Investigation PE04056: Vehicles

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Aug 3, 2004

Closed

Dec 8, 2004

Model years

—

Subject

Loss of adaptive steering control

Component: Equipment adaptive/mobility

Summary

This pe was opened based on an ohio disabled owner's allegation that the ids hlss adaptive steering system, installed in his ford e250 van, suddenly failed while underway resulting in a crash.shortly after opening the pe, odi became aware of another ids steering system failure allegation in ohio, this one involving a 1998 chrysler town & country minivan.while driving in a parking lot, the steering suddenly failed to respond to inputs and would steer either full lock left or right unintionally.no crash resulted.the vehicle was transported to vrtc (nhtsa's test facility) for diagnosis.subsequently, we briefed the ids president.ids then decided to conduct a safety recall (04e-089) of its steering systems.with ids' recall, this pe is closed.a copy of the recall is attached.

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.