Investigations
RESTRICTED BRAKE PEDAL MOVEMENT
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE07008 - closed, opened 2007-02-12.
NHTSA investigation PE07008 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2007-02-12 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2007-04-16 - 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 PE07008 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 WAS CONTACTED BY THE NEW YORK DOT WHO REPORTED SEVERAL BUSES FAILED BRAKING TESTS WHEN BEING TESTED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE SUBJECT SCHOOL BUSES ARE OPTIONED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL POSITIONING DEVICE..." 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
ODI WAS CONTACTED BY THE NEW YORK DOT WHO REPORTED SEVERAL BUSES FAILED BRAKING TESTS WHEN BEING TESTED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE SUBJECT SCHOOL BUSES ARE OPTIONED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL POSITIONING DEVICE THAT ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO RAISE AND LOWER THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT TO SUIT HIS/HER SEATING POSITION. WHEN THE LOWEST PEDAL POSITION IS SELECTED (BY A BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD), NYDOT REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BOTTOMED OUT ON THE FLOOR, THUS PREVENTING A FULL BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION. THIS RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKE TORQUE AT THE WHEEL ENDS. FREIGHTLINER WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE REMEDY CALLS FOR A LONGER PEDAL PUSH ROD BEING INSTALLED IN- PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL PUSH ROD. THEY ALSO INCREASED THE POPULATION TO INCLUDE THE MVP-ER MODEL BUSES. THIS RESOLVES THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY, 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.
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.