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NHTSA safety investigation

NHTSA Investigation EA87003

Engineering Analysis · COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. · SUSPENSION

ClosedEngineering Analysis

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.

Model years namedModel years in our database that NHTSA associated with this inquiry. Being named in an investigation says nothing about whether an individual vehicle has any problem.
2
1 model
Opened
Nov 14, 1986
Engineering Analysis
Closed
Apr 27, 1987
No associated recall recorded

What NHTSA is examining

The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published

REAR SUSPENSION OVERLOAD

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:THE SUBJECT MICRO-MINIMOTORHOMES ARE BUILT ON 1984-1986 MODEL TOYOTA MINI TRUCK CHASSIS VEHICLES.THE FRAME RAILS ARE EXTENDED 23 INCHES.COACHMEN REMOVES THE SINGLE OEMREAR WHEEL AND INSTALLS A BIG WHEEL DUALS DUAL WHEEL ASSEMBLY USING THEORIGINAL LUGNUTS.COACHMEN ESTABLISHES THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGOF THE VEHICLES AT 6,000 POUNDS (400 POUNDS MORE THAN TOYOTA) AND THEVEHICLES HAVE A CURB WEIGHT OF 4,671-4,740 POUNDS DEPENDING ON THE MODEL.THE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED TO SEAT 5 TO 7 ADULTS.ANALYSIS:THE VEHICLES ARE MANUFACTURED WITH LITTLE OR NO LOAD CAPACITYFOR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND LUGGAGE, ONCE THE FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENTIS INSTALLED AND TANKS ARE FILLED TO CAPACITY (EXCEPT WASTE TANKS).STATUS:A RECALL REQUEST LETTER WAS SENT 2/5/87. BY LETTER DATED 2/24/87COACHMEN INDUSTRIES DECLINED TO RECALL. DEFECT REVIEW PANEL MEETING HELDON 4/27/87. CLOSED THIS EA AND OPENED INVESTIGATIVE CASE C87-001-013.===

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
EA87003
Investigation type
Engineering Analysis (EA)
Status
Closed
Manufacturer
COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Component
SUSPENSION
Opened
Nov 14, 1986
Closed
Apr 27, 1987
Associated recall campaign
None recorded

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.