Investigation PE04019: Vehicles

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Feb 24, 2004

Closed

Jun 22, 2004

Model years

—

Subject

Driver seat pedestals

Component: Seats

Summary

During the pe, odi visited the complaining fleet and contacted other fleets in an effort to understand the apparent, limited failure pattern.odi still has concerns that the pedestal failures arenot isolated events.odi has learned that there are two distinct populations of seat pedestals, those supplied by c.e. White (1999 models) and those supplied by ic corporation (2000-2001 models).odi is aware of complaints on both pedestal manufacturers.currently, it appears that the failures are fatigue fractures.normally this type of failure is progressive, however, there are no reports for units installed in the earlier model year (1998). Odi has discussed the matter with ic and will conduct a joint physical survey of several large fleets.during this survey, other fleets with each type ofpedestal will be examined to determine whether or not the problem is more widespread than the complaining fleet.the results of these examinations and inspections will weigh heavily on future decisions by odi.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.