
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76481-76490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31343]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Denial of a petition for a defect investigation.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a 
petition Defect Petition (DP) 10-004 submitted by Ms. Lalitha 
Seetharaman (petitioner) with the assistance of Emerick Bohmer to NHTSA 
by a letter received on November 5, 2010, under 49 CFR part 552. The 
petitioners request an investigation of brake failure in model year 
2005 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Derek Rinehardt, Vehicle Controls 
Division, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone (202) 366-3642. Email 
derek.rinehardt@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Section--1.0 Introduction

    Interested persons may petition NHTSA requesting that the agency 
initiate an investigation to determine whether a motor vehicle or item 
of replacement equipment does not comply with an applicable motor 
vehicle safety standard or contains a defect that relates to motor 
vehicle safety. 49 CFR 552.1. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition 
the agency conducts a technical review of the petition, material 
submitted with the petition, and any additional information. Sec.  
552.6. After considering the technical review and taking into account 
appropriate factors, which may include, among others, allocation of 
agency resources, agency priorities, and the likelihood of success in 
litigation that might arise from a determination of a noncompliance or 
a defect related to motor vehicle safety, the agency will grant or deny 
the petition. Sec.  552.8.

Petition Review--DP10-004

Section--2.0 Background Information

    Ms. Lalitha Seetharaman of Newton, Pennsylvania (sometimes referred 
to as ``Petitioner''), with the assistance of Mr. Emerick Bohmer, a 
friend of about a year, filed a petition on November 5, 2010 with NHTSA 
alleging that she was the driver of a model year (MY) 2005 Honda Accord 
Hybrid (subject vehicle), VIN JHMCN36425C005487, that experienced a 
brake failure. The petition states that the incident allegedly occurred 
on July 23, 2005, while braking and, at the same time, driving over 
rumble strips adjacent to her lane of travel on highway I-195 in New 
Jersey. In her petition, Ms. Seetharaman further alleges the brake 
failure resulted in a crash, fatally injuring her husband, Mr. Gautama 
Saroop (the front seat passenger), severely injuring the petitioner 
(the driver), and severely injuring the two occupants of a MY 1990 Ford 
Tempo vehicle that was struck by the petitioner's vehicle.
    In March of 2005, four months prior to the crash, Ms. Seetharaman 
purchased the subject vehicle as a birthday present for her husband. On 
the evening of the crash, Ms. Seetharaman, who also owns a 1999 Mazda 
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] as her normal usage vehicle, was driving the 
subject vehicle with her husband as the passenger from their home in 
Newtown, PA to Bellmawr, NJ. The events leading to the crash and the 
crash itself are described by Ms. Seetharaman in the petition document 
and in a vehicle owner questionnaire (VOQ) 10329383 submitted to NHTSA. 
The two documents contain similar summaries of the event. The Defect 
Petition, at page 39, states:

    While traveling East on I-195, I saw that a Police Officer had a 
vehicle pulled over on the right shoulder of the highway. I moved 
over to the left lane in order to decrease any chance of an accident 
with the stopped vehicles. When I did, I crossed onto the rumble 
strip on the left side of the highway. I applied the brakes while on 
the rumble strip to bring the vehicle under control, and nothing 
happened (no brakes) and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably.
    I tried to bring the vehicle back on the highway. Both my 
husband and myself were hoping something would bring the vehicle 
under control. In a desperate attempt to bring the vehicle under 
control my husband pulled the emergency brake. Upon pulling the

[[Page 76482]]

emergency brake, instead of helping to slow down the vehicle, the 
vehicle further became uncontrollable and started moving in the 
wrong direction. I clearly remember in the last moments before the 
vehicle went out of control screaming `Brakes! Brakes!'
    The vehicle then began to go sideways before going across the 
grass median. I later learned from the police report that we went 
into the westbound lane of the highway where we were immediately 
struck on the passenger side by a vehicle-traveling west. The 
vehicle that hit us was then struck from behind by another 
vehicle.\1\
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    \1\ The petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf can 
be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/ in the public file 
of this Defect Petition Analysis, DP10-004.

