Investigations
Engine RPM's surging during pumping mode
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA11008 - closed, opened 2011-06-27.
NHTSA investigation EA11008 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2011-06-27 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2012-11-09 - 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 EA11008 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 10, 2011 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-001) based on a Product Improvement Program (PIP) (ODI TSB #10036912) submitted by Caterpillar dated August 18, 2010. T..." 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
On January 10, 2011 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-001) based on a Product Improvement Program (PIP) (ODI TSB #10036912) submitted by Caterpillar dated August 18, 2010. The PIP was intended to address engine RPMs that could surge while the fire fighting vehicle was in a water pumping mode. This engine surge could cause significant fluctuations in water pressure being directed onto a fire through a hose. The bulletin states that this condition in conjunction with other factors or circumstances could "result in a risk of personal injury or death". Caterpillar's PIP provided information involving the installation of new engine software on certain fire trucks with C9 engines. On June 27, 2011 ODI upgraded its investigation to an Engineering Analysis. No information request (IR) letter was sent to Pierce, instead a field inspection of a Pierce fire truck was conducted. In August 2011 representatives from ODI, the Vehicle Research and Test Center and Pierce conducted an on-site fire truck performance inspection of a complaint vehicle in Sherwood, Arizona. The purpose was to jointly inspect a complaint vehicle that was recently outfitted with updated engine software. The Sherwood fire truck engine was started and remained idling while the fire truck was set in water pumping mode. The representatives were able to witness the effects of the new software with regards to engine surge and verified that the alleged defect did not exist during this vehicle examination. The new engine software corrected the problem of fire hose pressure fluctuations in water being directed onto a fire. It was determined during the course of this investigation that the PIP released by Caterpillar and conducted on Pierce vehicles should be submitted to NHTSA as a safety recall. During discussions with NHTSA, Pierce was informed that NHTSA had authority over the safety of vehicles even when not in highway use. Following these discussions, Pierce agree
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.