NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE87021
Preliminary Evaluation · General Motors, LLC · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
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
MUFFLERS EXPLODE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEENCONTACTED.RECALL AND SERVICE BULLETIN FILES WILL BE SEARCHED.ANALYSIS:THREE SCHOOL BUS BODY COMPANIES INDICATE THAT THE SUBJECTVEHICLES ARE PRONE TO VIOLENT BACKFIRING.REPORTEDLY THE PROBLEM OCCURS ASTHE CHASSIS IS DRIVEN ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE.EXPLOSIONS ARE REPORTED ASSEVERE, WITH MUFFLERS BEING BLOWN OPEN, SPEWING SHRAPNEL, FLAMES, ANDSPARKS.REPORTEDLY ONE EMPLOYEE RECEIVED SINGED HAIR AND EYEBROWS.ASECOND EMPLOYEE SUFFERED DEAFNESS IN ONE EAR EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS WEARINGAPPROPRIATE EAR PROTECTION.THE PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO CHANGES IN THEFUEL AND EMISSION SYSTEMS, IMPROPER USE OF THE MANUAL CHOKE, AND NUMEROUSENGINE STARTS AND SHUTDOWNS ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE.PROPOSED ACTION:TO OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.===
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
- PE87021
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- General Motors, LLC
- Component
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
- Opened
- Feb 9, 1987
- Closed
- May 14, 1987
- 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.