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Problem solving · Stellantis Toluca

How to write an 8D report the OEM accepts

An 8D is the eight-discipline problem-solving report OEMs require after a quality incident. SQEs reject 8Ds that name symptoms instead of root causes or close containment without evidence. This guide covers what each discipline must contain and the rejection traps to avoid.

Published: July 3, 2026

What must each discipline contain?

DisciplineWhat the SQE looks for
D1 TeamNamed people with roles, not just a department list
D2 ProblemWhat, where, when, how many, with real data and photos
D3 ContainmentSuspect material fenced in plant, transit and warehouse, with counts
D4 Root causeBoth causes verified: why it occurred AND why it escaped
D5 Actions chosenCorrective actions that attack the verified cause, with owners
D6 ImplementedDates and effectiveness data, not promises
D7 PreventionPFMEA and control plan updated so it cannot recur
D8 ClosureTeam recognition and lessons captured

Why do SQEs reject 8Ds?

Four traps cause most rejections. First, a symptom dressed as a root cause: "operator error" is where the analysis starts, not where it ends. Second, a missing escape cause: the SQE wants to know why your inspection did not catch the defect, not only why it was made. Third, containment without evidence: D3 that says "material sorted" with no counts, dates or photographs reads as unverified. Fourth, generic actions: "retrain the operator" without a change to the process or the controls tells the plant the defect will return. Every one of these is avoidable with data discipline from day one, which is exactly what a strong D3 containment record provides.

How do you close an 8D faster?

Speed comes from presence and cadence, not from writing faster. Answer the SQE's questions in person the day they come up, feed the 8D with the daily containment counts, and bring the escape-point analysis to the first review instead of the third. A resident specialist who attends the plant meetings closes the loop in days that email threads stretch into weeks. That is the core of the Quality Liaison service IDS runs at Stellantis Toluca, and it pairs with the containment guide in CSL1 vs CSL2. Facing an open 8D with the clock running? Request support: response in under 1 hour.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between occurrence and escape root cause?

The occurrence cause explains why the defect was created; the escape cause explains why your controls did not catch it. An 8D the OEM accepts verifies both and acts on both.

How long should an 8D take?

Containment (D3) is expected within 24 hours, verified root cause typically within days, and full closure with effectiveness data within weeks. What kills timelines is slow communication, not slow analysis.

Can IDS drive 8Ds with the SQE at Stellantis Toluca?

Yes. IDS Quality Liaison specialists attend plant meetings, answer the SQE in person, feed the 8D with daily containment evidence and drive it to closure on the supplier's behalf.

Quality alert at Stellantis Toluca? We respond in under 1 hour, 24/7.

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