Investigations
SERVICE BRAKE SUPPLY TANK SEPARATION
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04047 - closed, opened 2004-06-18.
NHTSA investigation PE04047 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-06-18 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-08-30 - 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 PE04047 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 TO EVALUATE VAN HOOL'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN INSTEAD OF A SAFETY RECALL TO REPAIR THE SERVICE BRAKE AIR TANK MOUNTING BRACKETS THAT ARE FAILING. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE C..." 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
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED TO EVALUATE VAN HOOL'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN INSTEAD OF A SAFETY RECALL TO REPAIR THE SERVICE BRAKE AIR TANK MOUNTING BRACKETS THAT ARE FAILING. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE NECESSARY FOR PROPER SERVICE BRAKE APPLICATION. IN ADDITION, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED AIR TANK COULD SEPARATE FROM THE BUS, STRIKING VEHICLES OPERATING BEHIND OR AROUND THE AFFECTED BUS. AS THE RESULT OF THE AGENCY¿S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, VAN HOOL HAS AGREED TO INITIATE A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN AND MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE AIR TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM OF 677 BUSES (MOTORCOACHES). THE ACTION TAKEN BY VAN HOOL IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. A COPY OF THE SAFETY 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.
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.