    In addition to Ms. Seetharaman's verbatim recollection of events of 
the crash, in multiple interviews with the petitioner, she supplements 
the account of the crash with the following information:
    (1) Ms. Seetharaman was in a coma for 4 months as a result of 
injuries suffered during the crash.
    (2) The delay in filing the petition was due to the extensive 
recuperation period from the injuries Ms. Seetharaman suffered in the 
accident.
    (3) The subject vehicle had not been serviced since Ms. Seetharaman 
and her husband took ownership of the vehicle 4 months prior to the 
crash.
    (4) Ms. Seetharaman stated that the reason for braking was a result 
of seeing the police traffic stop. There was no traffic immediately in 
front of her.
    (5) She was not using the cruise control feature at the time of the 
incident.
    (6) Mr. Saroop (the petitioner's husband) was the primary driver of 
the subject vehicle prior to the crash and used the subject vehicle 
primarily to travel back and forth to work. The petitioner was 
operating the vehicle the day of the crash because her husband had an 
eye stigmatism and didn't see well in the evenings.
    (7) The petitioner was charged with reckless driving however the 
charges were dismissed.
    (8) In 2006, the subject vehicle involved in the crash was disposed 
of by Ms. Seetharaman's insurance company.

Section 3.0--Police Accident Report Based Crash Details

    As supporting documentation, the petitioner submitted to the NHTSA 
a copy of the New Jersey State Police accident report.\2\ Based on the 
report, the crash occurred on July 23, 2005 at 5:48 p.m. near mile post 
2.3 on Interstate I-195 in Hamilton Twp, New Jersey. At the time of 
crash, the weather was approximately 84 [deg]F and clear.\3\ The first 
responding officer, who was just completing a traffic stop, witnessed 
the crash and the sequence of events just prior to the crash. An 
account of the crash appears in the police accident report prepared by 
the responding police officer:
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    \2\ The police accident report can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/ in the public file of this Defect 
Petition Analysis, DP10-004, on pages 25 through 33 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf''.
    \3\ Historical Information based on weather conditions at the 
crash location documented on http://www.wunderground.com. 
Interviewing the petitioner she also noted the conditions were clear 
on the day of the incident.

    On this date I was on a routine traffic stop on 1-195 eastbound 
at milepost 2.5 at 1745 hours. As I completed the traffic stop and 
proceeded to my patrol vehicle SPA288, I witnessed Vehicle 
1 [Petitioner's vehicle] traveling eastbound on 1-195 
towards my location out of control. Vehicle 1 swerved over 
the left side rumble strip came back into the left lane, accelerated 
back over the left side rumble strip off the roadway through the 
grass median (shrubbery) and into westbound traffic. Immediately as 
Vehicle 1 entered the left lane of westbound traffic it was 
struck on the passenger side by Vehicle 2. On impact, 
Vehicle 1 overturned and Vehicle 2 was struck from 
behind by Vehicle 3. The accident occurred at 1748 hours 
and traffic was moderate heading eastbound and westbound. There were 
no other vehicles traveling in the area of Vehicle 1 when 
it left the roadway. I immediately notified communications while 
moving my vehicle closer to the accident scene. The driver and 
passenger in Vehicle 1 were unconscious and unresponsive. 
The driver and passenger in Vehicle 2 were also unconscious 
and unresponsive. The driver of Vehicle 3 exited her 
vehicle and I advised her to remain on the shoulder of roadway. 
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Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene immediately.

    Figure 1 contains a graphical account of the crash as noted by the 
responding officer in the police accident report.

