Investigations
Engine Cooling Fan Fracture
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE10049 - closed, opened 2010-12-07.
NHTSA investigation PE10049 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2010-12-07 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2012-02-17 - 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 PE10049 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: "Past recalls and complaint experience indicate that the disintegration of vehicular components (not necessarily limited to fan blade assemblies) rotating at or near engine speeds can pose a hazard to individuals in proxi..." 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
Past recalls and complaint experience indicate that the disintegration of vehicular components (not necessarily limited to fan blade assemblies) rotating at or near engine speeds can pose a hazard to individuals in proximity to the affected vehicle. This risk has frequently prompted responsive corrective field actions. This investigation (PE10-049) has not identified any (a) fatalities; (b) injuries; and/or (c) close-call incidents which, if reported, might provide an indication of the nature and severity of injuries which may occur if a fan blade installed in subject GMT vehicles were to fracture. Although ODI remains concerned about the potential for injury, ODI is closing this investigation because (1) the absence of an identified root cause or causal factors; and (2) the modest and declining level of complaint activity associated with fan blade breakage which indicates that the potential risk of injury is also small and diminishing. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by circumstances. Further details are provided in the attached Executive Summary and ODI Technical Report Summary for PE10-049.
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.