Investigations
FRONT LEAF SPRING BREAKAGE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE08055 — closed, opened 2008-09-17 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation PE08055 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2008-09-17 and currently closed. The subject of record is INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for INTERNATIONAL. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2009-01-13 — 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 PE08055 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 OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION IN SEPTEMBER 2008, BASED ON 18 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF FRACTURED FRONT LEAF SPRINGS. AT 2008 YEAR-END, INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE (ITE) HAS ADVISED ODI THAT AN ADDITIONAL 11 WARRANTY CLAIMS H..." 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 INTERNATIONAL files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION IN SEPTEMBER 2008, BASED ON 18 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF FRACTURED FRONT LEAF SPRINGS. AT 2008 YEAR-END, INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE (ITE) HAS ADVISED ODI THAT AN ADDITIONAL 11 WARRANTY CLAIMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO DATE (TOTAL 29). ODI 'S INVESTIGATION HAS DETERMINED THAT A MANUFACTURING FLAW EXISTS IN AN INDETERMINATE NUMBER OF THE 1600 FRONT LEAF SPRINGS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY AND AUGUST, 2007 BY ITS SUPPLIER, HENDRICKSON, USA, LLC. INVESTIGATION HAS DETERMINED THAT FRACTURED SPRINGS HAVE BEEN DETECTED SOLELY BY VISUAL OR AUDIBLE INDICATIONS SUCH AS VEHICLE SAG OR TILT AND/OR FRONT END VEHICLE NOISE. EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON VEHICLE CONTROL IF AND WHEN THE LOWER LEAF OF THE TWO LEAF FRONT SPRING ASSEMBLY FRACTURES IN THE SUSPECT VEHICLES SINCE THE INTACT UPPER LEAF SPRING CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LOAD BEARING SUPPORT AND FRONT AXLE ALIGNMENT FOR THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF LOSS OF CONTROL AND NO CRASHES. THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT CURRENTLY WARRANTED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THE VEHICLES IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR FIELD REPORTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IF INDICATED.
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 INTERNATIONAL Investigations
International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall
Software security vulnerability
Software security vulnerability
Headlight failures/fires
Brake S-Cam Tube Bracket Failure
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.