Investigations
UNEXPECTED CLOSING OF POWER LIFTGATE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA06020 - closed, opened 2006-12-01 and involving the TOYOTA TOYOTA.
NHTSA investigation EA06020 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2006-12-01 and currently closed. The subject of record is TOYOTA TOYOTA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for TOYOTA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2008-06-25 - 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 EA06020 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: "ON MAY 30, 2008, TOYOTA INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE STRUTS IN APPROXIMATELY 196,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER LIFTGATES (RECALL 08V-244). THE RECALL WILL PROVID..." 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 TOYOTA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ON MAY 30, 2008, TOYOTA INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE STRUTS IN APPROXIMATELY 196,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER LIFTGATES (RECALL 08V-244). THE RECALL WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VEHICLE OWNERS TO OBTAIN NEW STRUTS THAT ARE MORE ROBUST. BASED ON THESE ACTIONS, THE AGENCY HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE INVESTIGATION. WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT MADE A DECISION THAT THE RECALLED VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT, IN VIEW OF THE RECALL, FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY'S RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ANY FINDING BY NHTSA. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
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 TOYOTA Investigations
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Electrical problems / No-start
Joyson Passenger Side Air Bag Cushion
Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
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.