Wheel bearing failure

What NHTSA is examining

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) investigation on September 28th 2015 to investigate field reports submitted by Isuzu during quarterly Early Warning Reporting (EWR) describing wheel bearing failure(s) on model year (MY) 2012-2015 N-Series trucks.In addition an ODI investigator interviewed Isuzu automotive technicians to better understand the impact of this alleged failure mechanism.Isuzu technicians indicated subject Isuzu trucks had been brought in with bearings showing signs of excessive heat. On December 18th 2015 ODI received a response from Isuzu to an Information Request (IR) letter sent to them by the agency.Isuzu indicated that while they have an elevated warranty rate on certain model vehicles, there are no consumer complaints, injuries, crashes, property damage, fires or wheel off events related to bearing failures.In the worst case Isuzu explained that drivers were able to reach the roadside or other locations of safety when a bearing failure occurred.Conditions where wheel bearing has seized, the vehicle(s) could continue to be driven for a number of miles, producing a loud noise while the ABS warning light illuminates.Isuzu is aware of the elevated warranty numbers for certain model and MY vehicles and will issue an extended warranty for the subject population and further expand the scope to 2016 vehicles.Walk in van (MY 2012-2016) and diesel 14.5K truck (MY 2011-2016) owners will receive letters informing them…

Vehicles under investigation