[[Page 76483]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE11.000

Section 4.0--Petition Allegation Discussion

    In DP10-004, the petitioner identifies MY 2005 Honda Accord Hybrids 
as the subject vehicles and requests that NHTSA investigate and recall 
all Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles for a braking defect alleged to be 
similar to the defect addressed by recall 10V-039 (MY 2010 Toyota Prius 
vehicles).\4\ In the defect petition, the petitioner makes six 
allegations, each of which is individually addressed herein.
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    \4\ Details of recall 10V-039 can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallsearch.cfm.
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Allegation 1: The Petitioner Alleges That She ``Applied the Brakes 
While on the Rumble Strips To Bring the Vehicle Under Control, and 
Nothing Happened (No Brakes).'' The Petitioner Further Alleges ``the 
Vehicle Accelerated Uncontrollably'' \5\
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    \5\ Allegation noted by the petitioner on page 39 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' in the public 
file of DP10-004. The file can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/
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    As the crash occurred in July of 2005 and the vehicle was 
indisposed at the time the petition was filed nearly 5 years after the 
crash, NHTSA was not able to conduct a vehicle inspection of the 
subject vehicle. NHTSA conducted vehicle testing on an exemplar subject 
vehicle at its Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) in East 
Liberty, OH. NHTSA could not replicate a brake failure similar to that 
described by the petitioner in testing of an exemplar vehicle. Results 
of the testing are summarized in Section 6.0 of this report. Complete 
testing results are also available in the public file of this defect 
petition.
    With regard to the petitioner's association of the incident she 
experienced and the defect condition addressed by Toyota in recall 10V-
039, significant differences are noted between the subject and recalled 
vehicles: (1) The vehicles use fundamentally different hybrid systems, 
including different hybrid and brake system architectures and brake 
control logic; (2) the condition addressed by Toyota in recall 10V-039 
was associated with slight differences in brake line pressure caused by 
switching of the brake hydraulic circuit from linear to hydraulic mode 
following antilock brake (ABS) activation; and (3) the brake hydraulic 
circuit in the subject vehicles does not change when ABS is activated. 
The Toyota Prius braking complaints associated with the condition 
addressed by recall 10V-039 described symptoms related to brief 
disruptions in expected braking decelerations following ABS activation. 
None of the associated

[[Page 76484]]

Toyota complaints alleged an uncontrollable acceleration event.

Allegation 2: The Petitioner Alleges That the Police Accident Report 
Shows That, Aside From the Alleged Defect in the Subject Vehicle, There 
Were No Other Contributing Factors to the Crash \6\
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    \6\ Allegation noted by the petitioner on page 6 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' in the public 
file of DP10-004. The file can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/.
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    The police accident report does not mention or suggest a vehicle-
based defect existed or contributed to the subject vehicle's crash. 
Rather, in the Police Accident report,\7\ the investigating police 
officer, who was also a witness to the crash, states:

    \7\ The police officer's full statement can be found on page 27 
of a document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' at http://www.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/ in the public file of this Defect 
Petition Analysis, DP10-004.

    As I completed the traffic stop and proceeded to my patrol 
vehicle SPA288, I witnessed Vehicle 1 traveling eastbound 
on 1-195 towards my location out of control. Vehicle 1 
swerved over the left side rumble strip~ came back into the left 
lane, accelerated back over the left side rumble strip off the 
roadway through the grass median (shrubbery) and into westbound 
traffic. Immediately as Vehicle 1 entered the left lane of 
westbound traffic it was struck on the passenger side by Vehicle 
2. On impact, Vehicle 1 overturned and Vehicle 
2 was struck from behind by Vehicle 3. The 
accident occurred at 1748 hours and traffic was moderate heading 
eastbound and westbound. There were no other vehicles traveling in 
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the area of Vehicle 1 when it left the roadway.

The police accident report notes that the petitioner's vehicle 
``swerved over the left side rumble strip~ came back into the left 
lane, accelerated back over the left side rumble strip off the 
roadway.'' This statement suggests the vehicle may have been out of 
control (`swerved') prior to traveling over the rumble strips.

