NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA89035
Engineering Analysis · Williams Controls, Inc. · 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
RETURN SPRING
SUMMARY:SUBJECT ELECTRONIC PEDALS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DOUBLE RETURNSPRING.TWO UNITS REPORTEDLY HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED, WITH SEVERAL OTHERSEXPERIENCING A SINGLE SPRING FAILURE.WILLIAMS ATTEMPTED TO ADDRESS THEISSUE WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN MANDATING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECTSPRINGS, AND BIANNUAL REPLACEMENT.THIS PROCEDURE IS DEEMED UNREALISTICFOR OVER THE ROAD TRUCK OPERATORS.FAILURE OF THE SPRINGS RESULTS IN WIDEOPEN THROTTLE.WILLIAMS CURRENTLY IS CONDUCTING A FLEET SURVEY ANDADDITIONAL DURABILITY TESTING TO DETERMINE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM.AT LEAST TWO TRUCKS MANUFACTURERS HAVE ISSUED STRONGLY WORDED SERVICEBULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE SAFETYIMPLICATIONS.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED.===
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
- EA89035
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Williams Controls, Inc.
- Component
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
- Opened
- Aug 29, 1989
- Closed
- Nov 16, 1990
- Associated recall campaign
- 90E010000
Vehicles named in this investigation
4 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.