GB/T 43388-2023Judgment guidelines for serious safety-related fault of household automobile (English PDF)

3.1 Household automobile

Passenger cars and pickup trucks other than special-purpose passenger cars purchased and used by consumers for living consumption demands.

3.2 Serious safety-related fault

Quality problems existing in household automobile that endanger personal and property safety, making it unsafe to use.

NOTE: this includes situations where safety devices fail to provide adequate protection or there is a risk of fire.

3.3 Fault mode

A pattern of manifestation of component or product fault that can be observed or detected. [source: GB/T 39063-2020, 3.2, modified]

3.4 Failure

During the normal use of an automobile, the entire automobile, major systems or components may completely lose their intended functions or suffer a serious decline in the basic performance due to quality problems.

NOTE: the intended functions and basic performance refer to the functions and performance of products stipulated in laws, regulations and standards, and expressly stated by the enterprise.

5.1 Judgment Process

The judgment of serious safety-related fault should be carried out in accordance with the following steps:

a) Collect fault information;

b) Determine whether it is a quality problem;

c) Identify fault attributes;

d) Determine the judgment result.

The specific judgment process is shown in Figure 1. external factors, rather than quality problems, then, the judgment process is terminated, and it shall be determined that this is not a serious safety-related fault.

5.4 Identify Fault Attributes

5.4.1 Fault suddenness

Usually the following situations belong to sudden faults, before automobile fault occurs:

---No abnormal signs;

---No alarm reminder message;

---There is an alarm reminder message, but it is not enough to alert the driver.

5.4.2 Risk uncontrollability

When a fault occurs, if the driver or occupant is unable to take reasonable and effective measures to control the risks to avoid or reduce the harm caused by the fault, then, this is a fault with uncontrollable risks.

5.4.3 Severity of consequences

If a fault has caused or may seriously endanger personal and property safety, then, it is a fault with serious consequences. In accordance with GB/T 34402, the severity of consequences can be evaluated for dangerous events or situations caused by the fault. Those with a high level can be judged as a fault with serious consequences.