NHTSA Investigation PE04016

WHEEL SEPARATION

IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S JUNE 1, 2004 PE INQUIRY,JAYCO ADVISED ODI OF 58 WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN JAYCO PRODUCTS.THREE (3) ARE MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 TRAVEL TRAILERSAND FIFTY-FIVE (55) ARE MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 FIFTH WHEEL TOWABLE RVS EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS.JAYCO HAS ALSO ADVISED ODI THAT AN ADDITIONAL TWO (2) WHEEL SEPARATIONS OCCURRED DURING JUNE, 2004, FOR AN OVERALL TOTAL OF SIXTY. ODI CONDUCTED A FIELD INSPECTION OF THE JAYCO VEHICLE THAT LOST A WHEEL ON JUNE 11, 2004.THE INSPECTION FOUND EVIDENCE OF COATING MATERIAL BETWEEN THEHUB AND WHEEL MOUNTING FACES.FOREIGN MATERIAL SUCH AS COATINGS IN THE WHEEL MOUNTING JOINT CAN COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE NUTS TO MAINTAIN CLAMP AND LEAD TO NUT LOOSENING AND/OR STUD BREAKAGE AND COULD RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.A WHEEL THAT SEPARATES FROM A VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS POSES A HAZARD TO OTHER USERS OF THE ROADWAY AND CAN AFFECT THE STABILITY AND SAFETY OF THE AFFECTED RV.THIS PE IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

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.