NHTSA Investigation PE05025

CRACKED OR BROKEN WHEELS

IN RESPONSE TO THE PRODUCT FAILURES THAT PROMPTED ODI TO INITIATE INVESTIGATION PE05-025, DOUBLETREE RV HAS FILED DEFECT NOTICE 05V-425 THAT PROPOSES TO CONDUCT A PRODUCT RECALL TO REPLACE CERTAIN 16 CHROME PLATED STEEL WHEELS THAT WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2005 AND APRIL 30, 2005 IN APPROXIMATELY 142 2005 MODEL YEAR FIFTH WHEEL RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. TREDIT TIRE, DOUBLETREE RV'S SUPPLIER OF TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES, HAD INVESTIGATED THE REASONS FOR THE CRACKED AND BROKEN WHEELS, DETERMINED THE CAUSES, AND NOTIFIED DOUBLETREE RV AND ODI (05E-051) OF THEIR FINDINGS IN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 2005.DOUBLETREE RV HAS NOT YET PROVIDED ODI WITH COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT PAST INCIDENTS OF CRACKED, BROKEN, AND/OR LEAKING WHEELS. IN THE EVENT THAT DOUBLETREE RV REPORTS THAT WHEEL FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 2005, ODI WILL EVALUATE WHETHER ADDITIONAL ACTIONS APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED FORVEHICLES NOT CURRENTLY ADDRESSED BY CAMPAIGN O5V-425.

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.