Investigations
Dash Fires
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10011 - closed, opened 2010-04-21.
NHTSA investigation PE10011 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-04-21 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-05-26 - 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 PE10011 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 was opened after ODI learned of two dash fires that occurred on model year 2008 rear engine school buses. This investigation was opened to further study these fires and assess the risk. On April 30, 20..." 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 was opened after ODI learned of two dash fires that occurred on model year 2008 rear engine school buses. This investigation was opened to further study these fires and assess the risk. On April 30, 2010, Daimler filed a defect report concerning this matter. School buses built between November 15, 2007, through June 15, 2009, and non-school buses built between November 20, 2007, through May 8, 2009 will have the dash heater actuator replaced with a more robust actuator to prevent leakage of coolant. This safety recall resolves the issue raised by this investigation and 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.
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.