Investigations
FINGER PINCH POINT
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE05019 - closed, opened 2005-04-21 and involving the NISSAN NISSAN.
NHTSA investigation PE05019 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2005-04-21 and currently closed. The subject of record is NISSAN NISSAN, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for NISSAN. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-08-19 - 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 PE05019 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: "ODI HAS RECEIVED FIVE REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED USING THE VEHICLE'S SECOND-ROW SEAT RELEASE LEVER TO FOLD THE SECOND ROW SEAT. NISSAN STATES, "...THE CUSTOMER OPERATION OF THE LEVER IN SOME CASES AND..." 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 NISSAN files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI HAS RECEIVED FIVE REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED USING THE VEHICLE'S SECOND-ROW SEAT RELEASE LEVER TO FOLD THE SECOND ROW SEAT. NISSAN STATES, "...THE CUSTOMER OPERATION OF THE LEVER IN SOME CASES AND SUBSEQUENT ORIENTATION OF THEIR FINGERS IS DIFFERENT THAN EXPECTED." NISSAN ALSO REPORTED ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS FOR A TOTAL OF 11 INJURIES. NISSAN MODIFIED THE LEVER FOR PRODUCTION TWICE. THE LATEST (SECOND MODIFICATION) DESIGN PROVIDES A LARGER SIZED HANDLE THAT CONTAINS A "CUP" INTO WHICH THE SEAT OCCUPANT CAN PLACE THEIR FINGERS TO OPERATE THE ADJUSTMENT LEVER. NISSAN REPORTS NO INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE "CUP" DESIGN LEVER. BEGINNING JUNE 2004, NISSAN INITIATED A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INITIATIVE" THAT INCLUDED REPLACING THE ORIGINAL DESIGN HANDLE WITH THE FIRST MODIFICATION HANDLE (THIS IS NOT THE "CUP" DESIGN HANDLE MENTIONED ABOVE). THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-012) TO ALLOW FURTHER ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUE.
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 NISSAN Investigations
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
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.