Investigations
VEHICLE FIRES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA85042 — closed, opened 1985-08-16 and involving the VOLVO VOLVO WHITE.
NHTSA investigation EA85042 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1985-08-16 and currently closed. The subject of record is VOLVO VOLVO WHITE, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for VOLVO. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1987-04-23 — 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 EA85042 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: AMREP BLAMES VOLVO WHITE'S CHASSIS AND VOLVO WHITE BLAMES AMREP'SBODY FOR THE REPORTED FIRES. MOST OF THE AMREP VEHICLES WHICH CAUGHT ONFIRE UTILIZED A VOLVO WHITE CHASSIS AND MOST VOLVO WHITE RX-2 CHASSIS WHICH..." 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 VOLVO files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY: AMREP BLAMES VOLVO WHITE'S CHASSIS AND VOLVO WHITE BLAMES AMREP'SBODY FOR THE REPORTED FIRES. MOST OF THE AMREP VEHICLES WHICH CAUGHT ONFIRE UTILIZED A VOLVO WHITE CHASSIS AND MOST VOLVO WHITE RX-2 CHASSIS WHICHCAUGHT FIRE UTILIZED AN AMREP BODY.ANALYSIS: NO ONE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FIRES HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BUT MOD-IFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS MADE BY AMREP APPEAR TO HAVE INCREASED THE RATEOF FIRE INVOLVEMENT FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.STATUS: THIS EA WAS CLOSED ON APRIL 23, 1987.===
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 VOLVO Investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Ride Quality
Windshield Wiper Failures
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
Central Electronic Module 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.