Investigations
Output shaft failure and separation
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE11028 - closed, opened 2011-08-29.
NHTSA investigation PE11028 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2011-08-29 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2011-11-22 - 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 PE11028 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 August 29th 2011 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-028) on Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) for output shaft failures located in the forward-rear axle carrier of ce..." 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 August 29th 2011 the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-028) on Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) for output shaft failures located in the forward-rear axle carrier of certain class 8 vehicles equipped with Arvin Meritor RT series output shaft assemblies. At the time of this (PE) opening, ODI was aware of a field campaign and two field reports thought to be related to this alleged safety concern. The DTNA campaign address a risk resulting from an incorrect heat treatment process of the output shaft (SF441AB); which was initially believed to be associated with the two field reports. On October 21st 2011 ODI received DTNA's PE Information Request (IR) letter response which indicated no additional complaints or field reports related to the alleged defect. ODI also learned that the two original field reports noted in the opening resume were U-joint failures and were unrelated to the service campaign. DTNA claimed a total of 96 warranty claims, all related to performing the service campaign but unrelated to any field failures. Upon receiving DTNA's PE-IR letter response ODI learned that even if a fracture were to occur in relation to the alleged defect, it would be located at the base of the splined section of the shaft opposite the output yoke and inside the axle housing. The Output shaft assembly is bolted into the axle housing and will remain secure in the event of a fracture. Based on the fact that there are no consumer complaints, injuries or field reports and the benign consequence of the alleged defect, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI will continue to monitor this field campaign.
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.
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