Investigations
Fuel Leak
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE11002 - closed, opened 2011-01-11.
NHTSA investigation PE11002 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2011-01-11 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2011-03-17 - 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 PE11002 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 gathered information from four auto hauler fleets during its investigation. At least five of the fleets' vehicles were damaged or completely destroyed by a fire caused by a leak in low pressure fuel line. The fleets..." 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 gathered information from four auto hauler fleets during its investigation. At least five of the fleets' vehicles were damaged or completely destroyed by a fire caused by a leak in low pressure fuel line. The fleets reported numerous other failures that spilled large quantities of diesel fuel on roadways and disabled tractor trailers. Daimler Trucks North America submitted a recall notice on 24 February 2011. Daimler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns. The 573 letter was received prior to the due date of the IR response, therefore Daimler has been relieved from having to submit an IR response. Daimler will replace the upper and lower low pressure fuel lines with a "more robust" line. The exact remedy and replacement parts are not yet finalized. Daimler will be submitting a supplemental report when the information is available. ODI will closely monitor the remedy to ensure it is adequate. The subject vehicles have been recalled, therefore 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.