Investigations
STEERING SHAFT BOLT BINDS ON COVER
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03023 - closed, opened 2003-06-04 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation PE03023 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-06-04 and currently closed. The subject of record is INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for INTERNATIONAL. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-08-20 - 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 PE03023 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 INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SCHOOL BUS FLEET ALLEGING THAT A BUS DRIVER COULD NOT STEER WHILE ATTEMPING TO MAKE A TURN. A SECOND FLEET CONTACTED ODI AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ODI EXAMINED..." 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 INTERNATIONAL files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SCHOOL BUS FLEET ALLEGING THAT A BUS DRIVER COULD NOT STEER WHILE ATTEMPING TO MAKE A TURN. A SECOND FLEET CONTACTED ODI AND INDICATED THEY WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ODI EXAMINED THE BUSES AND FOUND THE STEERING BOOT GETS TWISTED AROUND THE STEERING SHAFT, CREATING HIGH STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. AS A RESULT OF THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, INTERNATIONAL HAS AGREED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN AND CORRECT THIS CONDITION ON 24,134 BUSES BUILT FROM 10/29/93 THROUGH 5/21/03. THE ACTION TAKEN BY INTERNATIONAL IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. CAMPAIGN NUMBER ASSIGNED IS 03V-264. A COPY OF THE SAFETY RECALL IS ATTACHED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. 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 INTERNATIONAL Investigations
International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall
Software security vulnerability
Software security vulnerability
Headlight failures/fires
Brake S-Cam Tube Bracket Failure
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.