Investigations
ENGINE SURGE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA87021 - closed, opened 1987-06-29 and involving the MERCURY MERCURY.
NHTSA investigation EA87021 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1987-06-29 and currently closed. The subject of record is MERCURY MERCURY, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MERCURY. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1989-03-16 - 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 EA87021 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: "THE MANUFACTURER WAS INITIALLY CONTACTED UNDER DP87-003, SUDDEN ACCELER-ATION OF 1983-86 FORD, MERCURY, AND LINCOLN CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 AND 5.0LITER ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BYTHE..." 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 MERCURY files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THE MANUFACTURER WAS INITIALLY CONTACTED UNDER DP87-003, SUDDEN ACCELER-ATION OF 1983-86 FORD, MERCURY, AND LINCOLN CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 AND 5.0LITER ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BYTHE MANUFACTURER DEALING WITH SURGING HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE SUBJECTINVESTIGATIVE FILE.STATUS: ANALYSIS IS CONTINUING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS AN IDENTIFIABLEDEFECT TREND INVOLVING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF VEHICLES, OR ANY OF THESPECIFIC 38 COMBINATIONS OF MODEL AND MODEL YEAR WITHIN THE POPULATION.BACKGROUND:UPON COMPLETION OF THE ANALYSIS OF DP87-003, THE PETITION WAS GRANTED FORFURTHER REVIEW OF ENGINE SURGING. IN THE PETITION ANALYSIS, A DISTINCTIONWAS MADE BETWEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY INEFFECTIVE BRAKES, ASOPPOSED TO SURGING WHICH MAY OCCUR IN SITUATIONS THAT ALLOW INSUFFICIENTTIME AND SPACE TO AVOID COLLISION WHEN EXPERIENCED IN CLOSE QUARTERS. THEINFORMATION ACQUIRED INDICATED THAT ALLEGATIONS OF WIDE-OPEN THROTTLESUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH RENDERED THE SERVICE BRAKES INEFFECTIVE WAS NOTAN ISSUE REQUIRING FURTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTION. HOWEVER, THE DETAILS OFTHE MAJORITY OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS INDICATED THAT ENGINE SURGING ASDESCRIBED ABOVE, PRESENTED QUESTIONS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATIVEREVIEW. ON THIS BASIS, THE SUBJECT EA WAS INITIATED.ANALYSIS OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ACCUMULATED UNDER DP87-003 DISCLOSEDTHAT THE ABOVE TABULATIONS OF COMPLAINTS, ACCIDENTS, AND INJURIES FALLWITHIN THE DEFINITION OF ENGINE SURGING AS DEFINED IN THE PRECEDINGPARAGRAPH.===
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 MERCURY Investigations
Extended Braking Distance
Extended Braking Distance
Loss of headlights
Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
Loss of Steering Control
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.