Investigations
Low Beam Headlights
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10037 - closed, opened 2010-09-16 and involving the HONDA HONDA.
NHTSA investigation PE10037 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-09-16 and currently closed. The subject of record is HONDA HONDA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HONDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-12-20 - 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 PE10037 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: "In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of December 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of model year 2007 and 2008 Honda Fit vehicles to repair the 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 HONDA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of December 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of model year 2007 and 2008 Honda Fit vehicles to repair the headlights. The recall will remedy a defect in the low beam headlight circuit that can cause a total outage of the low beam headlights. Honda's DIR states: "Due to a variation in the assembly sequence when installing the wiring harness for the combination switch that controls the headlights, the wires for the low beam headlight circuit can be pulled tighter than the wiring for the other functions controlled by the combination switch. After repeated use of the headlight switch, the electrical connector terminal for the low beam headlight circuit can become worn as a result of this tension, which can result in low conductivity and cause an accumulation of copper oxide in the area of the contacts. In some cases the poor conductivity may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector. If this occurs, the low beam headlights can become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash." Honda dealer's will inspect the combination switch and wiring harness and remedy the defect free of charge. Please see safety recall file 10V624 for recall details
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 HONDA Investigations
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.