Investigations
RETRACTABLE PLATFORM STEP LADDER
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04069 - closed, opened 2004-09-29.
NHTSA investigation PE04069 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-09-29 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-01-25 - 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 PE04069 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 JULY 2004, BUSTIN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS ISSUED TWO SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESSING ISSUES CONCERNING POSSIBLE LADDER FAILURE. THE FIRST BULLETIN PERTAINED TO STEEL LADDERS. THERE ARE TWO CONCERNS: 1) UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIO..." 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
IN JULY 2004, BUSTIN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS ISSUED TWO SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESSING ISSUES CONCERNING POSSIBLE LADDER FAILURE. THE FIRST BULLETIN PERTAINED TO STEEL LADDERS. THERE ARE TWO CONCERNS: 1) UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SIDE PINS BECOME LOOSE AND BACK OUT; AND 2) THE LADDER STRINGERS DEVELOP CRACKS. THE SECOND BULLETIN PERTAINED TO ALUMINUM LADDERS. THE CONCERN WITH THESE LADDERS IS THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR WELD BREAKAGE ON THE STEPS. ANY OF THESE FAILURES CAN RESULT IN A "FALL INJURY." THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED TO UNDERSTAND BUSTIN'S RATIONALE FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, BUSTIN HAS AGREED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE SUBJECT LADDERS. 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.
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.