Investigations
Headlight failures/fires
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE14029 — closed, opened 2014-09-11 and involving the INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL.
NHTSA investigation PE14029 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2014-09-11 and currently closed. The subject of record is INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for INTERNATIONAL. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2015-02-27 — 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 PE14029 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 consumer complaint alleging a headlight fire on a MY 2013 International Prostar. A fire cause and origin report accompanied the complaint and placed the origin at the headlight as..." 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 INTERNATIONAL files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
This investigation was opened based on a consumer complaint alleging a headlight fire on a MY 2013 International Prostar. A fire cause and origin report accompanied the complaint and placed the origin at the headlight assembly but did not confirm the first material ignited. The complainant reported two injuries due to smoke inhalation by the driver and passenger as well as a broken ankle suffered by the passenger when they jumped out of the vehicle. During the investigation, ODI collected and reviewed subject and peer vehicle information related to the alleged defect. ODI selected model year 2012 and 2014 Navistar Prostar vehicles as peer vehicles. ODI sent an Information Request letter to Navistar in order to collect production, complaint, warranty, part sales, and design information. Navistar provided all requested information. A thorough review of available data revealed the only known complaint and injury event was the single complaint submitted to NHTSA. Navistar reported having received 250 warranty claims relative to the alleged defect on the subject vehicle. A detailed review of these claims indicated that single headlights failed sporadically over the life of the truck. No incidents were found to include simultaneous failure of both the left and right headlights. ODI also analyzed data for 39,687 peer MY 2012 and 2014 Prostar vehicles. Navistar used the same search criteria on the peer vehicles as the subject vehicles and identified 439 warranty claims. Again, no fires, injuries or simultaneous failures were identified. No design changes were reported for the headlights on subject vehicles. However, Navistar reported three design changes for the 2014 peer vehicles. One of the changes was to offer LED headlights. Another involved a changed in the headlight assembly supplier as a cost savings initiative, and the third was in response to warranty claims. All designs are interchangeable with the subject vehicles. Change 91885Z was put into vehicle production on
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 INTERNATIONAL Investigations
International Autos, Inc. / Mini Recall
Software security vulnerability
Software security vulnerability
Brake S-Cam Tube Bracket Failure
High Pressure Oil Line Rupture
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.