Investigations
SUDDEN, UNFORESEEN TRANSMISSION LOCKU
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA05002 - closed, opened 2005-02-02.
NHTSA investigation EA05002 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2005-02-02 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2006-08-31 - 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 EA05002 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 DETERMINED THAT THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLE TRANSMISSIONS ARE PRONE TO SHIFTING PERFORMANCE ISSUES THAT OCCUR WELL BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE MANUFACTURER'S STATED INTENDED DESIGN..." 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.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLE TRANSMISSIONS ARE PRONE TO SHIFTING PERFORMANCE ISSUES THAT OCCUR WELL BEFORE THE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE MANUFACTURER'S STATED INTENDED DESIGN LIFE (30,000 MILES). POLARIS HAS TAKEN ACTIONS INCLUDING CARRYING OUT TWO SAFETY RECALLS TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN SOME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, CONDUCTING A SPECIAL POLICY, AND FORMALLY COMMUNICATING WITH ITS DEALERS AND SUBJECT OWNERS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. IN LIGHT OF THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE REPORTED PROBLEMS AND THESE ACTIVITIES BY POLARIS, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESCOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. SEE THE ATTACHED TECHNICAL 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.
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.