Investigations
Windshield Wiper Failures
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13005 — closed, opened 2013-03-18 and involving the VOLVO HEAVY TRUCK.
NHTSA investigation PE13005 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-03-18 and currently closed. The subject of record is VOLVO HEAVY TRUCK, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for VOLVO. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2013-08-29 — 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 PE13005 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: "Through regular communications with heavy truck fleets, ODI learned of a potential issue involving failures of both the windshield wiper motor or linkage on model year 2011-2012 Volvo VNL trucks. ODI searched its Early W..." 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. Related VOLVO files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
Through regular communications with heavy truck fleets, ODI learned of a potential issue involving failures of both the windshield wiper motor or linkage on model year 2011-2012 Volvo VNL trucks. ODI searched its Early Warning Reporting (EWR) database and identified a significant number of claims of wiper system problems reported by Volvo. In some cases the windshield wiper linkage separated and in others the wiper motor failed. In both failure modes, the visibility of the driver is significantly diminished. In response to an ODI Information Request (IR) dated 25 March 2013, Volvo provided warranty data that identified three distinct windshield wiper failure modes on the subject vehicles: wiper motor, wiper linkage, and wiper arms. Analyzing the warranty data revealed elevated rates of wiper motor and wiper arm failures. The warranty data further showed that the wiper arm failures occurred early in the vehicle service life suggesting that those that were likely to fail had already done so. However the wiper motor failures were found to be an ongoing concern. Owners continued to file warranty claims at an elevated rate at the time of this investigation. Following a meeting on 25 July 2013, Volvo notified ODI on 9 August 2013 they had determined the wiper motor drive gear may prematurely fail on subject vehicles manufactured from 1 February 2010 through 30 September 2010 and 1 June 2011 through 30 November 2011. Volvo states that the failure presents a risk of decreased visibility through the windshield, which may result in a vehicle crash. Volvo initiated a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-349) to address the safety defect in approximately 17,824 Model Year 2011 and 2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM Trucks. Volvo’s action to remedy the subject vehicles for the defective wiper motor resolves the issue raised by this investigation and 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.
Other VOLVO Investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Ride Quality
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
Central Electronic Module Failure
FUEL PUMP LEAK
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.