Investigations
GASOLINE SUPPLY LINE TO GEN'R SEEPAGE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE07055 - closed, opened 2007-11-14.
NHTSA investigation PE07055 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2007-11-14 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2008-03-14 - 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 PE07055 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'S INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND THAT THE 1/4" INSIDE DIAMETER FUEL HOSE THAT PROVIDES GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLE'S ON-BOARD GENERATOR CAN CRACK AND SEEP FUEL. COMPLAINT SUMMARIES INDICATE THAT OWNERS HAVE TYPICALLY DETECTED A..." 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'S INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND THAT THE 1/4" INSIDE DIAMETER FUEL HOSE THAT PROVIDES GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLE'S ON-BOARD GENERATOR CAN CRACK AND SEEP FUEL. COMPLAINT SUMMARIES INDICATE THAT OWNERS HAVE TYPICALLY DETECTED A SEEPING FUEL LINE THROUGH (1) THE ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR (2) ERRATIC OR NON-START GENERATOR PERFORMANCE. ODI HAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL IN THE GENERATOR FUEL SUPPLY HOSE IS PULLED INTO THE GENERATOR BY SUCTION SO THE GENERATOR IS LIKELY TO PULL AIR INTO THE FUEL LINE THROUGH MINOR CRACKS IN THE FUEL LINE CAUSING ERRATIC GENERATOR PERFORMANCE WELL BEFORE THE CRACKS WILL INCREASE IN SIZE SUFFICIENTLY TO SEEP SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE. RISK OF FIRE IS NEGLIGIBLE SINCE THE VOLUME OF FUEL SEEPAGE IS SMALL AND THE SEEPAGE IS UNLIKELY TO SPRAY BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE IS NOT PRESSURIZED. ALSO, THE FUEL TANK , GENERATOR, AND FUEL LINES ARE MOUNTED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DISTANT FROM HOT ENGINE PARTS AND/OR ANY OTHER LIKELY SOURCES OF IGNITION. FLEETWOOD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT THEY INTEND TO PROVIDE A NOTIFICATION TO AFFECTED OWNERS THAT (1) ADVISES THAT THE GENERATOR FUEL LINE SHOULD BE INSPECTED FREQUENTLY AND (2) DESCRIBES THE SYMPTOMS OF A DETERIORATING FUEL LINE SO THAT AFFECTED OWNERS WILL RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS INDICATING A FUEL LINE LEAK OR SEEP HAS, OR IS ABOUT TO OCCUR, SO THE OWNERS MAY APPROPRIATELY DIAGNOSE AND RESPOND BY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM.
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.