NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA86003
Engineering Analysis · General Motors, LLC · 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
SIDE DOOR FIRES
SUMMARY OF MANUFACTURER INFORMATION:GM HAS DUPLICATED A FIRE USING SALTWATER ON THE DOOR SWITCHES.WATER MAY DROP FROM AN OPEN WINDOW ONTO THESWITCH PANEL ON THE DOOR ARMREST.GM REVIEWING RISK, WILL NOTIFY ODIBY LATE SEPT ON POSSIBLE FUTURE GM ACTION.ANALYSIS:SALT WATER CONTAMINATION MAY OCCUR.INCREASED INCIDENTS AREREPORTED IN THE WINTER MONTHS.SALT WATER MAY PROVIDE A CONDUCTIVE PATHBELOW CURRENT RATING OF FUSE BUT SUFFICIENT TO OVERHEAT SWITCH PANEL.STATUS: GM RECALLED E-BODY CONVERTIBLES (87V-167).GM RESPONSE TO11/23/87 IR DATED 12/15/87. EA CLOSED 2/18/88.===
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
- EA86003
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- General Motors, LLC
- Component
- STRUCTURE
- Opened
- Oct 28, 1985
- Closed
- Feb 18, 1988
- Associated recall campaign
- 87V167000
Vehicles named in this investigation
5 model years across 3 models
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.