NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA88017
Engineering Analysis · ESTABLISMENT INDUSTRIES · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
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
FUEL TANK INTEGRITY
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURES:THE AEROLITE IS BUILT ON AMODIFIED GM M VAN (ASTRO/SAFARI) CHASSIS WHERE THE FRAME RAILS ARE EXTENDEDAND THE REAR AXLE IS REPLACED WITH A FULL SIZE GM LIGHT TRUCK AXLE.THESTANDARD AEROLITE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 27 GALLON FUEL TANK.ANALYSIS:THE UNIVERSAL JOINT CAN IMPACT AND PENETRATE THE FUEL TANK UNDERCERTAIN CONDITIONS INCLUDING:VEHICLE LOADING, ROAD CONDITIONS, ANDDRIVING CHARACTERISTICS BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THETANK TO THEDRIVE SHAFT.IF THE REAR AIR BAG SUSPENSION LEAKS, THE CLEARANCE BETWEENTHE DRIVESHAFT AND THE FUEL TANK IS FURTHER REDUCED.THE ORIGINAL FUELTANK WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW TANK AND STRAP ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE GREATERCLEARANCE.#===
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
- EA88017
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- ESTABLISMENT INDUSTRIES
- Component
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
- Opened
- Jan 19, 1988
- Closed
- May 3, 1988
- Associated recall campaign
- 88V051000
Vehicles named in this investigation
1 model year 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.