NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE12008
Preliminary Evaluation · Navistar, Inc. · PARKING BRAKE
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
Engine compartment fires
ODI became aware of three bus fires that originated in the area of the transmission on the subject vehicles through media reports.Inspection of the vehicles indicated that the static parking brake, which is located behind the transmission, may have been applied as a result of an air leak while the vehicles were in motion.Under certain driving conditions, the parking brake can apply without the audible driver warning engaging.Parking brake application while the vehicle is in motion may result in a fire.To address the concerns of this investigation, Navistar has issued a recall (12V-479) that will add a switch to detect parking brake lever movement while the vehicle is in motion (in addition to the existing switch that monitors brake line air pressure) and set an additional warning light to warn the driver of application of the parking brake.Navistar's recall actions address the issues raised by this investigation and as a result this investigation is closed.
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
- PE12008
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Navistar, Inc.
- Component
- PARKING BRAKE
- Opened
- Mar 22, 2012
- Closed
- Oct 11, 2012
- Associated recall campaign
- 12V479000
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.