Allegation 3: The Petitioner Asserts That the Honda's Integrated Motor 
Assist (IMA) Technology Used in the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Honda 
Civic Hybrid Have Identical Designs \8\
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    \8\ Allegation noted by the petitioner on page 2 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' in the public 
file of DP10-004. The file can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/.
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    The IMA technologies used by Honda in the Accord Hybrid and Civic 
Hybrid models have some similarities; however, several differences 
exist with regard to brake control. In fact, within the Honda Civic 
Hybrid model, differences exist between the first generation (MY 2003-
2005) and the second generation (MY 2006-2011). All of Honda Hybrid 
vehicles discussed in this defect petition analysis utilizes a 
different braking strategy than that in the Toyota Prius.
Braking Function in Honda Hybrid Vehicles
    Because the petitioner alleged a braking failure prior to the 
crash, this section will give a brief overview of the brake system 
function during normal and ABS braking events.
Braking Function in a Non-ABS Braking Event
    The braking strategy for all three Honda Hybrid models have 
similarities incorporating regenerative braking (the electric motor is 
used as a generator to supplement braking while recharging the 
vehicle's batteries), in addition to traditional hydraulic braking. The 
models differ in the integration of the regenerative braking system 
into the overall braking system. These differences are as follows:
1. Honda Accord Hybrid (Manufactured Only During MY 2005-2007)
    When the accelerator pedal is off (not depressed), a regenerative 
braking force equivalent to internal combustion engine braking is 
generated (Accelerator off regeneration). When the brake is operated, 
the regenerative braking force is increased proportional to operation 
amount (master cylinder hydraulic pressure). Regenerative braking force 
varies according to vehicle speed. The maximum regenerative 
deceleration during brake on regeneration varies according to the 
amount of brake operation (master cylinder hydraulic pressure).
2. Honda Civic Hybrid 1st Generation (MY 2003-2005)
    When the accelerator pedal is off, the regenerative braking force 
equivalent to the engine brake is generated (Accelerator off 
regeneration). Differing from the Honda Accord Hybrid, when the brake 
is operated, regenerative braking force is increased when brake lamp 
switch is on (Brake on regeneration). Regenerative braking force varies 
according to vehicle speed.
3. Honda Civic Hybrid 2nd Generation (MY 2006-2011)
    When the accelerator pedal is off, the regenerative braking force 
equivalent to the engine brake is generated (Accelerator off 
regeneration). Like the Civic 1st generation, when the brake pedal is 
operated, regenerative braking force is increased when the brake lamp 
switch is on. (Brake on regeneration). However, this model differs from 
the Accord and 1st generation Civic models in that the regenerative 
braking force is increased according to the amount of brake operation, 
and hydraulic braking force equivalent to regenerative braking force is 
controlled in the direction of reduction to generate braking force 
required by the driver by both regeneration and hydraulic braking 
(Cooperative regeneration). The regenerative braking force varies 
according to vehicle speed.
Braking Function in an ABS Braking Event
    Traveling over rumble strips while braking, as the petitioner 
alleges preceded her crash, may cause wheel slip and activate the ABS 
(as was shown in testing conducted by NHTSA summarized in Section 6.0 
of this document). However, in all Honda Hybrids referenced herein, the 
reduction in braking force is designed to be an insignificant amount 
when the ABS is activated. The hydraulic braking, which is controlled 
by the ABS, is still present. As previously discussed, the brake 
hydraulic circuit is not changed/switched when ABS is activated, which 
was the condition addressed by the Prius recall. The petitioner alleges 
that, in her incident, there were ``no brakes'' and the vehicle 
accelerated uncontrollably. The petitioner's allegation of a ``loss'' 
of braking and subsequent acceleration is at odds with NHTSA testing 
and the design of the braking system in the subject vehicles.
1. Honda Accord Hybrid (MY 2005-2007)
    When the ABS is activated, the regenerative braking force is 
reduced and the ABS is controlled by hydraulic braking. While the ABS 
is active, the reduced regenerative braking force is maintained until 
the brake is released/vehicle stops. The reduction of regenerative 
braking force amounts to a relatively small portion of the total brake 
force (hydraulic braking + regenerative braking). The hydraulic braking 
system is very similar to the traditional hydraulic system in the 
standard Accord models.
2. Honda Civic Hybrid 1st Generation (MY 2003-2005)
    Differing from the Accord Hybrid, when the ABS is activated, the 
regenerative braking is stopped and the ABS is controlled by hydraulic 
brake. While the ABS is working, the stopped regenerative braking 
condition is maintained until the brake is released/vehicle stops. When 
a certain brake

[[Page 76485]]

pedal effort is maintained while ABS is active, the total braking force 
is reduced by a relatively small amount equal to the reduction of 
regenerative braking force.
3. Honda Civic Hybrid 2nd Generation (MY 2006-2011)
    When the ABS is activated, the brake ON regenerative braking ceases 
and the accelerator off regenerative braking force is reduced. The ABS 
is controlled by the hydraulic braking system. While the ABS is active, 
the reduced regenerative braking force is maintained until the brake is 
released/vehicle stops. When a certain brake pedal effort is maintained 
while ABS is active the total braking force is reduced by a relatively 
small amount equal to the reduction of the regenerative braking force.
    In summary, all the Honda Hybrid models discussed herein maintain 
traditional hydraulic braking functionality in the case of non-ABS 
braking events or ABS braking events. The reduction or cessation (in 
the case of the 1st generation Honda Civic) in regenerative braking is 
a small portion of the total braking force. As stated and explained 
above, the petitioner's allegation of a ``loss'' of braking is 
inconsistent with the design of the braking system in the subject 
vehicles.

