Investigations
STEERING BINDING
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE87030 - closed, opened 1987-05-12 and involving the FORD FORD.
NHTSA investigation PE87030 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1987-05-12 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 1987-08-24 - 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 PE87030 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: "BASED ON AN ODI FAILURE REPORT ANALYSIS SHOWING 6 COMPLAINTS, 4 ACCIDENTSAND 3 INUJURIES, A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED AND AN INFORMATIONREQUEST WAS SENT TO FORD. SUBSEQUENTLY, ODI RECEIVED 4 ADDITIONAL COM-PLAINT..." 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
BASED ON AN ODI FAILURE REPORT ANALYSIS SHOWING 6 COMPLAINTS, 4 ACCIDENTSAND 3 INUJURIES, A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED AND AN INFORMATIONREQUEST WAS SENT TO FORD. SUBSEQUENTLY, ODI RECEIVED 4 ADDITIONAL COM-PLAINTS. FURTHER INFORMATION WAS DEVELOPED WHICH LED TO DELETION OF 4COMPLAINTS AND THE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. IN ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS, THEPOLICE REPORT CITED THE DRIVER FOR INATTENTION TO DRIVING AND IN ANOTHERTHE POLICE REPORT CITED THE DRIVER FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY. IN THETHIRD REPORT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ALLEGATION WAS FOR STEERING SEPARATIONAND NOT BINDING. TWO OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE EVALUATED AS NOT BEING RELATEDTO THE STEERING BINDING WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS INQUIRY.FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE INFORMATION REQUEST DISCLOSED THAT THE COMPANY HADBEEN AWARE OF A CONDITION DESCRIBED AS "TEMPORARY LOSS OF ASSISTANCE"(TLA) IN STEERING IN EARLY PRODUCTION OF THE TAURUS/SABLE NAMEPLATES.SIGNIFICANTLY, FORD FIELD REPRESENTATIVES SENT 167 REPORTS TO FORD'S===
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.