Investigations
MOTORCYCLE FIRES
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03037 - closed, opened 2003-07-29.
NHTSA investigation PE03037 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-07-29 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-10-29 - 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 PE03037 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: "ODI IS UNABLE TO STATE WITH CERTAINITY HOW MANY HOT GRIPS BRAND KITS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITH A POLYMER RESISTOR, DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INABILITY TO ACCOUNT FOR EACH SUCH KIT. HOWEVER, TO DATE, ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER..." 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.
Investigation Summary
ODI IS UNABLE TO STATE WITH CERTAINITY HOW MANY HOT GRIPS BRAND KITS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITH A POLYMER RESISTOR, DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INABILITY TO ACCOUNT FOR EACH SUCH KIT. HOWEVER, TO DATE, ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY OTHER FIRES AND /OR MELTED RESISTORS INVOLVING MORE THAN THE ONE FLEET INITIALLY REPORTING THE PROBLEM. THE SINGLE ODI COMPLAINT IS FROM A LOCAL WASHINGTON DC AREA POLICE MOTORCYCLE FLEET. OF IT 13 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTP MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH HOT GRIPS AND PLASTIC COATED RESISTORS, EIGHT WERE FOUND WITH MELTED RESISTORS AND ONE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BURNED AS A RESULT. ODI HAS NOT CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBJECT RESISTOR WAS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT IT IS AWARE OF ONLY THE SINGLE INCIDENT IDENTIFIED BY ODI WHEN THE INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED. IN THE ABSENCE OF A DEFECT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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.
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.