Investigations
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BINDING
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA08024 — closed, opened 2008-10-28 and involving the TOYOTA TOYOTA.
NHTSA investigation EA08024 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2008-10-28 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 2009-07-16 — 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 EA08024 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'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED IN JUST 0.2 PERCENT OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. WHEN THE ANALYSIS IS LIMITED TO SALT-BELT STATES, THE RATE IS STILL WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT..." 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
ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS OCCURRED IN JUST 0.2 PERCENT OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. WHEN THE ANALYSIS IS LIMITED TO SALT-BELT STATES, THE RATE IS STILL WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION (0.4 PERCENT). IN ADDITION, TESTS CONDUCTED BY ODI AND TOYOTA HAVE SHOWN THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS A MINIMAL AFFECT ON STEERING EFFORTS. ODI INTERVIEWS OF OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT INDICATED THAT IN MOST CASES THE PROBLEM WAS PRECEDED BY MONTHS OR YEARS OF NOISE OR A GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORTS IN THE INITIAL STEERING MANEUVERS AFTER FIRST STARTING A COLD VEHICLE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR 4 TO 5 YEARS WITH NO CRASHES OR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT. TOYOTA'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REFER TO THE EA08-024 CLOSING 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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.