Investigations
Sway Bar End Link Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13028 - closed, opened 2013-08-26.
NHTSA investigation PE13028 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-08-26 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2014-02-19 - 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 PE13028 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 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this preliminary evaluation after evaluating a Campaign Service Bulletin (CSB) 12-250-002 (NHTSA ID No. 10051812) issued by Spartan Chassis, Inc. The C..." 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 26, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this preliminary evaluation after evaluating a Campaign Service Bulletin (CSB) 12-250-002 (NHTSA ID No. 10051812) issued by Spartan Chassis, Inc. The CSB related to sway bar end link failures on certain motorhome chassis manufactured between April 2, 2009 and January 14, 2013. In response to ODI's information request letter, Spartan conducted a detailed analysis of its claim data related to sway bar end link failures on the subject chassis. Spartan determined that a certain population of model MM motorhome chassis equipped with its model 1253 front suspension were experiencing an increased rate of failure. The population identified incorporated a design change that occurred in late 2009. This change increased the rebound travel of the front suspension resulting in a binding condition that could cause the sway bar end links to fail. A broken sway bar end link can potentially cause poor vehicle handling that could increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Based on the results of their analysis, Spartan decided to issue a defect notice and conduct a safety recall to replace the existing sway bar end links with new units and an improved mounting. Based on Spartan's decision to conduct a safety recall (14V-020), ODI is closing this investigation.
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.