Investigations
FAILING SEAT BELT BUCKLES
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04060 — closed, opened 2004-08-17 and involving the CADILLAC CADILLAC.
NHTSA investigation PE04060 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-08-17 and currently closed. The subject of record is CADILLAC CADILLAC, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CADILLAC. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-02-03 — 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 PE04060 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: "ON AUGUST 17, 2004, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON TWO COMPLAINTS AND ONE INSURANCE COMPANY REPORT ALLEGING DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT UNBUCKLING DURING CRASHES ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 CADILLAC..." 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 CADILLAC files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ON AUGUST 17, 2004, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON TWO COMPLAINTS AND ONE INSURANCE COMPANY REPORT ALLEGING DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT UNBUCKLING DURING CRASHES ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 CADILLAC DEVILLE SEDANS. ON OCTOBER 8, 2004, GM SUBMITTED DATA TO ODI RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THIS DATA CONTAINED INFORMATION ABOUT SYSTEM DESIGN, SYSTEM OPERATION, SEAT BELT BUCKLE TESTING AND CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF THE DATA, ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED REGARDING SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF UNWANTED SEATBELT UNBUCKLING DURING A CRASH. AT THIS TIME, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO 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.
Other CADILLAC Investigations
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT 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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.