NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
104 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 26, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure
MY PASSENGER WINDOW AND BOTH BACK WINDOWS HAVE DROPPED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS FIXED MORE THAN ONCE ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, WHAT HAPPENS IS ILL TRY TO PUT THE WINDOW UP AND THE WINDOW MOTOR MAKES A STRUGGLING NOISE AND I AM UNABLE TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW. AT THIS POINT I'M SURE IT MUST BE A DEFECT BECAUSE…
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MY PASSENGER WINDOW AND BOTH BACK WINDOWS HAVE DROPPED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS FIXED MORE THAN ONCE ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, WHAT HAPPENS IS ILL TRY TO PUT THE WINDOW UP AND THE WINDOW MOTOR MAKES A STRUGGLING NOISE AND I AM UNABLE TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW. AT THIS POINT I'M SURE IT MUST BE A DEFECT BECAUSE OF HOW IT HAS HAPPENED TO EACH WINDOW MORE THAN ONCE. ALSO THE BUMPER THAT GOES AROUND THE ENTIRE CAR IS EXTREMELY FADED AND I AM UNABLE TO GET FIXED I HAVE GONE TO GET ESTIMATES FOR A PAIN JOB BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD DUE TO THE MATERIAL IT IS JUST GOING TO FADE I WOULD NEED TO GET IT SANDED AND HAVE THEM DO SOME SPECIAL TREATMENT I CANT AFFORD AND THEY WILL NOT JUST PAINT OVER IT FOR ME BECAUSE THEY GUARANTEE THERE WORK AND WOULD HAVE TO REDO IT TOO OFTEN. ALL THE EXPEDITIONS I SEE HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10786046
129,000 miles · Oct 4, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
CARS STALLED WHILE TURNING LEFT AGAINST TRAFFIC. WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY. HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TRYING TO START IT AND FINALLY IT STARTED AND I COULD CLEAR THE INTERSECTION. VERY DANGEROUS AND FORTUNATE THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO STOP. HAVE CLEANED THROTTLE BODY, AIC BUT FUSE ON FUSE BOX IS MELTED CAUSING INTERM…
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CARS STALLED WHILE TURNING LEFT AGAINST TRAFFIC. WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY. HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TRYING TO START IT AND FINALLY IT STARTED AND I COULD CLEAR THE INTERSECTION. VERY DANGEROUS AND FORTUNATE THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO STOP. HAVE CLEANED THROTTLE BODY, AIC BUT FUSE ON FUSE BOX IS MELTED CAUSING INTERMITTENT OPERATION. STARTED OUT ONCE A MONTH AND NOW FREQUENTLY TO INCLUDE THIS LAST ONE IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #10779619
84,055 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Electrical System
THERE ARE MANY ISSUES AND CONCERNS ABOUT MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. FROM REVERSE BACK UP SENSOR BLINKERS WINDOWS, FOUR WAY FLASHERS, CD PLAYER, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WIPERS, BACK UP LIGHTS, POWER MIRRORS, POWER SEATS, DASH BOARD GAGES, POWER LOCKS, ALL WILL STOP WORKING SUDDENLY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIMES. FORD HAS STAITEF TH…
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THERE ARE MANY ISSUES AND CONCERNS ABOUT MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. FROM REVERSE BACK UP SENSOR BLINKERS WINDOWS, FOUR WAY FLASHERS, CD PLAYER, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WIPERS, BACK UP LIGHTS, POWER MIRRORS, POWER SEATS, DASH BOARD GAGES, POWER LOCKS, ALL WILL STOP WORKING SUDDENLY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF TIMES. FORD HAS STAITEF THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS YEARS MAKE AND MODEL WHEN ALL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES. I AM FIANCING THIS VEHICLE FOR $10 THOUSAND AND DEMAND A RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE INTERNET IS PASTED WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND FORD IS TAKING PEOPLE'S MONEY TO TRY AND FIX ALL THE ISSUES AND NEVER COMPLETELY FIXING THE ISSUE. I NEED AN ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM AND I WANT FORD TO BUY BACK MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10731394
130,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10700647
185,000 miles · Mar 11, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX IN THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE SMOKE AND WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX IN THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE SMOKE AND WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA ODI #10693729
60,500 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Electrical System
ON FEB 13, 14 THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE EXPEDITION FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED INTO MOTION - WHICH MADE THE CAR VENERABLE TO ENTRY OR EXIT WITH OR WITHOUT STOPPING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOOR LOCKS BECAUSE THEY ARE A MATCHED SET - COST $500. TWO W…
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ON FEB 13, 14 THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE EXPEDITION FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED INTO MOTION - WHICH MADE THE CAR VENERABLE TO ENTRY OR EXIT WITH OR WITHOUT STOPPING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOOR LOCKS BECAUSE THEY ARE A MATCHED SET - COST $500. TWO WEEKS A GO THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MONDAY FEB 23 TO INVESTIGATE THE DOOR LOCKING PROBLEM. TWO SETS OF LOCKS FAILING (RIGHTHAND SIDE & LEFTHAND SIDES) WITHIN A YEAR SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS AND POSSIBLE INJURY IF SOMEONE WERE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10684246
38,000 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SHUT OFF.I CAME VERY CLOSS TO BEING KILLED OR SERIOUS INJURIED.MY MECHANIC COULDNT FIND THE CAUSE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES IN 7 YEARS.CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662371
141,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Electrical System
MY 03 FORD EXPEDITION WOULD NOT START AND WAS MAKING A TICKING SOUND. FOUND OUT IT WAS A RELAY SWITCH CHANGED IT AND IT STARTED BUT IT KEEPS BLOWING ABOUT EVERY 3-4 WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10631714
140,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR POPPED, SPUTTERED AND DIED. HAS STEADILY GOTTEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. ENGINE DIES AT IDLE, DIES AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL AS FASTER SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS! HAVE REPLACED THE PCM, WIRING HARNESS, AND FUEL PUMP. IS NOT REPAIRED. POWER MIRRORS READJUST THEMSELVES WHEN THE KEYLESS …
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I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR POPPED, SPUTTERED AND DIED. HAS STEADILY GOTTEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. ENGINE DIES AT IDLE, DIES AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL AS FASTER SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS! HAVE REPLACED THE PCM, WIRING HARNESS, AND FUEL PUMP. IS NOT REPAIRED. POWER MIRRORS READJUST THEMSELVES WHEN THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS USED. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON, DOOR AJAR, CHECK FUEL CAP, ADVATRAC WILL NOT TURN ON. REAR WINDOW WILL NOT WORK. BACK UP SENSOR WILL NOT WORK. INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS EXTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT POWER OFF WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. YOU MUST MANUALLY TURN THEM OFF OR THE BATTERY DRAINS.CD PLAYER WILL NOT EJECT CD'S LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE HAD THIS IN THE SHOP SINCE JUNE OF 2014 AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1000 TRYING TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND CAN VERY LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORD AUTO SHOP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $100 AN HOUR TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THEN THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE TELLING ME IT COULD COST BETWEEN $500-$1000 JUST TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL WEB SITES AND SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED FROM THE CAR STALLING!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10629488
220,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA ODI #10629279
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head
Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.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.
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