Investigations
SEAT FRAME BRACKET FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE02072 — closed, opened 2002-10-02 and involving the HONDA ACCORD.
NHTSA investigation PE02072 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2002-10-02 and currently closed. The subject of record is HONDA ACCORD, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HONDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-03-28 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE02072 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IN THE ODI DATABASE ALLEGING THAT THE POWER ASSISTED SEATS WERE FAILING IN CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES. FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE 1998-99 MODEL YEAR V..." 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 HONDA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IN THE ODI DATABASE ALLEGING THAT THE POWER ASSISTED SEATS WERE FAILING IN CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES. FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE 1998-99 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BASE IS FRACTURING DUE TO: 1-THE WELD CONDITION OF BRACKET, 2-THE DRIVERS WEIGHT, AND 3-THE IMPACT ON THE SEAT WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AND SITS DOWN. OVER TIME THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT MAY FAIL AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE SEAT BOTTOM. THE OTHER 3 POINTS OF ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BASE STAY ATTACHED AND THE SEAT MOVEMENT IS LIMITED. THE ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BACK DOES NOT FAIL. THE CONDITION IS MOST APPARENT DURING RAPID ACCELERATION CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT REARWARD. ALTHOUGH A FEW COMPLAINTS REPORT CONCERN OVER LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, NO LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS, CRASHES OR INJURIES ARE REPORTED. IN RESPONSE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, HONDA WILL PROVIDE OWNERS OF 1998 AND SOME 1999 ACCORDS A NO-COST REINFORCEMENT FOR THE SEAT AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other HONDA Investigations
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.