Investigations
BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER HOSE COLLAPSES
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE06041 — closed, opened 2006-09-18 and involving the MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI.
NHTSA investigation PE06041 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2006-09-18 and currently closed. The subject of record is MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MITSUBISHI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2007-01-05 — 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 PE06041 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 BASED ON ODI'S RECEIPT OF EWR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO COLLAPSING BRAKE VACUUM HOSES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES OF CONCERN ARE MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, MODEL YEARS 2006 - 2007, MODELS..." 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 MITSUBISHI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON ODI'S RECEIPT OF EWR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO COLLAPSING BRAKE VACUUM HOSES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES OF CONCERN ARE MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS, MODEL YEARS 2006 - 2007, MODELS FE84D, FE85D AND FG84D. ODI MET WITH MITSUBISHI OFFICIALS AND DROVE A TRUCK WITH THE COLLAPSED HOSE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE CAN FLATTEN OR COLLAPSE WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN, RESULTING IN DEGRADATION (REDUCED VACUUM) OF THE BRAKE POWER-ASSIST SYSTEM. THE REDUCTION IN AVAILABLE ENGINE VACUUM TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO APPLY INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE TO ACHIEVE THE EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI LEARNED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT WALL THICKNESS, ALLOWING THE HOSE TO COLLAPSE DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. DURING THE RECALL MITSUBISHI WILL REPLACE ALL VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER HOSES ON THE APPLICABLE TRUCKS. THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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 MITSUBISHI Investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Extended Stopping Distance
Clutch Interlock Switch Malfunction
GASOLINE LEAKS
PASSENGER DOOR FIRE
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.