Investigations
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MODULE FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE08042 - closed, opened 2008-07-16.
NHTSA investigation PE08042 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2008-07-16 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2008-10-15 - 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 PE08042 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 DISCLOSED THAT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY LEAD TO INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR SUBSEQUENT TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. ANALYSIS OF DATA DISCLOSED THAT THE SUBJECT VEH..." 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
THIS INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY LEAD TO INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR SUBSEQUENT TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. ANALYSIS OF DATA DISCLOSED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2003 AND MAY 2003 EXHIBITED HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATES. THE MANUFACTURED NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, THAT A SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR THE 13,358 VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NO. 08V-456 TO THIS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN. CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF REPLACING THE WIPER MODULE COVER, WHERE EVIDENCE OF WATER INTRUSION EXISTS. TO CORRESPOND WITH PARTS AVAILABILITY, THE DEALER BULLETIN AND OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER ARE SCHEDULED FOR ISSUANCE IN NOVEMBER 2008.
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.