Investigations
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA03024 — closed, opened 2003-11-19 and involving the SUBARU SUBARU.
NHTSA investigation EA03024 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2003-11-19 and currently closed. The subject of record is SUBARU SUBARU, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for SUBARU. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-07-12 — 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 EA03024 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: "DURING THE EA, ODI AND VRTC PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: 1. CONDUCTED A MAIL SURVEY OF 246 SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS TO DETERMINE THE ROADWAY SURFACE THAT CAUSED OWNERS' CONCERN; 2. INTERVIEWED COMPLAINING OWNERS; 3...." 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 SUBARU files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
DURING THE EA, ODI AND VRTC PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: 1. CONDUCTED A MAIL SURVEY OF 246 SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS TO DETERMINE THE ROADWAY SURFACE THAT CAUSED OWNERS' CONCERN; 2. INTERVIEWED COMPLAINING OWNERS; 3. CONDUCTED FIELD INSPECTIONS OF SEVEN (7) COMPLAINT VEHICLES; 4. INSTRUMENTED TESTING AT VRTC OF COMPLAINT AND "PEER" VEHICLES; 5. REVIEWED SUBARU'S RESPONSE TO OUR INFORMATION REQUEST; 6. MET WITH SUBARU FOR TECHNICAL REVIEW OF TESTING AS A RESULT OF THE WORK CONDUCTED BY VRTC AND ODI DURING THIS INVESTIGAITON, A CONSISTENT OR CHRONIC PATTERN OF POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. VRTC CONDUCTED OVER 11,500 BRAKE TESTS. THEY DID NOT OBSERVE ANY LONG-DURATION, LOW DECELERATION EVENTS (SOME OWNERS REPORTED DELAYS OF 4 TO 10 SECONDS) IN THE TEST VEHICLES. SEE ODI'S CLOSING REPORT AND VRTC'S TEST REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS
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 SUBARU Investigations
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.