NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA89029
Engineering Analysis · CROWN AUTO TOP MFG. · SEATS
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
SEAT BACK FAILURE
SUMMARY:SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORTS EXTENDED SEAT BACKS ARE BREAKING AWAYFROM THE SEATS SOLID FRAME.SEAT BACK SEPARATION COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTALEFFECT ON THE VEHICLES COMPARTMENTALIZATION PRINCIPLE IN THE EVENT OF ASERIOUS ACCIDENT.COMPARTMENTALIZATION, AS OUTLINED IN THE STANDARD, REQUIRES STRENGTH INTHE ENTIRE SEATING SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE FLOOR, THE SEAT FRAME AND THEFASTENING OF THE FRAMES TO THE FLOOR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING SEATSYSTEM PADDING AND FLEXIBILITY TO ABSORB ENERGY IN A CRASH.CROWN CLAIMS THE FAILURES RESULT FROM ABUSE AND ARE ISOLATED.A RECENTTELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE FLEET INVOLVED INDICATED THAT 43 ADDITIONALSEATS WERE RECENTLY REMOVED (BY CROWN) FOR WELDING REPAIRS.===
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
- EA89029
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- CROWN AUTO TOP MFG.
- Component
- SEATS
- Opened
- Jul 28, 1989
- Closed
- Sep 24, 1990
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
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.