Allegation 4: The Petitioner Asserts That the Number of Honda 
Complaints as Compared to the Number of Toyota Prius Complaints 
Received by NHTSA Is Lower Because the Braking Problem Has Been Largely 
Ignored by Honda Hybrid Owners Due to the Lack of Media Coverage \9\
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    \9\ Allegation noted by the petitioner on page 5 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' in the public 
file of DP10-004. The file can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/.
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    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation 
PE10-006 on February 3, 2010 to investigate consumer allegations of 
momentary disruptions in expected vehicle decelerations during brake 
applications while traveling over a road disturbance such as a pothole 
or a bump in the road in 3rd generation (MY 2010) Toyota Prius Hybrid 
vehicles. The number of Prius complaints before the media coverage is 
more than all of the Honda Hybrid models combined. This fact does not 
support the petitioner's allegation that media coverage increased the 
number of Prius complaints and that the lack of media coverage explains 
the small number of the Honda Hybrid models complaints.
    As noted in Table 1, prior to February 3, 2010 (before PE10-006 was 
opened) and before there was any significant media coverage regarding 
the braking defect (highlighted in NHTSA Recall number 10V-039) in 
Toyota Prius vehicles, there was only one (1) similar complaint to 
NHTSA involving a Honda Hybrid vehicle (Honda Civic Hybrid) that was 
similar in nature to the Toyota Prius braking issue. During this time, 
there were no similar complaints related to the subject vehicles (Honda 
Accord Hybrids).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE11.001

    By contrast, before February 3, 2010, NHTSA received 124 complaints 
related to braking in MY 2010 Toyota Prius vehicles. The Honda Hybrid 
vehicles had up to 7 years of field exposure but only one complaint 
prior to the recall of the Toyota Prius.
    The effect of publicity was not reflected in complaints to NHTSA 
until February 3, 2010. Subsequently, over a two day period February 
3rd and 4th, over 700 complaints were received by the NHTSA related to 
braking issues in MY 2010 Toyota Prius vehicles.

Allegation 5: The Petitioner Asserts That Technical Service Bulletin 
(TSB) 05038 \10\ May Be Related to the Alleged Brake Failure Incident 
That Is the Subject of the Petition. Further, the Petitioner Also 
Suggests That if Honda Was Aware of a Problem With the Hybrid Braking 
System on its Vehicle Prior to the Issuance of TSB 05038 This Would Be 
a Violation of the Tread Act \11\
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    \10\ See public file of DP10-004 at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/ for copy of the TSB.
    \11\ Allegation noted by the petitioner on page 3 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' in the public 
file of DP10-004. The file can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/.
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    By way of background, in November of 2005, Honda mailed owner 
notification letters of a product update in MY 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid 
vehicles identified as TSB 05038. In the letter, Honda states:

    The problem: The computer software in your vehicle needs to be 
updated. Without the update, a technician, using a scan tool in 
generic mode on your vehicle could cause damage to your vehicle's 
electric motor battery and/or cause the engine computer to falsely 
signal engine misfires.

    The problem addressed by TSB 05038 could occur if a scan tool was 
previously used by a service technician.

[[Page 76486]]

