Investigations
OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE07032 — closed, opened 2007-06-25 and involving the WORKHORSE CHASSIS.
NHTSA investigation PE07032 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2007-06-25 and currently closed. The subject of record is WORKHORSE CHASSIS, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for WORKHORSE. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2007-11-19 — 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 PE07032 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 JUNE 25, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPERS AND POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS..." 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 WORKHORSE files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ON JUNE 25, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPERS AND POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. CURRENTLY ODI IS AWARE OF 651 SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (ODI AND WORKHORSE COMPLAINT POPULATION). ODI ANALYSIS OF THE WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA FURNISHED BY WORKHORSE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATES A DRAMATIC DROP IN BRAKE RELATED COMPLAINTS AFTER THE MAY 2004 BUILD DATE. AT THAT TIME, WORKHORSE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION ZERK FITTINGS AND GREASING OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER'S BELL CRANK LINKAGE. ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF 3,782 UNIQUE WARRANTY COUNTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT POPULATION. A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS REVEALS THAT OF THE CLAIMS FILED, ONLY 88 WERE SUBMITTED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE MAY 2004 PRODUCTION LINE CHANGE (ADDITION OF ZERK FITTINGS). ODI INTENDS TO OBTAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THERE ARE SEEMINGLY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE COMPLAINT DATA AND WARRANTY CLAIMS BEFORE AND AFTER THE MAY 2004 DESIGN CHANGE AND THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE PRE-CHANGE DESIGN. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-016) FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
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 WORKHORSE Investigations
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.