Investigations
INADVERTENT DOOR CLOSING
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE07012 - closed, opened 2007-03-01 and involving the FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER.
NHTSA investigation PE07012 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2007-03-01 and currently closed. The subject of record is FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FREIGHTLINER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2007-06-25 - 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 PE07012 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 FOUR FLEETS CONTACTING ODI ALLEGING MULTIPLE EVENTS WHERE THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED WHILE LOADING AND DISCHARGING CHILDREN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BUS WARNING LIGHT..." 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 FREIGHTLINER 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 FOUR FLEETS CONTACTING ODI ALLEGING MULTIPLE EVENTS WHERE THE FRONT ENTRANCE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED WHILE LOADING AND DISCHARGING CHILDREN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BUS WARNING LIGHTS (RED WARNING LAMPS AND STOP ARM LAMPS) ARE DE-ACTIVATED, SINCE THEY OPERATE OFF THE DOOR CONTROL. ODI ¿S CONCERN WAS THAT CHILDREN MAY STILL BE CROSSING THE ROAD AND BE IN THE PATH OF TRAFFIC SHOULD THIS EVENT OCCUR. AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, FREIGHTLINER SUBMITTED A SAFETY RECALL TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY 11,359 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2008 SAF-T-LINERS. THIS RECALL COVERS THE ENTIRE MODEL C2 POPULATION, INTRODUCED BY THOMAS IN 2005. ALL OWNERS (AND FLEETS) WILL BE NOTIFIED UPON THE FINAL VALIDATION OF A PERMANENT SOLUTION. FREIGHTLINER BELIEVES THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM INCORRECT ELECTRICAL SIGNALS BEING SENT TO THE DOOR CONTROL MECHANISM. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE DOORS TO OPEN OR CLOSE UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. FREIGHTLINER ESTIMATES THAT THE DEALERS WILL BE NOTIFIED APPROXIMATELY JULY 16, 2007. 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.
Other FREIGHTLINER Investigations
EVDM connector plate separation
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
Trolley bus circuit breaker fires
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
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.