Investigations
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NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10039 - closed, opened 2010-09-30.
NHTSA investigation PE10039 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-09-30 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-12-16 - 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 PE10039 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 sent Heil Environmental an Information Request letter on 6 October 2010. After reviewing the letter and subsequent discussions with ODI, Heil decided to issue a safety recall pertaining to 2,201 units built from cale..." 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 sent Heil Environmental an Information Request letter on 6 October 2010. After reviewing the letter and subsequent discussions with ODI, Heil decided to issue a safety recall pertaining to 2,201 units built from calendar year 2004 through 2010. They submitted a 573 Defect Report to NHTSA on 22 November 2010. Heil is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem. Therefore this investigation is closed and Heil was excused from answering ODI's information request.
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.