Investigations
UNLATCHING OF THE CARRY HANDLE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03040 - closed, opened 2003-08-22.
NHTSA investigation PE03040 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-08-22 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-01-23 - 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 PE03040 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 ON MY WAY IS A REAR FACING INFANT CAR SEAT THAT IS DESIGNED FOR INFANT CHILDREN. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARRY HANDLE AND MAY ALSO BE USED OUTSIDE OF A VEHICLE AS AN INFANT CARRIER (REFER TO FIGURE 1 ON PAGE TWO). THIS..." 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
THE ON MY WAY IS A REAR FACING INFANT CAR SEAT THAT IS DESIGNED FOR INFANT CHILDREN. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A CARRY HANDLE AND MAY ALSO BE USED OUTSIDE OF A VEHICLE AS AN INFANT CARRIER (REFER TO FIGURE 1 ON PAGE TWO). THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON AUGUST 22, 2003 BASED ON 60 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED UNLATCHING OF THE CARRY HANDLE ON SEATS PRODUCED AFTER JULY 27, 1997. ODI CONCLUDES FROM THE AVAILABLE DATA AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND IN REPORTS THAT FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.
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.