Investigations
Wheel Separation (Broken Studs)
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10040 - closed, opened 2010-10-14.
NHTSA investigation PE10040 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-10-14 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2011-05-27 - 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 PE10040 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: "As a part of PE10-040 investigation activities for both monitoring and to provide candidates for on-site field examinations, ODI had requested Doubletree RV (DRV) to inform ODI of all newly reported wheel separation inci..." 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
As a part of PE10-040 investigation activities for both monitoring and to provide candidates for on-site field examinations, ODI had requested Doubletree RV (DRV) to inform ODI of all newly reported wheel separation incidents. DRV has reported two newly-reported incidents since October, 2010. (1) On November 3, 2010, DRV reported the complete separation of the left (driver side) - forward wheel assembly mounted to a 2010 model year DRV Mobile Suites RV equipped with aluminum wheels mounted on eight 9/16" wheel mounting studs. (2) On May 2, 2011, DRV reported the complete separation of the right (passenger side) - rear wheel assembly mounted to a 2010 model year Elite Suites RV equipped with aluminum wheels mounted on eight 5/8" wheel mounting studs. ODI, in conjunction DRV representatives, visited and inspected both of these vehicles shortly after receiving notification of the incident (before repairs were attempted) for the purpose of identifying contributory issues associated with components, component interfaces, and/or maintenance issues prior to pertinent evidence being lost or altered in the repair process. ***** To improve the mounting surface quality in new production vehicles, DRV instructed that paint be removed from hub faces as of January, 2011. DRV also issued an owner letter in January, 2011 advising owners to check lug nut torque and notify DRV in the event of any owner concerns or problems regarding loosening or inability of the wheel retention system to maintain the specified torque. ***** The occurrence of a wheel end separation incidents prompts concern about the wheel end retention integrity of DRV units in the field and justifies further investigation activity.
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.