NHTSA Investigation PE14024

Loss of brake warning lights

On July 22, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to investigate field reports describing the loss of brake lights in model year (MY) 2013 Isuzu N-series trucks.During the course of this investigation, Isuzu informed ODI that the subject vehicle population consisted of multiple vehicle configurations including a walk-in step van.According to Isuzu, the reported brake lamp failures are associated with a brake lamp switch located near the steering column on these walk-in style vans.Isuzu believes the brake lamp switches in the walk-in vans are susceptible to weather and/or driver foot contact resulting from its open configuration and the drivers seating position.In more severe circumstances, interference with the brake switch can lead to corrosion and/or brake lamp failure.The contact and/or bending of the brake switch can interfere with the electrical contact points.Bending of the brake switch can also result in the plunger sticking or breaking.Either condition can result in a loss of brake warning lamp operation.Based on a warranty analysis conducted by Isuzu, 3,564 N-Series walk-in vans built during (MY) 2012 through 2014 are included in recall 14V-735.The recalled population of vehicles includes the 2,156 walk-in vans subject of this investigations.Based on ODI's review of Isuzu's analysis of warranty claims data,ODI believes that Isuzu has properly identified the population of vehicles at an unreasonable risk of experiencing a brake lamp failure.With the recall action taken by Isuzu, this investigation is closed as further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on N-series vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

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.