Investigations
PINTLE HOOK PIN FRACTURES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA08019 - closed, opened 2008-08-29.
NHTSA investigation EA08019 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2008-08-29 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2009-11-05 - 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 EA08019 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: "ODI HAS CONCLUDED THAT PINS ARE MOST LIKELY TO FRACTURE WHEN THREE ESSENTIAL (ALL THREE APPEAR TO BE NECESSARY) FACTORS CONVERGE: (1) TOW BAR LENGTHS AND GEOMETRIES SIMILAR TO THOSE USED EXTENSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA WHICH C..." 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
ODI HAS CONCLUDED THAT PINS ARE MOST LIKELY TO FRACTURE WHEN THREE ESSENTIAL (ALL THREE APPEAR TO BE NECESSARY) FACTORS CONVERGE: (1) TOW BAR LENGTHS AND GEOMETRIES SIMILAR TO THOSE USED EXTENSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA WHICH CAN IMPOSE LEVERAGED EXCESS-ARTICULATION FORCES ON THE PINTLE HOOK ASSEMBLY AND PIN; (2) TRANSFER DUMP VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN OPERATED AT FULL TO EXCESS CRAMP MANEUVERS AS INDICATED BY CONTACT DAMAGE / BRUISING / BRINELLING OF THE BODY OF PIN; (3) PINS MANUFACTURED WITH DIMENSIONAL, GEOMETRIC AND/OR SURFACE CONDITION CHARACTERISTICS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF CRACK INITIATION. ODI HAS RAISED A NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS AND ISSUES WHICH ARE SUMMARIZED IN THIS REPORT AND THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED WITH PACCAR AND PREMIER. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE IDENTIFIED SUSPECT ISSUES IS UNLIKELY TO PROVIDE A DIFFERENT RESOLUTION. FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR JUSTIFIED SINCE THE AFFECTED MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN APPRISED OF ODI FINDINGS, TAKEN CERTAIN RESPONSIVE ACTIONS AND THE REPORTED INCIDENTS HAVE ABATED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE CLOSING REPORT FOR FURTHER 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.