In multiple ODI interviews with the petitioner, the petitioner noted 
that the vehicle was purchased on March 23, 2005, and that, until the 
crash on July 23, 2005, the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for 
routine maintenance or any other repairs. Thus, a scan tool was not 
used between the time the petitioner and her husband took ownership of 
the vehicle and the crash. In addition, the potential consequences of 
the TSB condition are not related to the defect alleged by the 
petitioner or any other aspect of vehicle brake system performance.
    The defect petition notes and interviews with the petitioner 
confirm that there were no signs of an engine misfire condition or any 
warning of a low battery condition. Based on all of these factors, it 
is unlikely that the conditions described in TSB 05038 have relevance 
to the crash on July 23, 2005.
    The defect petition suggests that the Transportation Recall 
Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act, commonly referred 
to as the TREAD Act, is what obligates the manufacturer to report a TSB 
to NHTSA. In fact, the reporting requirement for TSBs predates the 
TREAD Act \12\. In conformance with the regulation, Honda submitted a 
copy of the TSB to NHTSA in November of 2005.
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    \12\ Technical Service Bulletins fit into a category of 
communications sent to more than one manufacturer, distributor, 
dealer, lessor, lessee, or purchaser regarding any defect, 
regardless of safety-relatedness, in a vehicle or item of equipment. 
Prior to 2002, the requirement to submit this information was found 
in 49 CFR 573.8. With the passage of the TREAD Act, the Sec.  573.8 
requirement was moved from Part 573 to Part 579. 67 FR 45873, 45824 
(July 10, 2002). It now appears at 49 CFR 579.5.
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Allegation 6: Prior to the Petitioner's Crash on July 23, 2005, NHTSA 
Had Received Two Complaints Regarding Braking Problems With Honda 
Hybrid Vehicles When Braking on Bump, or Uneven Surfaces (ODI 
10315534, & 10311198). In the Following Months, There Were Two 
Additional Complaints (ODI 10306871, & 10307268), One of Which 
Resulted in a Crash. NHTSA Is Uncertain if Honda Had Knowledge of the 
Fatal Crash in a Fifth Complaint Belonging to the Petitioner 
(ODI 10329383) \13\
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    \13\ Allegation noted by the petitioner on page 3 of the defect 
petition document titled ``INBC-DP10004-45020P.pdf'' in the public 
file of DP10-004. The file can be found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/.
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    This section separately reviews each of these five complaints.
ODI 10315534
    On March 3, 2010 NHTSA received this complaint, involving a MY 2003 
Honda Civic Hybrid. The incident date noted in this complaint was 
January 1, 2003, nearly 7 years before the complaint was filed with the 
NHTSA. Also, contrary to the petitioner's assertion that the complaint 
was received by the NHTSA prior to her crash in 2005, the complaint was 
filed with the NHTSA more than 4 years after the petitioner's crash.
    The complaint description stated:

    Braking while on a bumpy road occasionally results in a delay of 
the braking action. We thought this was part of the ABS system, but 
there was no ABS ``feel'' in the brake pedal. With the Toyota 
problem description, we now feel it may be a similar problem. Only 
occurs while braking on rough pavement.

ODI 10311198
    On February 17, 2010 NHTSA received this complaint, involving a MY 
2005 Honda Civic Hybrid. The incident date noted in this complaint was 
June 8, 2005, more than 4 years before the complaint was filed with the 
NHTSA. Also, contrary to the petitioner's assertion that the complaint 
was received by the NHTSA prior to her crash in 2005, the complaint was 
filed with the NHTSA more than 4 years after the petitioner's crash.
    The complaint description stated:

    The contact owns a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid. The contact stated 
as he is coming to a stop and stepped on his brakes or hit a bump he 
loses his brakes it felt as if there is no brakes. The vehicle was 
taken to the dealer and contact was told this is normal. The 
manufacture was also call and inform contact they will give him a 
return call but they never did.* * *The consumer stated the problem 
has been persistent since the vehicle was purchased and still 
continues.

ODI 10306871
    On February 6, 2010, NHTSA received this complaint, involving a MY 
2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. The incident date noted in the complaint was 
August 15, 2005, more than 4 years before the complaint was filed with 
the NHTSA. Also, contrary to the petitioner's assertion that the 
complaint was received by the NHTSA prior to her crash in 2005, the 
complaint was filed with the NHTSA more than 4 years after the 
petitioner's crash.
    The complaint description stated:

