NHTSA opens recall query into Hitachi Cable America Nylon Brake Hose Assembly and PVC Brake Hose Assembly: Certification, Recall Scope, Timeliness
On March 22, 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ23001) into Hitachi Cable America Nylon Brake Hose Assembly and PVC Brake Hose Assembly. A Recall Query examines an earlier recall, for example whether its repair works or whether it covers every affected vehicle. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- RQ23001 (Recall Query)
- Status
- Open
- Listed
- 2 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Hitachi Cable America |
|---|---|
| Models | Nylon Brake Hose Assembly, PVC Brake Hose Assembly |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
On July 27, 2022, Hitachi Cable America Inc. (HCA), now known as Proterial Cable America, Inc. (PCA), filed a Part 573 Noncompliance Information Report (recall report) and amended its filing four times and as recently as November 16, 2022 (Recall No. 22E-061).HCA's recall report recalled 5,972,187 brake hose assemblies sold as original equipment, service parts, or customization kits for use in motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson, Inc. based on a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 106, Brake hoses. Harley-Davidson, Inc. also subsequently filed a corresponding recall on August 9, 2022 (Recall No. 22V-608).HCA's recall report described the noncompliances for the population of brake hose assemblies as consisting of various performance noncompliances: whip, water absorption whip, brake fluid compatibility, and high temperature impulse test. In its July 27, 2022 recall report, HCA initially limited the recall population to an unspecified number of hoses manufactured between May 2, 2022 and July 16, 2022.On October 18, 2022, HCA expanded the recall to include over 5.9 million brake hose assemblies manufactured since February 28, 2007.The chronology HCA submitted with its recall report includes information on repeated test failures. This RQ will investigate the timeliness of HCA's brake hose assembly recall and HCA's compliance with reporting requirements. The RQ will also investigate the scope of the recall due to HCA supplying potentially similar parts to numerous manufacturers. Noncompliant brake hose assemblies can lead to loss of brake function on a vehicle, and consequently, a vehicle crash.HCA and Harley-Davidson have filed petitions asserting that the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, which remain pending. The RQ will also investigate HCA's basis for certifying the brake hose assemblies as compliant with FMVSS 106.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for RQ23001, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
Timeline
- ODI opens recall query RQ23001
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search RQ23001 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.