Investigations
Pintle Hook Loop Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE13039 - closed, opened 2013-12-09.
NHTSA investigation PE13039 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2013-12-09 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2014-09-11 - 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 PE13039 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: "The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on its review of a service bulletin submitted by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility). The Service Bulletin (SB-07-011), cont..." 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
The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation based on its review of a service bulletin submitted by Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company (Utility). The Service Bulletin (SB-07-011), contained in Utility’s July 2013 579.5 monthly submission, instructed owners of subject trailers to conduct an inspection of the pintle hook loop. The inspection procedure involved striking the loop with a 10 pound sledge hammer and then inspecting it for cracks. Due to a material defect, Utility informed owners there was a potential for the loop (that secures the trailers safety chains) to crack and fail. If the loop fails, this redundant safety component becomes ineffective in retaining the trailer to the towing vehicle should the primary hitch fail or otherwise disconnect. A trailer that has separated from its towing vehicle presents a risk to motor vehicle safety. On July 30th 2014 Utility trailer submitted a voluntary safety recall notice (14V-463) for pintle hook safety chain loop failures. The recall involves certain model year 2012-2014 VS1RA, and 2013-2014 VS1DC, VS2DX, VS2RA, VS3DX, and VS3RA trailers manufactured from April 2011 to May 2013. Utility trailer dealers will inspect and replace the pintle hook safety chain loop as required. This Preliminary Evaluation 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.