Investigations
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER (CCT)
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03033 — closed, opened 2003-07-23 and involving the SUZUKI SUZUKI.
NHTSA investigation PE03033 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-07-23 and currently closed. The subject of record is SUZUKI SUZUKI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for SUZUKI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-11-13 — 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 PE03033 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: "SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE SAFETY-RELATED PERFORMANCE OF SUZUKI'S REMEDY IN RECALL 99V-312, ODI HAS: CONTACTED AFFECTED OWNERS; DISCUSSED THE REMEDY'S PERFORMANCE WITH SUZUKI SERVICE DEPTS; OBTAINED A..." 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 SUZUKI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE SAFETY-RELATED PERFORMANCE OF SUZUKI'S REMEDY IN RECALL 99V-312, ODI HAS: CONTACTED AFFECTED OWNERS; DISCUSSED THE REMEDY'S PERFORMANCE WITH SUZUKI SERVICE DEPTS; OBTAINED AN OE CCT, AN ORIGINAL REMEDY CCT, AND A FINAL REMEDY CCT; AND REVIEWED SUZUKI'S RESPONSE TO OUR INFORMATION REQUEST. THE RECALL WAS LAUNCED ON MAY 20, 1999. SHORTLY THEREAFTER SUZUKI RECEIVED REPORTS OF REMEDY CCT FAILURES, MOST INVOLVING CAM CHAIN NOISE. OF THE 141 REPORTS INVOLVING A REMEDY CCT FAILURE, SIX INVOLVED INCIDENTS OCCURING IN 2003, WITH APRIL 28, 2003 BEING THE MOST RECENT OCCURANCE. IN CALENDAR YEARS 2000-2002 THERE WERE 130 REPORTED REMEDY CCT FAILURES. OF THE 141 REPORTS, 113 INVOLVE CAM CHAIN NOISE AND 26 CONCERN CAM TIMING. THE LONE CRASH OCCURRED ON APRIL 25, 2001. CURRENTLY, NO DEFECT TREND EXISTS WITH THE REMEDY CCTS.
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 SUZUKI Investigations
Loss of headlights
Motorcycle Stalling
Occupant Classification System Failure
HEADLIGHT / DRL MALFUNCTION
MOTORCYCLE STALLING
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.