Investigations
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03009 — closed, opened 2003-02-25 and involving the FORD CROWN VICTORIA.
NHTSA investigation PE03009 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-02-25 and currently closed. The subject of record is FORD CROWN VICTORIA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FORD. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-08-08 — 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 PE03009 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 SUBJECT WHEEL (NEW FOR MY 2003) IS USED ON CROWN VICTORIA (CV) AND GRAND MARQUIS. COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES THAT WHEEL FAILURE AFFECTS PRIMARILY THE COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATION CV MODEL (POLICE AND TAXI) WHICH HAS UNIQUE..." 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 FORD files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THE SUBJECT WHEEL (NEW FOR MY 2003) IS USED ON CROWN VICTORIA (CV) AND GRAND MARQUIS. COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES THAT WHEEL FAILURE AFFECTS PRIMARILY THE COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATION CV MODEL (POLICE AND TAXI) WHICH HAS UNIQUE DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS AND IS GENERALLY SUBJECTED TO HIGHER USAGE DEMANDS. DURING FORD'S ANALYSIS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT FATIGUE COULD CAUSE RIM CRACKS TO OCCUR IN THE HEAT AFFECTED ZONE ADJACENT TO THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD. FORD IMPLEMENTED CHANGES IN WHEEL MANUFACTURE IN SEPTEMBER 2002 AND INTRODUCED A NEW WHEEL DESIGN WITH A THICKER RIM IN APRIL 2003. ODI FOUND EVIDENCE THAT INDICATED RAPID CRACK PROPOGATION MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED IN SEVEN WHEEL FAILURE INCIDENTS, TWO OF WHICH LEAD TO TIRE DEBEADING. FORD HAS ANNOUNCED THAT 29,946 COMMERCIAL SPEC CV VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO THE SEPTEMBER CHANGE, WILL BE RECALLED TO HAVE THE APRIL 2003 DESIGN WHEEL INSTALLED. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR FOR WHEEL FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.
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 FORD Investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.