Investigations
Wheel Separation
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE15020 — closed, opened 2015-05-20 and involving the FORD FORD.
NHTSA investigation PE15020 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2015-05-20 and currently closed. The subject of record is FORD FORD, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FORD. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2016-01-04 — 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 PE15020 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 November 29, 2014, ODI received a complaint reporting the complete separation of an original equipment 22-inch alloy wheel rim mounted on the right front position of a model year 2014 Ford Edge vehicle (VOQ 10661278)...." 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 FORD files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On November 29, 2014, ODI received a complaint reporting the complete separation of an original equipment 22-inch alloy wheel rim mounted on the right front position of a model year 2014 Ford Edge vehicle (VOQ 10661278). The driver indicated that the right-front corner of the vehicle suddenly dropped while driving, causing the vehicle to go off the road to the right and into a field. The right-front wheel rim was found to have broken into two pieces. The owner said that there was no prior warning or wheel related problems with the vehicle. The vehicle had been driven approximately 8,500 miles at the time of the incident. On May 29, 2015 ODI sent an information request to Ford asking for detailed information related to the specific 22 inch alloy wheel used on the Edge as well as any peer vehicles which used the same type of wheel. On July 17, 2015 Ford provided ODI with the requested information. Ford's search showed that the single incident reported to ODI is the only instance of a wheel failure on the subject or peer vehicles. The failed wheel was sent to the National Transportation Service Board (NTSB) materials analysis laboratory for examination. The NTSB determined that the wheel failed because of a severe impact that caused a crack that rapidly propagated around the circumference of the wheel, "The rim fracture surface had a predominantly rough appearance consistent with an overstress fracture (rapid fracture) There were no abnormalities or unique features associated with the fracture initiation site." Metallurgical analysis of the rim found that the material was within specification and no anomalies were identified that could have contributed to the failure. See the full NTSB report for more details. Based on the absence of additional failures and the results of the wheel material testing and failure analysis, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The
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 FORD Investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.