Investigations
THROTTLE CONTROL
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE88029 — closed, opened 1988-02-23 and involving the JEEP JEEP.
NHTSA investigation PE88029 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1988-02-23 and currently closed. The subject of record is JEEP JEEP, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for JEEP. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1988-09-19 — 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 PE88029 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: THE PE WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER JEEP'S RECALL OF CERTAIN 1987 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 LITER FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDER ENGINE (87V-035) HAD INVOLVED ALL THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. A R..." 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 JEEP files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
SUMMARY: THE PE WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER JEEP'S RECALL OF CERTAIN 1987 MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 LITER FUEL INJECTED 6 CYLINDER ENGINE (87V-035) HAD INVOLVED ALL THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES. A REVIEW OF THE ODI FILES HAD INDICATED THAT 1987-1988 JEEP VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.O LITER ENGINE ALSO WERE EXPERIENCING SOME THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM. A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND THE AVAILABLE INCIDENT REPORTS DOES NOT INDICATE THAT A POTENTIAL DEFECT TREND EXISTS OR IS DEVELOPING. THE WARRANTY CLAIMS ATTENUATE, AND THE ALLEDGED INCIDENTS APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY A VARIETY OF FACTORS. #===
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 JEEP Investigations
Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Failure
Underhood fires
Loss of Motive Power
False overheat leading to loss of motive power
Electronic Parking Brake Water Ingress
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.