RoadVitals

NHTSA safety investigation

NHTSA Investigation EA88007

Engineering Analysis · General Motors, LLC · 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.
28
7 models
Opened
Nov 6, 1987
Engineering Analysis
Closed
Oct 24, 1988
Associated recall 88V110001

What NHTSA is examining

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

LOWER CONTROL ARM

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER IS IN RECEIPT OFONE COMPLAINT AND FIVE FIELD REPORTS.PRODUCT REPORT ANALYSIS STATES THELOWER CONTROL ARM FROM WAGGONER CORPORATION APPEARS TO HAVE A SMALL RADIUSAT THE TRANSITION OF THE SIDE WALL TO THE BALL STUD NOSE.CURRENT STAMPINGSOURCE, S.K.D., ALSO HAS A SMALL RADIUS IN THE SAME AREA.S.K.D. HASCHANGED THE TRIM TO INCREASE THE RADIUS TO 1 INCH AND PROVIDE ADDITIONALSTRENGTH IN THE BALL STUD AREA.ANALYSIS:FAILURE DATA INDICATES THE LEFT CONTROL ARM AND DIESEL ENGINEAPPLICATION ARE OVER REPRESENTED.ALL KNOWN FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT LOWSPEEDS, OR HAVE BEEN LOCATED AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY OFMAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS.BALL JOINT SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN COLLAPSE OFFRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ACTION: IR TO GM SENT 11/19/87 CONTACT FLEET OWNERS.===

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
EA88007
Investigation type
Engineering Analysis (EA)
Status
Closed
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Component
SUSPENSION
Opened
Nov 6, 1987
Closed
Oct 24, 1988
Associated recall campaign
88V110001

Vehicles named in this investigation

28 model years across 7 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.