Investigations
Wheel-End Failures
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE12014 - closed, opened 2012-06-14.
NHTSA investigation PE12014 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2012-06-14 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2012-10-11 - 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 PE12014 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 June 14, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE12-014) to assess the risks associated with wheel-end failures causing wheel separation on certain Model Year (MY) 2011 Kaufma..." 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 June 14, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE12-014) to assess the risks associated with wheel-end failures causing wheel separation on certain Model Year (MY) 2011 Kaufman Flatbed Trailers. Following discussions with ODI concerning manufacturer records, consumer complaints, interviews, and the risk to the public resulting from a wheel separation event, Kaufman decided to submit recall notice 12V-410 on the subject trailers. This recall decision was made prior to submitting its response to ODI's information request letter, and ODI believes it has sufficient information to close its investigation. Therefore ODI relieved Kaufman of its requirement to submit a response. Kaufman's recall actions address the issues raised by this investigation and as a result 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.