectiveness of Recall 22V-077)

CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID

RQ23007 Recall Query Closed

Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)

VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN

RQ23006 Recall Query Closed

Loss of Motive Power

FORD FOCUS

RQ23005 Recall Query Closed

Vehicle Rollaway

KIA SOUL EV

RQ23004 Recall Query Closed

High Voltage Battery Contactor Failure

FORD MUSTANG

RQ23003 Recall Query Open

Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ23002 Recall Query Closed

Rear Axle Bolt Failure

FORD EXPLORER

RQ23001 Recall Query Open

Certification, Recall Scope, Timeliness

RQ22005 Recall Query Closed

Windshield Wiper Failure

HYUNDAI PALISADE

RQ22003 Recall Query Closed

Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture

HYUNDAI HYUNDAI

RQ22004 Recall Query Closed

Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures

LINCOLN LINCOLN

RQ22002 Recall Query Closed

Stall from Crankshaft\Camshaft Failure

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ22001 Recall Query Closed

Recall 22E-016

RQ21002 Recall Query Open

Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance

LINCOLN NAUTILUS

RQ21001 Recall Query Closed

Power Tailgate Release Systems

FORD FORD

RQ20001 Recall Query Closed

SAM Cab Water Intrusion

RQ19005 Recall Query Closed

Door Latch Failures

LINCOLN LINCOLN

RQ19004 Recall Query Closed

Fuel Tank Flange Leak

LAND ROVER ROVER

RQ19003 Recall Query Closed

Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

CHEVROLET CHEVROLET

RQ19002 Recall Query Closed

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI

RQ19001 Recall Query Closed

Loss of Power Steering Assist

RQ18002 Recall Query Closed

Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure

CHEVROLET CHEVROLET

RQ18001 Recall Query Closed

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

BMW BMW

RQ17010 Recall Query Closed

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

FORD EXPEDITION

RQ17009 Recall Query Closed

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN

RQ17007 Recall Query Closed

Exhaust Bellows Pipe Fracture Recall

RQ17008 Recall Query Closed

RQ17 - 008 Closing

FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER

RQ17006 Recall Query Closed

Step rivets may shear

RQ17005 Recall Query Closed

Door Latch Open While Driving

RQ17004 Recall Query Closed

Scope and Timeliness

HYUNDAI HYUNDAI

RQ17003 Recall Query Closed

Scope and Timeliness

KIA KIA

RQ17002 Recall Query Closed

Loss of Headlights

OLDSMOBILE OLDSMOBILE

RQ17001 Recall Query Closed

Steering Arm Capscrew Failures

RQ16001 Recall Query Closed

Brake Master Cylinder Failure

FORD F-150

RQ15004 Recall Query Closed

Software security vulnerability

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

RQ15003 Recall Query Closed

Post 14V-391 Headliner Fires

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ15002 Recall Query Closed

Wheelchair lift platform failure

RQ15001 Recall Query Closed

Occupant Classification System Failure

INFINITI INFINITI

RQ14005 Recall Query Closed

Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown

FORD PICKUP

RQ14004 Recall Query Closed

Trailer tire may contact floor

RQ14003 Recall Query Closed

Aerial Fire Apparatus Cable Failure

RQ14002 Recall Query Closed

Air Bag Non-Deployment/Engine Stall

CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

RQ14001 Recall Query Closed

Jeep inadvertent air bag deployment

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ13004 Recall Query Closed

Headliner Bracket Detachment

HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING

RQ13003 Recall Query Closed

Generator Control Module Fires

CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO

RQ13002 Recall Query Closed

Air Bag Non-deployment

CHEVROLET CHEVROLET

RQ13001 Recall Query Closed

Brake Light Malfunction

PONTIAC PONTIAC

RQ12001 Recall Query Closed

PDM Failures

RQ11001 Recall Query Closed

Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding

VOLVO VOLVO

RQ10004 Recall Query Closed

Electric Power Steering Failure

SATURN SATURN

RQ10003 Recall Query Closed

Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration

TOYOTA TOYOTA

RQ10002 Recall Query Closed

Motorcycle Stalling

RQ10001 Recall Query Closed

Handlebar Separation

RQ09004 Recall Query Closed

RUPTURING DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATORS

HONDA HONDA

RQ09003 Recall Query Closed

FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ09002 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

MAZDA TRIBUTE

RQ09001 Recall Query Closed

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION

CHEVROLET CHEVROLET

RQ08007 Recall Query Closed

STEERING NECK SEPARATION

RQ08006 Recall Query Closed

IGNITION PARK-SHIFT INTERLOCK

HONDA ACCORD

RQ08005 Recall Query Closed

FUEL SPIT-BACK DURING REFUELING

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ08004 Recall Query Closed

FRONT AXLE / TIRE OVERLOAD

RQ08003 Recall Query Closed

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE

MERCURY MERCURY

RQ08002 Recall Query Closed

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK

MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS

RQ08001 Recall Query Closed

HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

RQ07003 Recall Query Closed

FRONT WHEEL SEPARATION

FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS

RQ07002 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE

RQ07001 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

RQ06009 Recall Query Closed

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

RQ06008 Recall Query Closed

FAILED TAG AXLE SWING ARMS

RQ06007 Recall Query Closed

BRAKE BOOSTER ACCUMULATOR FAILURE

MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI

RQ06006 Recall Query Closed

INSTRUMENT PANEL FIRES

RQ06005 Recall Query Closed

LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION

RQ06004 Recall Query Closed

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN

RQ06003 Recall Query Closed

DRIVER'S SIDE DASH FIRE

VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN

RQ06002 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE STALLING

CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

RQ06001 Recall Query Closed

ENGINE STALL - CRANK POSITION SENSOR

NISSAN ALTIMA

RQ05003 Recall Query Closed

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE

SAAB SAAB

RQ05002 Recall Query Closed

HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB BREAKS OFF

FORD EXCURSION

RQ05001 Recall Query Closed

COUNTRY COACH CAMPAIGN 01V-170

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.

Compiled by PlainCars