Investigations
UNDERDASH FIRES
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE86072 - closed, opened 1986-08-06 and involving the FORD FORD.
NHTSA investigation PE86072 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1986-08-06 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 1986-11-17 - 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 PE86072 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: "SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: FORD PROVIDED 28 OWNERCOMPLAINTS WHICH ALLEGE IN-DASH FIRES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR SERVICEBULLETINS ISSUED BY FORD RELATING TO THE ALLEGED PROBLEM. FORD DOESNOT BELIEVE THAT A..." 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
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: FORD PROVIDED 28 OWNERCOMPLAINTS WHICH ALLEGE IN-DASH FIRES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR SERVICEBULLETINS ISSUED BY FORD RELATING TO THE ALLEGED PROBLEM. FORD DOESNOT BELIEVE THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITHIN THE SUBJECT MODEL.ANALYSIS: A REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED OF THE 35 FIRE COMPLAINTS. ALL APPEARTO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE, ORIGINATING IN THE INNER-DASH WIRING AREA,WITH NO PRE-WARNING TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR OF THE IMPENDING FIRE OTHERTHAN SMOKE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENT OPENINGS. IT ISSUGGESTED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION BE REQUESTED FROM THE MANUFACTURERREGARDING THIS VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL/WIRING SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD INCLUDEQUESTIONS ABOUT CURRENT CAPACITY AND OVERLOAD PROTECTION SYSTEMS.PROPOSED ACTION: UPGRADE THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERINGANALYSIS.===
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. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.