Investigations
CROSSMEMBER CORROSION FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE06021 - closed, opened 2006-06-12 and involving the CHEVROLET CHEVROLET.
NHTSA investigation PE06021 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2006-06-12 and currently closed. The subject of record is CHEVROLET CHEVROLET, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CHEVROLET. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2006-10-30 - 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 PE06021 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 SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2006 GENERAL MOTORS (GM) SUBMITTED INFORMATION REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 128,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 -2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO GM, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT CROSSM..." 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 CHEVROLET files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2006 GENERAL MOTORS (GM) SUBMITTED INFORMATION REGARDING APPROXIMATELY 128,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 -2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO GM, THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH FRONT CROSSMEMBERS DESIGNED AND MADE BY SUZUKI THAT CAN RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION. THE DESIGN OF THE CROSSMEMBER LIMITED THE COVERAGE OF PAINT ON THE INTERIOR SURFACES DURING THE PAINTING PROCESS. IN MARCH 2006 SUZUKI MADE DESIGN CHANGES TO THE CROSSMEMBER TO ENHANCE THE COVERAGE OF PAINT TO THE INSIDE OF THE PART. GM INDICATED THAT WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT USE ROAD SALT FOR DE-ICING, OVER TIME WATER AND SALT/MUD CAN ACCUMULATE INSIDE THE CROSSMEMBER AND CAUSE CREVICE CORROSION THAT CAN LEAD TO PERFORATION. THESE PERFORATIONS AT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BRACKETS CAN CAUSE THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO BECOME PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. GM PROVIDED VEHICLE TEST DATA SHOWING THAT CROSSMEMBERS THAT FAIL IN THIS MANNER DO NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND, THEREFORE, DO NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-018) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.
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 CHEVROLET Investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
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.