Investigations
HIGH TEMP,FUEL EXP.
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA88011 - closed, opened 1987-12-22.
NHTSA investigation EA88011 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1987-12-22 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1989-09-28 - 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 EA88011 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: THE SUSPECT UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH NON-GM FUEL TANKS WITH SIDE ENTRY RATHER THAN TOP OR CORNER ENTRY. EXTENSIVE USE OF RUBBER FUEL HOSE MATERIAL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL RESERVOIR SY..." 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
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: THE SUSPECT UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH NON-GM FUEL TANKS WITH SIDE ENTRY RATHER THAN TOP OR CORNER ENTRY. EXTENSIVE USE OF RUBBER FUEL HOSE MATERIAL THROUGHOUT THE FUEL RESERVOIR SYSTEM.ANALYSIS: HIGH UNDERHOOD/UNDERCARRIAGE TEMPERATURES APPEARS TO EXIST IN THESE VEHICLES DEPENDING ON AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, ENGINE LOAD/TUNE, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. THE HIGH TEMPERATURES CAN CAUSE FUEL PRESSURIZATION POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FUEL EXPULSION. THE ELEVATED TEMPERATURES CAN ALSO RESULT IN THE THERMAL DEGRADATION/DETERIORATION OF THE NON-METALLIC FUEL RESERVOIR SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND OTHER UNDERHOOD/ UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS.STATUS: OPEN AN EA AND SEND AN INFORMATION REQUEST. #===
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.