Investigations
STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA88006 - closed, opened 1987-11-03 and involving the MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA investigation EA88006 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1987-11-03 and currently closed. The subject of record is MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MITSUBISHI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1988-04-01 - 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 EA88006 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: "BOTH CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHIINDEPENDENTLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT LOADINGTRANSMITTED TO THE SHAFT BY THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM -- IN OTHER WORDSS..." 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 MITSUBISHI 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: "BOTH CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHIINDEPENDENTLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT LOADINGTRANSMITTED TO THE SHAFT BY THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM -- IN OTHER WORDSSHAFT FAILURE IS THE RESULT, NOT THE CAUSE, OF THE ALLEGED COLLISIONCIRCUMSTANCES. MITSUBISHI (VEHICLE PRODUCER) DID STRENGTHEN THE SHAFTDURING THE 1984 MODEL YEAR BY INCREASING THE SPLINE AND BEARING JOURNALDIAMETERS."ANALYSIS: FAILING COMPONENT IS THE STEERING BOX CROSS SHAFT (OUTPUT SHAFT)WHICH BREAKS BETWEEN THE BOTTOM BEARING IN THE STEERING BOX AND THE PITMANARM. KNOWN FAILURES INVOLVE 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNITS WHICH ARE EQUIPPED WITHPOWER STEERING. CROSS SHAFT AND PITMAN ARM SALES ARE CONSIDERABLY HIGHERON THE 4 WD UNITS THAN THE 2 WD UNITS. CHRYSLER REPORTS THE CROSS SHAFTDIAMETER WAS INCREASED IN APRIL, 1984, "FOR INCREASED SHAFT STRENGTH TOIMPROVE ITS CAPABILITY TO WITHSTAND SEVERE IMPACT LOADS."PROPOSED ACTION: IR'S TO CHRYSLER AND MITSUBISHI SENT 11/16 - 17/87.AWAITING RESPONSES.===
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 MITSUBISHI Investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Extended Stopping Distance
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
GASOLINE LEAKS
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
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.