Investigations
BRAKE PEDAL FADE/EXTENDED STOPPING
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE96042 - closed, opened 1996-06-13 and involving the FORD FORD.
NHTSA investigation PE96042 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 1996-06-13 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 1996-10-31 - 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 PE96042 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: "ODI HAS RECEIVED SIXTY-EIGHT (68) CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON CERTAIN 1995 AND 1996 FORD WINDSTARS, WHICH RESULTED IN BRAKE PEDAL FADE AND IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DU..." 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
ODI HAS RECEIVED SIXTY-EIGHT (68) CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON CERTAIN 1995 AND 1996 FORD WINDSTARS, WHICH RESULTED IN BRAKE PEDAL FADE AND IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING BRAKING THESE ALLEGED FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE CAUSED TWELVE (12) ACCIDENTS THAT RESULTED FROM VEHICLE LOSS OF BRAKING. THE CONPLAINANTS REPORT THAT THE LOSS OF BRAKING OCCURRED DURING BRAKING SITUATIONS ON DRY ROADS AS WELL AS ON WET OR SLIPPERY ROADS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUES (IR) CONCERNING THE LONG STOPPING DISTANCE COMPLAINTS ON THE 1995 WINDSTAR, FORD REPORTED RECEIVING 259 REPORT (FIELD REPORTS, OWNER COMPLAINTS, AND SUBROGATION CLAIMS) OF LONG STOPPING DISTANCE ON THE 1995 FORD WINDSTAR, ALONG WITH 64 REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS. IN ADDITION, FORD REPORTED RECEIVING SOME 64,000 WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT COULD RELATE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OF LONG STOPPING DISTANCE PERFORMANCE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. SINCE A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED, ODI HAS RECEIVED ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS OF THE ALLEGED FAILURE ON THE 1996 MODELS, WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED INITIALLY IN THIS INVESTIGATION. ODI BELIEVES THAT AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON THE 1995 AND 1996 FORD WINDSTAR VEHICES IN WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.
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.