Investigations
Wheelchair Lift Rollstop Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE11030 - closed, opened 2011-09-09.
NHTSA investigation PE11030 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2011-09-09 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2012-02-03 - 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 PE11030 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: "Braun Vista 2 and Century 2 wheelchair lifts may allow unintended wheelchair roll-away to occur when the outer barrier system fails to latch. This failure mode is alleged to have allowed an occupied, powered wheelchair,..." 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
Braun Vista 2 and Century 2 wheelchair lifts may allow unintended wheelchair roll-away to occur when the outer barrier system fails to latch. This failure mode is alleged to have allowed an occupied, powered wheelchair, weighing 417.3 lbs (the lift is rated to 800 lb.) to roll off an elevated lift resulting in serious injuries to the chair occupant. To address outer rollstop latching issues going forward, Braun modified the subject lifts latching mechanism...a modification introduced into production on 8-24-10. To correct those lifts already in use, Braun issued two service bulletins (36218 and 36359 in April 2010 and June 2010, respectively) and one modified latch kit. Braun has now decided to recall the subject lifts covered by the two bulletins. With that safety-related recall (12E-002) this PE 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.