NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE88002
Preliminary Evaluation · General Motors, LLC · STEERING
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
FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT SOME 1987 GMC S/T MODEL TRUCKS MAYEXPERIENCE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP SUPPORT BRACE. THISCONDITION CAN IN TURN LEAD TO POSSIBLE FRACTURE OF THE POWER STEERINGPUMP MOUNTING BRACKET AND/OR LOSS OF THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY DRIVEBELT. LOSS OF THE DRIVE BELT WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF A/C, GENERATOR,POWER STEERING ASSIST AND WATER PUMP OPERATION.ANALYSIS: THERE ARE NO REPORTS IN THE ODI LETTER FILE REGARDING THISPROBLEM.ALTHOUGH G.M. HAS 153 COMPLAINTS, MOST OFWHICH ARE WARRANTY CLAIMS, ONLY TWO ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED THATWERE ALLEGDLY CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE P/S SYSTEM. P/S ASSIST FAILURESHOULD NOT NEGATE STEERING CONTROL EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN APPRECIABLEINCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT.======
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
- PE88002
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- General Motors, LLC
- Component
- STEERING
- Opened
- Oct 9, 1987
- Closed
- Apr 22, 1988
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
8 model years across 8 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.