Investigations
Driveshaft separates from tractor
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10029 — closed, opened 2010-08-02 and involving the PETERBILT PETERBILT.
NHTSA investigation PE10029 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-08-02 and currently closed. The subject of record is PETERBILT PETERBILT, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for PETERBILT. 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 PE10029 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: "Summary On July 13, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened an investigation on model year (MY) 2007-2009 Peterbilt tractors equipped with the (SPL170XL extended lube inter-axle driveline). ODI opened thi..." 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 PETERBILT files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
Summary On July 13, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened an investigation on model year (MY) 2007-2009 Peterbilt tractors equipped with the (SPL170XL extended lube inter-axle driveline). ODI opened this investigation based on one Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) and certain Peterbilt field reports. During the course of the investigation, ODI reviewed PACCAR's IR (October 22, 2010) response with associated data related to Warranty and complaint information, mined field data, interviewed customers and visited local dealers within the Washington Metropolitan area. PACCAR conducted testing regarding torsional loading and identified various causative factors contributed to this safety defect finding. The Defect is a consequence of the bearing surfaces of the SPL170XL extended lube universal joint that attaches the inter-axle driveline to the drive axle becoming prematurely worn due to a breakdown of lubrication and/or excessive heat. Prematurely worn bearing surfaces may result in the u-joint becoming loose and/or binding. This condition may result in universal joint failure, allowing the inter-axle driveline to detach from the axle, which may cause the drive shaft to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage hazard. ODI learned that the affected population of the alleged defect extended to peer models within PACCAR. In summary, the following vehicles are being recalled: MY 2007 and 2008 Kenworth trucks, models T600, T660, T2000, T800 and W900 and MY 2007/2008 Peterbilt trucks, models 357, 378, 379, 385, 386, 387, 388, and 389 all equipped with extended lube inter-axle drivelines manufactured by Dana Corporation. The recall affects vehicles manufactured between February 2, 2006 and April 30, 2007. At this time PACCAR has not yet identified a fix for the inner-axle safety defect and is currently conducting testing with the intent to provide a solution to the failure. ODI will monitor the development of PACCAR
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 PETERBILT Investigations
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.