Investigations
SEVAS S-10 AFTERMARKET WHEEL RIMS
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA08003 — closed, opened 2008-01-23 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation EA08003 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2008-01-23 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 2009-02-04 — 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 EA08003 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 JANUARY 29, 2009, EUROTRENZ, PARENT COMPANY OF SEVAS WHEELS INC., NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WOULD RECALL ALL SEVAS S-10 WHEEL RIMS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ONE PIECE CAST ALUMINUM S-10 WHEEL RIM WAS MANUFACTURED FOR..." 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
ON JANUARY 29, 2009, EUROTRENZ, PARENT COMPANY OF SEVAS WHEELS INC., NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WOULD RECALL ALL SEVAS S-10 WHEEL RIMS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ONE PIECE CAST ALUMINUM S-10 WHEEL RIM WAS MANUFACTURED FOR SEVAS BY HUBEI INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AKA FRACING WHEELS CO., OF WUHAN, CHINA. METALLURGICAL AND IMPACT TESTING PERFORMED BY NHTSA'S VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TESTING CENTER (VRTC) REVEALED CERTAIN SEVAS S-10 WHEEL RIMS WERE FOUND TO BE BELOW ASTM SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE DESIGNATED COMPOSITION MATERIAL, RESULTING IN A BRITTLE CONDITION. CERTAIN S-10 WHEELS TESTED ALSO FAILED IMPACT TESTING CONDUCTED BY THE VRTC. THESE RESULTS WERE IN CONTRAST TO SIMILAR CAST ALUMINUM AFTERMARKET WHEEL RIMS WHICH PASSED THE SAME TESTING PERFORMED BY THE VRTC. AS A RECALL REMEDY SEVAS WILL REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OR REPLACE THE S-10 WHEEL RIM. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED.
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.