Investigations
BRAKE LINE/ELECT WIRE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE87023 - closed, opened 1987-03-02 and involving the NISSAN NISSAN.
NHTSA investigation PE87023 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1987-03-02 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 1987-04-27 - 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 PE87023 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: NISSAN STATES THAT RUBBING AIRBRAKE LINE IS WRAPPED WITH COILED STEEL WIRE WHICH PROTECTS IT FROM FOREIGNOBJECT. IF FITTING IS LEFT UNCHANGED, IT WOULD TAKE YEARS BEFORE HOSESHOW..." 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
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: NISSAN STATES THAT RUBBING AIRBRAKE LINE IS WRAPPED WITH COILED STEEL WIRE WHICH PROTECTS IT FROM FOREIGNOBJECT. IF FITTING IS LEFT UNCHANGED, IT WOULD TAKE YEARS BEFORE HOSESHOWED ANY SIGNS OR RUBBING OR ABRASIONS. MAINTENANCE MANUAL REQUIRES THATTHE BRAKE HOSE BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES OR 1 YEAR. RECALL (87V-056)CONCERNING WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN ISSUED.ANALYSIS: THE SUBJECT AIR BRAKE HOSE IS WRAPPED WITH A COILED STEEL WIREAND REPLACEMENT AFTER 12 MONTHS IS REQUIRED BY THE SERVICE MANUAL. IT THEPROBLEM IS IGNORED OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, SOME LOSS OF REAR BRAKEPOWER MAY EVENTUALLY OCCUR. LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING DEVICE AND REAREMERGENCY BRAKES WOULD BE ACTIVATED. FRONT BRAKES NOT AFFECTED. A PRODUCTIMPROVEMENT LETTER HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE BRAKE HOSE.PROPOSED ACTION: CLOSE THIS PE.===
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. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.