NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE03033
Preliminary Evaluation · Suzuki Motor USA, LLC · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
CAM CHAIN TENSIONER (CCT)
SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE SAFETY-RELATED PERFORMANCE OF SUZUKI'S REMEDY IN RECALL 99V-312, ODI HAS:CONTACTED AFFECTED OWNERS;DISCUSSED THE REMEDY'S PERFORMANCE WITH SUZUKI SERVICE DEPTS;OBTAINED AN OE CCT, AN ORIGINAL REMEDY CCT, AND A FINAL REMEDY CCT;AND REVIEWED SUZUKI'S RESPONSE TO OUR INFORMATION REQUEST.THE RECALL WAS LAUNCED ON MAY 20, 1999.SHORTLY THEREAFTER SUZUKI RECEIVED REPORTS OF REMEDY CCT FAILURES, MOST INVOLVING CAM CHAIN NOISE.OF THE 141 REPORTS INVOLVING A REMEDY CCT FAILURE, SIX INVOLVED INCIDENTS OCCURING IN 2003, WITH APRIL 28, 2003 BEING THE MOST RECENT OCCURANCE.IN CALENDAR YEARS 2000-2002 THERE WERE 130 REPORTED REMEDY CCT FAILURES.OF THE 141 REPORTS, 113 INVOLVE CAM CHAIN NOISE AND 26 CONCERN CAM TIMING.THE LONE CRASH OCCURRED ON APRIL 25, 2001.CURRENTLY, NO DEFECT TREND EXISTS WITH THE REMEDY CCTS.
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
- PE03033
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
- Component
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Opened
- Jul 23, 2003
- Closed
- Nov 13, 2003
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
4 model years across 2 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.