Investigations
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03014 - closed, opened 2003-04-15 and involving the HONDA HONDA.
NHTSA investigation PE03014 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-04-15 and currently closed. The subject of record is HONDA HONDA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HONDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-09-05 - 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 PE03014 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: "SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES. THE NOTED INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY PARKED IN NEUTRAL STRUCK THE EXITING..." 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
SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES. THE NOTED INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY PARKED IN NEUTRAL STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR. THE WARRANTY CLAIM COUNT SHOWN FOR "OTHER" REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE HONDA'S ANALYSIS OF CLAIM DETAIL INDICATES THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM UTILIZES A LEVER TO BLOCK IGNITION KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK. HONDA HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAR CONDITION OF THE INTERLOCK LEVER THAT CAN CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION; WHEN WEAR OCCURS THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION. HONDA DOCUMENTS INDICATE THAT A MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF INTERLOCK LEVER WEAR, AND THAT THIS PROCESS WAS REVISED IN JANUARY OF 2001. AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND ITS SCOPE.
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. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.