NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation DP99002
Defect Petition · Ford Motor Company · STRUCTURE
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
SPARE TIRE MOUNTING
THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BY A LETTER SIGNED BY WILLIAM F. ALLARD AND DATED 15-FEB-98.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTING PLACES THE TIRE SIDEWALL DIRECTLY IN CONTACT WITH THE METAL UNDERCARRIAGE CAUSING WEAR AND DAMAGE OF THE SIDEWALL.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT WHEN THE DAMAGED TIRE IS USED, BLOWOUT COULD RESULT ON AN INTERSTATE PLACING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS AT RISK.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- DP99002
- Investigation type
- Defect Petition (DP)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Component
- STRUCTURE
- Opened
- Mar 2, 1999
- Closed
- Mar 17, 1999
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
1 model year across 1 model
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.