Investigations
FRONT AXLE BEARING FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE02091 — closed, opened 2002-12-03 and involving the PETERBILT PETERBILT.
NHTSA investigation PE02091 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2002-12-03 and currently closed. The subject of record is PETERBILT PETERBILT, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for PETERBILT. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-05-23 — 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 PE02091 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: "THE COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER ARE: SKF (HUB MFR), ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR), AND PACCAR, THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FOR KENWORTH AND PETERBILT, ( MANUFACTURERS OF CLASS VIII TRACTOR-TRAILERS). SKF IDENTIFIED..." 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 PETERBILT files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THE COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER ARE: SKF (HUB MFR), ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR), AND PACCAR, THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FOR KENWORTH AND PETERBILT, ( MANUFACTURERS OF CLASS VIII TRACTOR-TRAILERS). SKF IDENTIFIED MANUFACTURING DEFECTS FOR SPECIFIC BUILD DATES ON FRONT AXLE HUB AND BEARINGS (WHEEL BEARINGS) SUPPLIED TO ARVIN MERITOR. AS A RESULT, ARVINMERITOR NOTIFIED PACCAR WHO IN TURN NOTIFIED THEIR TRUCK DIVISIONS OF THE DEFECTIVE UNITS. AS A RESULT, 220 TRUCKS ARE BEING RECALLED BY PACCAR FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT AXLE WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH MAY FAIL IN SUCH A WAY THAT A WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL BEARING FIRE OCCURS. SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT AND DEFECT REPORTS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
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 PETERBILT Investigations
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.