Investigations
POWER STEERING STUD FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04015 - closed, opened 2004-02-18 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation PE04015 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-02-18 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 2004-06-04 - 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 PE04015 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 OPENED BASED ON A REPORT FROM A VIRGINIA SCHOOL BUS FLEET. THE FLEET REPORTED THAT ONE OF THEIR DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT SHE ¿COULD NOT STEER THE BUS.¿ AN INSPECTION OF THE BUS REVEALED THAT THE POWER..." 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 OPENED BASED ON A REPORT FROM A VIRGINIA SCHOOL BUS FLEET. THE FLEET REPORTED THAT ONE OF THEIR DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT SHE ¿COULD NOT STEER THE BUS.¿ AN INSPECTION OF THE BUS REVEALED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. THE FLEET THEN INSPECTED OTHER BUSES ON THE LOT AND FOUND FOUR BUSES WHERE THE BOLTS WERE EITHER MISSING, OR THE STUD HAD BROKEN. SUBSEQUENT STUD TESTING BY INTERNATIONAL REVEALED THE HARDNESS OF THE RETURNED STUDS WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION. INTERNATIONAL HAS AGREED TO INITATE A SAEFTY RECALL TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STUDS ON THE AFFECTED VEHILCES. A COPY OF THE 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.