NHTSA Investigation RQ12001

PDM Failures

ODI opened this investigation based on Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data screening activities that indicated that numerous PDMs failed on 2007 M2 vehicles that were not part of the manufacturer's voluntary recall, 08V-154.The information available during the screening effort did not differentiate PDMs controlling trailer lighting from other PDMs used on the vehicle.ODI opened this investigation in order to collect additional information and ensure the scope of the original recall was appropriate.Recall 08V-154 was limited to trailer PDMs located on the fuel tank bracket.M2 vehicles utilized a total of eight locations to mount the trailer PDM.When comparing the warranty claims for each of the locations separately, the claim rate for the recalled population is over 3 times higher than the non-recalled population with other mounting locations.After seven years of service and no known crashes, fires or injuries, the data suggests that when mounted in the locations not included in the original recall, the subject PDM does not pose an unreasonable risk to highway safety at this time.For this reason, this investigation is closed and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists in the subject vehicles.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.