Investigations
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE87049 — closed, opened 1987-08-20 and involving the SUBARU SUBARU.
NHTSA investigation PE87049 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1987-08-20 and currently closed. The subject of record is SUBARU SUBARU, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for SUBARU. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1988-01-07 — 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 PE87049 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 MANUFACTURER INFORMATION: SUBARU CLAIMS IT HAS NO IDENTIFIABLEPROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. HOWEVER, THE 1985 RETRACTOR ISUSED ONLY ON THE 1985 MODEL 4 DOOR AND STATION WAGON. PART SALES FOR THERETRAC..." 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 SUBARU 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 MANUFACTURER INFORMATION: SUBARU CLAIMS IT HAS NO IDENTIFIABLEPROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. HOWEVER, THE 1985 RETRACTOR ISUSED ONLY ON THE 1985 MODEL 4 DOOR AND STATION WAGON. PART SALES FOR THERETRACTOR ARE NEARLY DOUBLE 1984 AND 1986 MODEL RETRACTOR SALES. SIMILARLY15 PART NUMBERS WERE ISSUED FOR THE 1985 RETRACTOR. THE PRIMARY REASONFOR SUBARU TO USE THE 1985 MODEL RETRACTOR OVER THE 1984 MODEL WAS TOIMPROVE SENSITIVITY. THE 1985 RETRACTOR ONLY FITS 1985 MODELS, WHILE BOTHTHE 1984 AND 1986 MODELS FIT NUMEROUS OTHER MODEL YEARS. THE GL STATIONWAGON AND 4 DOOR RETRACTOR IS USED ONLY IN THOSE VEHICLES.ANALYSIS: THE 1985 MODEL RETRACTOR APPEARS TO HAVE A SENSITIVITY PROBLEM.OF THE 8 ODI REPORTS, 6 ARE 1985 MODEL SUBARU STATION WAGONS. THE OTHERREPORTS ARE 1984 MODELS. THESE REPORTS ARE EXTAORDINARILY IMPORTANTBECAUSE A COMPLAINT REQUIRES AN ACCIDENT FIRST, AND THEN EITHER SURVIVAL OROUTSIDE CONCERN TO REPORT TO THE ODI.STATUS: RECOMMEND CLOSING THE PE AND FOCUSING FURTHER IN AN EA ENVIRONMENT.===
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 SUBARU Investigations
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
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.