Investigations
RACK AND PINION FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE09040 - closed, opened 2009-08-31 and involving the FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER.
NHTSA investigation PE09040 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2009-08-31 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 2009-11-19 - 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 PE09040 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: "A CONSUMER COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE AGENCY ON AUGUST 22, 2009, BY AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEASING A 2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT IN APRIL OF 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES HE EXPERIENC..." 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
A CONSUMER COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE AGENCY ON AUGUST 22, 2009, BY AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR LEASING A 2009 FREIGHTLINER CASCADIA. THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT IN APRIL OF 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES HE EXPERIENCED A SEAL RUPTURE IN THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. A NEW SEAL WAS INSTALLED AND AT 56,000 MILES HE FOUND HIS RIGHT STEER TIRE COMPLETELY BALD. THE REPAIR SHOP IDENTIFIED AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRE. ODI HAS IDENTIFIED EWR FIELD REPORTS RELATED TO FAILED RACK AND PINIONS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE REPORTS IDENTIFY EITHER AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY THAT RESULTED IN CRASHES OR A LOOSENESS OF THE INNER TIE ROD END OF THE RACK AND PINION RESULTING IN A POOR ALIGNMENT AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING THIS INVESTIGATION FROM FREIGHTLINER DETAILED FAILURES OF THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THESE FAILURES WERE THE RESULT OF THE LEFT HAND INNER TIE ROD END BECOMING LOOSE OVER TIME. WHEN THE TIE ROD BECOMES LOOSE, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY AND MAKE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. FRIEGHTLINER HAS CONCLUDED THAT A DEFECT RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY DOES EXIST ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND HAS INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL (09V-357) THAT WILL REMEDY ALL OF THEM. THIS RECALL INVOLVES REMOVING THE TIE ROD AND ADDING A COMPOUND TO IT THAT WILL PREVENT THE TIE ROD FROM COMING LOOSE OVER TIME. A COPY OF THE RECALL IS ATTACHED. FREIGHTLINER'S ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION AND, THEREFORE, 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.