Investigations
INCORRECT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BREAKER
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04025 - closed, opened 2004-03-15 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation PE04025 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-03-15 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 2004-04-27 - 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 PE04025 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: "IN LATE FEBRUARY 2004, FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL NOTIFIED OWNERS OF CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BY LETTER THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED CIRCUIT BREAKER DUE TO AN OVERRATED CIRCUIT BREAKER BEING INSTALLED 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 INTERNATIONAL files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
IN LATE FEBRUARY 2004, FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL NOTIFIED OWNERS OF CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BY LETTER THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED CIRCUIT BREAKER DUE TO AN OVERRATED CIRCUIT BREAKER BEING INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS ISSUE REPORTEDLY AFFECTS THE 110 VOLT (HOUSE CURRENT) SYSTEM OF THE COACH AND WOULD SUBJECT THE WIRES TO EXCESSIVE AMPERAGE AND OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A THERMAL EVENT, INSTEAD OF ACTIVATING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND INTERRUTING THE CURRENT FLOW IN THE EVENT OF A CIRCUIT FAULT BEING DETECTED IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. FOUR WINDS HAS AGREED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE BREAKERS ON ALL THE AFFECTED MOTOR HOMES WITH ONE OF PROPER AMPERAGE. THE ACTION TAKEN BY FOUR WINDS RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. A COPY OF THE RECALL IS ATTACHED. ACCORDINGLY, 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.
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.