    I wish to make notice to NHTSA that the issue in braking for 
Prius vehicles would seem to me to be related, in general, to 
hybrids, built in Japan, and not just Toyota. I have an '03 Honda 
Civic hybrid, and it has issues. It has been in an accident back in 
'05 and what was the issue? Braking! The car went out of control 
under heavy braking (though all these vehicles have 4 whl ABS) in an 
``animal-avoidance'' attempt. I ended up careening side-wise sliding 
until colliding with a utility pole, at the passenger side ``a'' 
pillar. Raccoon didn't survive. I had noticed on several occasions 
that the abs, upon encountering bumps or jolts of any significant 
degree, will ``cut-out'' momentarily, and further, the ``engine-
braking'' associated with the hybrid motor-generator also cuts out 
and does not return (until after the stop has been concluded using 
only the available braking methods left) (no abs ``chatter'' is to 
be observed in these scenarios). The phenomenon is definitely 
reproducible; I have often found that such bumps are virtually 
unavoidable on certain places I commonly drive near my home. It is 
such an issue that I have learned to try to compensate for that when 
driving over these bumpy places, but one can't compensate when 
encountering same in a new, unfamiliar area/situation.
    Please do look into the concept that it could be more of a 
Japanese made ABS system-fault, (possibly including engine-
regenerative braking system) rather than a Toyota-only thing. I 
would request that my note be acknowledged, myself be contacted so 
as to provide any further info needed, and my contact info be 
retained so as to be contacted regarding subsequent resolutions, ie 
recalls/legal cases/settlements. By the way, I had not ``collision'' 
insurance, thus I paid to repair my HCH [Honda Civic Hybrid] post 
that accident. I still drive the car today, though anyone would have 
called it ``totaled''. Tires--were the same set installed as OEM, 
were at least 60% even at 51k, they readily wore out afterwards-
post-acc alignment issues.

    ODI made several unsuccessful attempts to contact this complainant 
in order to obtain additional information on the incident. After 
finally making contact with the consumer approximately 5 months after 
the initial attempt, the consumer stated that he did not recall many of 
the incident's details. The complaint stated that, preceding the 
alleged crash, the driver was making an ``animal avoidance'' maneuver 
that resulted in the vehicle careening side-ways and sliding until 
eventually colliding with a utility pole. The complaint does not 
mention the vehicle travelling over a road disturbance or road 
conditions that may have trigged the ABS to function. In this incident, 
ODI has no basis upon which to determine whether the alleged crash 
could have involved a brake related failure.
ODI 10307268
    This complaint was filed with NHTSA on 2/7/2010 involving a MY 2005 
Honda Civic hybrid. The incident date noted in the complaint was 9/01/
2005 was noted, more than 4 years before the complaint was filed with 
the NHTSA. Also, contrary to the petitioner's assertion that the 
complaint was received by the NHTSA prior to her crash in 2005, the 
complaint was filed

[[Page 76487]]

with the NHTSA more than 4 years after the petitioner's crash.
    The complaint description stated:

    There was a ``momentary loss of braking capability while 
traveling over an uneven road surface, pot hole or bump.''

    ODI was able to contact the consumer for further information 
regarding the incident. In response to a survey sent by ODI to obtain 
more details about the incident described in the complaint, the 
complainant stated: ``I am still driving the car and have not had any 
problems with the brakes, so it probably is not a problem. Sometimes it 
feels like the car will not stop, but it always does.''
ODI 10329383
    On May 8, 2010, the petitioner filed this complaint. The details of 
this complaint are discussed in detail Section 2 and Section 3 of this 
document.
    In summary, the petitioner's assertion that the complaints reviewed 
in this section were received by the NHTSA prior to or shortly after 
her incident is not accurate. Rather the complaints were received by 
the NHTSA years after the incident dates and just after the opening of 
the Toyota Prius investigation PE10-006.

Section 5.0--NHTSA Field Experience Analysis

[1]. Petitioner Identified Complaints to NHTSA

    As supporting information, the petition included twenty four 
complaints filed with NHTSA as summarized in Table 2:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE11.002

    Analysis of these complaints reveals that only two involve MY 2005 
Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. One of the two is the complaint filed by 
the petitioner. Eleven of the total 24 complaints allege an issue with 
the brakes not performing as expected while braking over a road 
disturbance (e.g., a pothole, bump or railroad tracks,). The statements 
regarding braking in these complaints are similar to complaints 
regarding braking in third generation Toyota Prius vehicles. Only one 
of these eleven complaints alleges a crash occurred caused by a brake 
failure while simultaneously braking and traveling over a road 
disturbance; this one complaint was the petitioner's complaint.

