Investigations
Wheel bearing failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE15032 — closed, opened 2015-09-28 and involving the ISUZU N-SERIES.
NHTSA investigation PE15032 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2015-09-28 and currently closed. The subject of record is ISUZU N-SERIES, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for ISUZU. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2016-02-25 — 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 PE15032 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 (PE) investigation on September 28th 2015 to investigate field reports submitted by Isuzu during quarterly Early Warning Reporting (EWR) descr..." 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 ISUZU files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) investigation on September 28th 2015 to investigate field reports submitted by Isuzu during quarterly Early Warning Reporting (EWR) describing wheel bearing failure(s) on model year (MY) 2012-2015 N-Series trucks. In addition an ODI investigator interviewed Isuzu automotive technicians to better understand the impact of this alleged failure mechanism. Isuzu technicians indicated subject Isuzu trucks had been brought in with bearings showing signs of excessive heat. On December 18th 2015 ODI received a response from Isuzu to an Information Request (IR) letter sent to them by the agency. Isuzu indicated that while they have an elevated warranty rate on certain model vehicles, there are no consumer complaints, injuries, crashes, property damage, fires or wheel off events related to bearing failures. In the worst case Isuzu explained that drivers were able to reach the roadside or other locations of safety when a bearing failure occurred. Conditions where wheel bearing has seized, the vehicle(s) could continue to be driven for a number of miles, producing a loud noise while the ABS warning light illuminates. Isuzu is aware of the elevated warranty numbers for certain model and MY vehicles and will issue an extended warranty for the subject population and further expand the scope to 2016 vehicles. Walk in van (MY 2012-2016) and diesel 14.5K truck (MY 2011-2016) owners will receive letters informing them that Isuzu is conducting a service campaign for the front wheel bearing assemblies. Customers with 60,000 miles or less on their vehicle should bring their vehicle to their dealer. Isuzu dealers will replace the grease and conduct an inspection of the wheel bearings at no charge. Additionally, Isuzu will replace wheel bearings, if necessary. Customers with over 60,000 miles should contact their dealers to schedule an appointment if they have not already had the wheel bearing grease replaced
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 ISUZU Investigations
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.