Investigations
RPM's surging during pump mode
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE11001 - closed, opened 2011-01-10.
NHTSA investigation PE11001 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2011-01-10 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2011-07-20 - 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 PE11001 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: "On January 10, 2011 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-001) based on a product improvement program (PIP) (ODI TSB # 10036912) submitted by Caterpillar dated August 18, 2010. The..." 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
On January 10, 2011 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-001) based on a product improvement program (PIP) (ODI TSB # 10036912) submitted by Caterpillar dated August 18, 2010. The PIP was for engine RPM's that could surge while in a water pumping mode on 2005 through 2009 Pierce fire trucks equipped with a Caterpillar C9 engine. This engine surge could cause a fluctuation in water pressure that is being directed onto a fire through a hose. The bulletin states that this condition in conjunction with other factors or circumstances could "result in a risk of personal injury or death." Caterpillar's product improvement program released information involving the installation of new engine software on the subject vehicles. On April 11, 2011 ODI received Pierce's response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter. Based on the information received, an ODI investigator contacted several fleets and complainants regarding this defect phenomena and everyone contacted expressed concern related to the inherent danger involved with pressure oscillations in a fire hose. Several fire fighters stated that the frequency of failure even after Software fixes have been performed per the PIP are still happening. In a supplemental IR letter dated May 27, 2011 Pierce identified a total population of 241 vehicles with the C9 engine from MY 2005 - 2008. Pierce also specified that they had 15 unique complaints coupled with 2 complaints from Caterpillar; totaling 17 consumer complaints. These consumer complaints were for MY 2006 through 2008 fire trucks. Pierce had 2 warranty claims while Caterpillar had 19 warranty claims, totaling 21 warranty claims for this investigation. ODI notes that the complaints applied to 5 vehicles and the warranty claims applied to 5 different vehicles (based on VIN). There were multiple complaints or claims on one vehicle in some cases. An ODI investigator spoke with a fire chief in Sherwood, AR who alleged a Caterpillar rep
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.