Investigations
Front Air Brake Hose Interference
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10028 - closed, opened 2010-07-29.
NHTSA investigation PE10028 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-07-29 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-12-23 - 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 PE10028 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 based on EWR data indicating that a front air brake hose could rub the tire and eventually develop an air leak. Volvo's IR response and ODI's investigative review revealed no sudden "loss of..." 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 opened this investigation based on EWR data indicating that a front air brake hose could rub the tire and eventually develop an air leak. Volvo's IR response and ODI's investigative review revealed no sudden "loss of air" events. Rather abrasion of the hose was being noted. Additionally no crashes or injuries were reported. An analysis of the warranty data with respect to time in service and miles to failure did not indicate that the subject vehicles were experiencing failures at a rate higher than peer vehicles. The subject vehicles are commercial vehicles. The front air brake hoses are easily visible and accessible during routine inspections. The failure mode is a slow abrasive process that occurs over time. ODI's review indicates that it is unlikely that the alleged defect would go undetected. Additionally, Volvo has issued two notices to dealers and authorized service stations alerting them to look for the alleged defect (abrasion on the air hose) in the subject vehicles. A safety related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be 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 if warranted by the circumstances.
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.