Investigations
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA86026 — closed, opened 1986-08-28 and involving the MASERATI MASERATI.
NHTSA investigation EA86026 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1986-08-28 and currently closed. The subject of record is MASERATI MASERATI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MASERATI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1987-11-18 — 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 EA86026 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: MASERATI BELIEVES THE CAUSE OF THE FIRES TO BE OWNER MIS-USE OF THE MANUAL CHOKE.ANALYSIS: IF THE MANUAL CHOKE IS LEFT ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, PARTICULARLY DURING..." 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 MASERATI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY: MASERATI BELIEVES THE CAUSE OF THE FIRES TO BE OWNER MIS-USE OF THE MANUAL CHOKE.ANALYSIS: IF THE MANUAL CHOKE IS LEFT ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, PARTICULARLY DURING IDLING OR URBAN DRIVING. THE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF THE SURROUNDING WIRING HOSES, INSULATION, ETC. CAN RESULT IN SMOKE, FUMES, AND FIRE.STATUS: MASERATI RECALL RETROFITTING DUMP VALVE FOR SECONDARY AIR TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS PREVENTS CATALYST OVERHEATING. ALL 1984 AND 1985 BITURBOS WERE RECALLED PER 87V-151. CLOSED 11/18/87.===
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 MASERATI Investigations
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.