NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA86026
Engineering Analysis · Maserati North America, Inc. · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SUMMARY:MASERATI BELIEVES THE CAUSE OF THE FIRES TO BE OWNER MIS-USEOF THE MANUAL CHOKE.ANALYSIS:IF THE MANUAL CHOKE IS LEFT ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, THEEXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS, PARTICULARLY DURING IDLING ORURBAN DRIVING.THE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF THE SURROUNDING WIRINGHOSES, INSULATION, ETC. CAN RESULT IN SMOKE, FUMES, AND FIRE.STATUS:MASERATI RECALL RETROFITTING DUMP VALVE FOR SECONDARY AIRTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THIS PREVENTS CATALYST OVERHEATING.ALL 1984 AND 1985 BITURBOS WERE RECALLED PER 87V-151.CLOSED 11/18/87.===
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
- EA86026
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Maserati North America, Inc.
- Component
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Opened
- Aug 28, 1986
- Closed
- Nov 18, 1987
- Associated recall campaign
- 87V151000
Vehicles named in this investigation
2 model years 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.