Investigations
Transmission Shift Cable Detachment
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10046 - closed, opened 2010-11-22.
NHTSA investigation PE10046 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-11-22 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2011-04-05 - 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 PE10046 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: "During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable. This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shift..." 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
During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable. This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted. The shift lever can be moved into the Park (P) position while the vehicle transmission is still in the last used gear before detachment. If this were to occur, and if the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, the vehicle may inadvertently roll away thus creating the risk of a crash. Kia is conducting a safety recall (11V-153) to correct the subject problem in approximately 70,115 model year (MY) 2006 through 2008 Kia Optima vehicles produced from 9/29/2005 to 6/13/2007. Kia has stated that the early MY 2006 Optima vehicles built before 9/29/2005 had different automatic transmission shift cables and shift levers than the subsequent MY 2006 through early MY 2008 Optima vehicles built up to 6/13/2007. Beginning 6/14/2007, Kia changed the assembly process for the shift cables to ensure correct installation. As for the recall remedy, Kia dealers will inspect the shift cables for correct installation, and re-install them, if necessary. For more details on the recall, see NHTSA recall 11V-153. This investigation is closed.
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.