Investigations
FAILURE OF SPRING HANGERS
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA85036 - closed, opened 1985-07-31 and involving the FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER.
NHTSA investigation EA85036 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1985-07-31 and currently closed. The subject of record is FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FREIGHTLINER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1987-05-22 - 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 EA85036 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: "SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: FREIGHTLINER BELIEVES THATLOOSENING OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRING HANGER BRACKET MOUNTING BOLTS DOESNOT POSE A HAZARD TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. THEY STATE THAT THE LOOSENINGOF SUC..." 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 FREIGHTLINER files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: FREIGHTLINER BELIEVES THATLOOSENING OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRING HANGER BRACKET MOUNTING BOLTS DOESNOT POSE A HAZARD TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. THEY STATE THAT THE LOOSENINGOF SUCH FASTENERS DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.THEY CLAIM THAT SEPARATION OF THESE BOLTS WOULD OCCUR ONLY IF THE OPERATORWERE NEGLIGENT BY REPEATEDLY FAILING TO DO THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.ANALYSIS: LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON ATTACHING HARDWARE APPEARS TO BE THEPRIMARY CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED PROBLEM. FREIGHTLINER RECTIFIED THE PROBLEMBY SWITCHING TO A LARGER FASTENER IN 1983.STATUS: AT FREIGHTLINER'S REQUEST, A MEETING WAS HELD ON MARCH 2, 1987 INRESPONSE TO OUR RECALL REQUEST LETTER OF FEBRUARY 3RD. DURING THE MEETINGFREIGHTLINER WAS GRANTED AN EXTENSION (UNTIL MARCH 23, 1987) TO REPLY TOTHE RECALL REQUEST. REPLY RECEIVED ON 3/20/87. FREIGHTLINER DECLINED TORECALL. THIS EA WAS CLOSED ON 5/22/87.===
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 FREIGHTLINER Investigations
EVDM connector plate separation
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
Trolley bus circuit breaker fires
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
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.