NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA86033
Engineering Analysis · General Motors, LLC · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
BRAKE FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:GM MAINTAINS THAT THERE IS NO DEFECT IN THE DESIGN.SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP DOES NOT CHANGE WITH APPLICATION OF PEDAL FORCE.GM BELIEVES THAT THEIR TEST DATA DEMONSTRATES THAT PEDAL, BRACKET, AND FIREWALL ARE SUFFICIENTLY STOUT.GM REPORTSNO FIELD COMPLAINTS ON THIS ALLEGED DEFECT. ANALYSIS:THIS ALLEGED DEFECT WAS REPORTED IN A BENDIX TRADE PUBLICATION. IT CITED FIREWALL FLEXING AS REDUCING THE PEDAL FREE PLAY AND PREVENTINGTHE MASTER CYLINDER FROM COMPENSATING NORMALLY.STATUS:ON DEC 11,1986, A MEMO WAS SENT TO VRTC REQUESTING TESTING ON A VEHICLE IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THE ALLEGED DEFECT.VRTC HAS PURCHASED A TEST VEHICLE AND TESTING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.DRAFT REPORT IN REVIEW CYCLE. PROPOSED ACTION:CLOSED AUG 25,1987===
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
- EA86033
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- General Motors, LLC
- Component
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Opened
- Sep 30, 1986
- Closed
- Aug 25, 1987
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
6 model years across 2 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.