Investigations
REAR SUSPENSION SEPARATION/FAILURE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA03006 - closed, opened 2003-04-29 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation EA03006 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2003-04-29 and currently closed. The subject of record is INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for INTERNATIONAL. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-01-23 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA03006 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS INVESTIGATION FOCUSED ON FAILURES OF VELVET-RIDE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. THE VELVET- RIDE SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2002 INTERNATIONAL 4700LP TRUCKS WITH AMBULANCE BODIES. THEY USED A UNIQUE METHOD OF INSTALLA..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related INTERNATIONAL files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION FOCUSED ON FAILURES OF VELVET-RIDE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. THE VELVET- RIDE SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IN 1998 - 2002 INTERNATIONAL 4700LP TRUCKS WITH AMBULANCE BODIES. THEY USED A UNIQUE METHOD OF INSTALLATION, THAT BEING FLANGE HEAD BOLTS, WHEREAS ALL OTHER VELVET-RIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM MODELS USED EITHER U-BOLTS OR STUDS WITH NUTS. WHEN THE FLANGE BOLTS FAILED, THE REAR AXLE WOULD SOMETIMES EJECT FROM THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE FAILURES WERE CORROSION OF THE BOLTS AND EXCESSIVE LOADING OF THE SUSPENSION BY AN AFTER MARKET SYSTEM USED TO "PULL DOWN" THE BODY TO FACILITATE LOADING PATIENTS INTO THE AMBULANCE. ALL TRUCKS WILL BE RETRO-FITED WITH AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF A PROVEN DESIGN. INSTALLATION OF THE NEW SUSPENSION IS BEING COORDINATED WITH INTERNATIONAL TRUCK, THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER. INTERNATIONAL'S DEALER NETWORK WILL PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. THE VELVET-RIDE SUSPENSION PRODUCT LINE WAS SOLD TO LORD CORPORATION IN 2001. LORD HAS NOT SOLD THIS MODEL FOR ANY NEW INSTALLATIONS SINCE IT ACQUIRED THE PRODUCT LINE. THE EA WAS ORIGINALLY OPENED ON LORD CORPORATION SINCE AT THAT TIME, ODI BELIEVED LORD WAS THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other INTERNATIONAL Investigations
International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall
Software security vulnerability
Software security vulnerability
Headlight failures/fires
Brake S-Cam Tube Bracket Failure
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.