Investigations
Extended Braking Distances
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE17002 — closed, opened 2017-05-03 and involving the NISSAN NISSAN.
NHTSA investigation PE17002 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2017-05-03 and currently closed. The subject of record is NISSAN NISSAN, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for NISSAN. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2018-05-04 — 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 PE17002 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 Investigation (ODI) is closing this Preliminary Evaluation and upgrading to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 18-001. During the PE, ODI requested and reviewed information provided by Nissan including co..." 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 NISSAN 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 Investigation (ODI) is closing this Preliminary Evaluation and upgrading to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 18-001. During the PE, ODI requested and reviewed information provided by Nissan including consumer complaints and other field and technical data related to failures of the hydraulic control unit (HCU), an electro-mechanical brake system component that provides antilock braking and other functionality in the subject model year (MY) 2009 Murano. The subject failure of the HCU, which involves improper operation of an internal hydraulic control valve, can cause extended brake pedal travel and may result in a reduction in overall braking effectiveness. Tier-one supplier Continental manufactured the HCU for Nissan. ODI currently recognizes 484 subject vehicle complaints that appear related to the alleged defect. Fourteen crash allegations, with three non-life threatening injuries are under evaluation also. ODI has been monitoring consumer complaints received, and in some cases has obtained suspect HCUs from complainants' vehicles. Recovered HCUs sent to NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) in East Liberty, Ohio are under evaluation, and VRTC has conducted limited vehicle testing also. In a July 28, 2017 submission, Nissan acknowledged that a failure of the HCU can result in increased brake pedal travel during braking. Nissan's analysis of returned parts revealed that a zinc coating used on the normally closed valve assemblies inside the HCU may react with certain brake fluid constituents. The reaction results in the formation of a gelatinous material that can harden with time and prevent the valve from closing after opening in an ABS event. When this occurs, Nissan maintains that the hydraulic brake system remains intact and that full braking is available once the pedal travels an additional distance, about 36 mm according to Nissan. Although still under investigation, Nissan states it has not determined the condition represents an unr
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 NISSAN Investigations
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
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.