Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARKING BRAKE - CONVENTIONAL - AIR | ||||||
| EA11011 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 09/09/2011 | Haldex Spring Brake Failures | |||
| Odi opened a preliminary evaluation(pe11-007) based on one fleet report that it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires.the fleet believed the fires were due to a power spring fracturing and puncturing a brake chamber diaphragm resulting in a loss of compressed air to the brakes.the loss of air was then believed to cause the brakes to drag and overheat.brake chambers have a limited service life and are subject to wear out and the effects of corrosion.however, the failures identified by the fleet occurred much earlier in their life than expected and may not have exhibited discernible failure symptoms or provided adequate warning to the operator.a vehicle driver suffered smoke inhalation during one of the fires suspected to have been caused by the alleged dragging brakes.another injury was sustained by a mechanic when he attempted to remove the brake chamber with a broken power spring.the brake chamber sprung from its mounting bracket as it was loosened and struck the mechanic in the face, causing multiple lacerations.odi has initiated testing at the vehicle research and test center (vrtc) to determine the cause of the spring failures and the effect they may have on the wheel-end brakes.odi is also looking to better understand any warning signs that may precede a power spring failure.odi has upgraded this investigation to an engineering analysis to further evaluate the cause of the wheel fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
| EA11011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA | 09/09/2011 | Haldex Spring Brake Failures | |||
| Odi opened a preliminary evaluation(pe11-007) based on one fleet report that it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires.the fleet believed the fires were due to a power spring fracturing and puncturing a brake chamber diaphragm resulting in a loss of compressed air to the brakes.the loss of air was then believed to cause the brakes to drag and overheat.brake chambers have a limited service life and are subject to wear out and the effects of corrosion.however, the failures identified by the fleet occurred much earlier in their life than expected and may not have exhibited discernible failure symptoms or provided adequate warning to the operator.a vehicle driver suffered smoke inhalation during one of the fires suspected to have been caused by the alleged dragging brakes.another injury was sustained by a mechanic when he attempted to remove the brake chamber with a broken power spring.the brake chamber sprung from its mounting bracket as it was loosened and struck the mechanic in the face, causing multiple lacerations.odi has initiated testing at the vehicle research and test center (vrtc) to determine the cause of the spring failures and the effect they may have on the wheel-end brakes.odi is also looking to better understand any warning signs that may precede a power spring failure.odi has upgraded this investigation to an engineering analysis to further evaluate the cause of the wheel fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
| PARKING BRAKE - DRIVELINE - AIR - CHAMBER | ||||||
| PE11007 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 03/29/2011 | 09/23/2011 | Haldex Brake Chamber Spring Failures | ||
| Odi opened this preliminary evaluation based on a fleet report that it had experienced multiple wheel-end fires.the fleet believed this was due to the power spring fracturing and subsequently puncturing the diaphragm resulting in an air loss causing the brakes to drag.a vehicle driver suffered smoke inhalation during one of the fires suspected to have been caused by the alleged defect.another injury was sustained by a mechanic when he attempted to remove the brake chamber with a broken power spring.the brake chamber sprung from its mounting bracket and struck the mechanic in the face, causing multiple lacerations.brake chambers have a limited life span and are subject to wear out.however, the failures identified by the fleet are much earlier than expected and may not exhibit discernible failure symptoms.odi initiated testing at the vehicle research and test center (vrtc) to determine the cause of the spring failure and to better understand any warning signs that may be present.vrtc's testing is ongoing as is haldex's inspection of failed chambers returned from the fleet.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea11-011) to further evaluate the cause of the fires and assess the scope, frequency, and safety consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
| PE11007 | FREIGHTLINER LLC | 03/29/2011 | Haldex Brake Chamber Spring Failures | |||
| A fleet reported to odi that they have had multiple spring failures of the haldex brake chambers on their vehicles.a failed spring can puncture the diaphragm allowing the parking brake to partially apply while the vehicle is in motion.this partial application is the alleged cause of 3 wheel-end fires.the reporting fleet disassembled several brake chambers and learned that the spring had broken and subsequently punctured the diaphragm.the combination of a broken spring and a leaking diaphragm results in the partial application of the brake. this causes the brakes to drag and generate heat.the driver may be unaware that a brake is dragging as there are no explicit warning signs.the first clear indication the driver would have while driving would be a visual detection of smoke coming from the wheel-end.odi has opened a pe to further evaluate the cause, scope and safety risk that this alleged defect possesses. | ||||||