Investigations
WELD CRACKS
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA87017 - closed, opened 1987-04-22.
NHTSA investigation EA87017 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1987-04-22 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1990-05-15 - 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 EA87017 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: "ANALYSIS OF THE ALLEGED PROBLEM: THE CRACKING OF THE WELDED PATCH IS ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY TOYOTA'S CHANGE FROM BELTED TIRES TO RADIAL PLY TIRES. THE TIRE PRESSURE WITHIN THE INNER DUAL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE OUTER..." 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
ANALYSIS OF THE ALLEGED PROBLEM: THE CRACKING OF THE WELDED PATCH IS ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY TOYOTA'S CHANGE FROM BELTED TIRES TO RADIAL PLY TIRES. THE TIRE PRESSURE WITHIN THE INNER DUAL DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE OUTER DUAL GENERATING EXCESSIVELY HIGH LOADS ON THE WHEEL ATTACHMENT, AXLE SHAFT, AND AXLE BEARING.STATUS: INFORMATION REQUEST SENT TO SUNROSE TIRE ON 7/16/87. AWAITING RESPONSE. SUNROSE CALLED FOR AN EXTENSION ON 9/15/87. WAS TOLD TO PUT IT IN WRITING. RESPONSE DUE 11/30/87.===
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.
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.