[2]. Current Complaints to NHTSA (as of October 2011)

    NHTSA has conducted a more exhaustive search of its complaint 
database that went beyond what the petitioner submitted for braking 
complaints similar to those identified in the Toyota Prius 
investigation. For example, additional complaints were found using a 
keyword search of the description field of the complaints for the word 
``hybrid'' where a vehicle model was absent or improperly coded as a 
standard model). In total, three complaints filed by Honda Accord 
Hybrid owners (including the petitioner's complaint) were found to be 
similar to complaints regarding braking in third generation Toyota 
Prius vehicles.

[[Page 76488]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE11.003

    By contrast, on February 9, 2010, when Toyota announced a safety 
recall for the 3rd generation Toyota Prius, NHTSA had received 1,126 
complaints including 33 alleged crashes related to the consumer's 
perception of a momentary loss of braking while simultaneously braking 
and driving over road disturbances. The complaint rate for Prius far 
exceeded that of all the Honda Hybrid vehicles not only separately, but 
also combined.

[3]. Honda Complaint/Warranty Claim Data Summary

    In ODI's Information Request letter to Honda, the alleged defect 
was broadly written as a ``reduction in braking performance and/or 
braking failures.''
    Based on this alleged defect definition, Honda searched its 
consumer complaint and warranty claim databases for related complaints 
and warranty claims. ODI's analysis of the Honda data (summarized in 
tables 4 and 5) produced one complaint and no warranty claims similar 
to the Toyota Prius problem of a momentary reduction of braking while 
braking over road disturbances.

[[Page 76489]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07DE11.004

Section 6.0--NHTSA Vehicle Testing

    In order to better understand the braking characteristics when the 
ABS is engaged in the subject vehicle, NHTSA acquired a MY 2005 Honda 
Accord Hybrid for testing purposes. The vehicle was tested in Ohio at 
NHTSA's Vehicle Research Testing Center (VRTC) on a variety of road 
surfaces, including rumble strips and split coefficient of friction 
surfaces (asphalt/epoxy), that could trigger the ABS system to 
function. The results of the testing can be found in the public file 
associated with this Petition analysis.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ The complete testing report for DP10-004 can be found at 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In short, the testing showed that the Honda Accord hybrid brake 
system (including the ABS) is a robust system that worked in all of the 
following simulated road surfaces and situations: momentary 
perturbations, continuous rumble strips, braking then entering a rumble 
strip, and asphalt/epoxy split-coefficient situations. Moreover, the 
crash was preceded by the use of the parking brake.
    The petitioner's account of the events just preceding the crash 
states:

    In a desperate attempt to bring the vehicle under control my 
husband pulled the emergency brake. Upon pulling the emergency 
brake, instead of helping to slow down the vehicle, the vehicle 
further became uncontrollable and started moving in the wrong 
direction.

    The responding police officer's account of the events preceding the 
crash states:

    Vehicle 1 swerved over the left side rumble strip--came 
back into the left lane, accelerated back over the left side rumble 
strip off the roadway through the grass median (shrubbery) and into 
westbound traffic.

    Because the petitioner noted that her husband applied the parking 
brake (located between the driver and the passenger) during the 
sequence of events just prior to the crash, a portion of the VRTC 
testing was designed to show the effects of applying the parking brake. 
The testing showed that the

[[Page 76490]]

application of the parking brake while on a rumble strip or split-
coefficient of friction surface results in a high rate of vehicle yaw 
(angle change rotating around the vertical axis) that is uncontrollable 
because the locking of the rear wheel decreases its ability to resist 
lateral forces.
    Based upon the inspections and tests of a 2005 Honda Accord hybrid 
vehicle and the allegations by the petitioner of a brake failure, the 
following conclusions were noted by VRTC.
    (1) The Honda Accord hybrid brake system and ABS was found to be a 
robust system that could easily handle momentary perturbations, 
continuous rumble strips, braking then entering a rumble strip, and 
asphalt/epoxy split-co situations.
    (2) Since a locked rear wheel cannot resist lateral forces, the 
application of the parking brake while on a rumble strip or split-co 
surface resulted in a high rate of vehicle yaw that was uncontrollable.

7.0 Conclusion

    In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a 
finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists. 
Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's 
limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the 
petition is denied. This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA 
that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will take 
further action if warranted by future circumstances.

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR 
1.50 and 501.8.

    Issued on: November 22, 2011.
Nancy Lummen Lewis,
Associate Administrator Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2011-31343 Filed 12-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P


