Investigations
Delayed Throttle Response
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13011 - closed, opened 2013-04-26.
NHTSA investigation PE13011 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-04-26 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2013-12-09 - 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 PE13011 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: "This investigation was opened based on a fleet complaint alleging delayed throttle response which could potentially lead to extended stopping distances and/or increase the risk of a crash. Autocar responded to ODI's Info..." 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
This investigation was opened based on a fleet complaint alleging delayed throttle response which could potentially lead to extended stopping distances and/or increase the risk of a crash. Autocar responded to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter and provided test data including its FMVSS 124 validation data. ODI reviewed Autocar's testing procedures and results with NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance and Office of Rule Making. The test procedure was acceptable as were the results. In an effort to further quantify the safety risk, ODI surveyed nine fleets operating the same subject vehicles. Of the eight reporting fleets, only one expressed concerns similar to the fleet submitting the VOQ. Of all the fleets contacted, none had experienced a crash where the throttle delay was a contributing factor. Autocar provided a modified direct wire throttle to the initial fleet as a customer satisfaction campaign. This configuration resulted in an improved throttle response. In light of the low rate of delayed throttle response on the subject vehicles and Autocar's actions to improve the throttle response on the complaint vehicles, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. The ODI complaint cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following (ODI) number: 10471829
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.