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2003 Ford Expedition

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Expedition years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Expedition are substantially higher than the model-year median of 155.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

463 reports with mileage · 152 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

57 crash reports36 fire reports39 injury reports

Visibility complaints

37 reports
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8,000 miles · Dec 12, 2003
Visibility

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WHICH WON'T RETAIN THE CORRECT SETTING IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR FIXED ALREADY, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DUE TO INABILITY TO VERIFY THE COMPLAINT. IT SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT OFTEN WHEN I GO TO CHANGE LANES THE …

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I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WHICH WON'T RETAIN THE CORRECT SETTING IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR FIXED ALREADY, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DUE TO INABILITY TO VERIFY THE COMPLAINT. IT SEEMS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT OFTEN WHEN I GO TO CHANGE LANES THE MIRROR IS NOT SET TO THE CORRECT POSITION, PRESENTING A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. I FEEL THEY SHOULD GO AHEAD AND REPLACE THE MIRROR SINCE I'M HAVING THE PROBLEM, WHETHER THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM OR NOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049657

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2003
Visibility

WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE THE SIDE MIRRORS FLIP DOWN OR UP. NO ONE HAS IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050334

20,000 miles · Nov 30, 2003
Visibility

WHEN EVER I UNLOCK MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE KEY RING CLICKER, THE EXTERIOR SIDE MIRROR ERRATICALLY ADJUST ITSELF TO AN UNKNOWN POSITION. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE TO ALWAYS READJUST THE MIRRORS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048902

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Visibility

ATTEMPTED TO BUY WIPER BLADES FROM FORD DEALER FOR MY EXPEDITION. THE BLADES THEY GAVE ME FIT BUT WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT FORD HAD CHANGED THE ARMS ON ALL 2003 MODELS BUILT BEFORE JUNE OF 2003 AND THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE ARMS ON BOTH WIPERS. THE PRICE OF EACH ARM IS $178. THEY TO…

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ATTEMPTED TO BUY WIPER BLADES FROM FORD DEALER FOR MY EXPEDITION. THE BLADES THEY GAVE ME FIT BUT WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT FORD HAD CHANGED THE ARMS ON ALL 2003 MODELS BUILT BEFORE JUNE OF 2003 AND THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE ARMS ON BOTH WIPERS. THE PRICE OF EACH ARM IS $178. THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT. HAVE DONE SO AND AWAITING DECISION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043283

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2003
Electrical SystemVisibility

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SIDE VIEW MIRROR, AND HORN. SIDE VIEW MIRROR MOVED AT WILL. WHEN HE SET IT, SIDE VIEW MIRROR DID NOT STAY, BUT WONDERED ALL OVER. VEHICLE HAD A COUPLE OF NEAR MISSES BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE FROM THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. ALSO, HORN DID NOT OPERATE. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE DR…

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CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SIDE VIEW MIRROR, AND HORN. SIDE VIEW MIRROR MOVED AT WILL. WHEN HE SET IT, SIDE VIEW MIRROR DID NOT STAY, BUT WONDERED ALL OVER. VEHICLE HAD A COUPLE OF NEAR MISSES BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE FROM THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. ALSO, HORN DID NOT OPERATE. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE DRIVER NEEDED A WAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE WAS NEAR ANOTHER VEHICLE TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10044240

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2003
VisibilityCrash

THE SIDE MIRRORS ERRATICALLY REPOSITIONED THEMSELVES EACH TIME THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. ALSO, THE REVERSE SENSOR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041183

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2003
Visibility

2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION. SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WITH BACKUP ASSIST WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME CAUSING YOU TO CONSTANTLY BE AWARE THAT THE MIRRORS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE RESET TO THE DRIVERS DESIRED SETTING. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IF THE DRIVERS OF THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES HAVE TO CHEC…

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2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION. SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WITH BACKUP ASSIST WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME CAUSING YOU TO CONSTANTLY BE AWARE THAT THE MIRRORS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE RESET TO THE DRIVERS DESIRED SETTING. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IF THE DRIVERS OF THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES HAVE TO CHECK THERE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS TO CHANGE LANES ETC. THEY RUN THE RISK OF SIDE IMPACTING SOMEONE OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT . *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031210

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2003
Visibility

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A LEAKING WINDSHIELD/MOON ROOF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MAROONE FORD IN DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS AND PERFORMED WATER SPRINKLER TESTS. THEN CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED IT. I JUST GOT IT BACK AGAIN ON AUG. 7, 2003 AND AM WAITING FOR THE NEXT BIG RAIN. THE DEALE…

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I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A LEAKING WINDSHIELD/MOON ROOF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MAROONE FORD IN DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS AND PERFORMED WATER SPRINKLER TESTS. THEN CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED IT. I JUST GOT IT BACK AGAIN ON AUG. 7, 2003 AND AM WAITING FOR THE NEXT BIG RAIN. THE DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I ALSO HAVE THE POSSESSED SIDE MIRROR PROBLEM. THEY JUST DO THEIR OWN THING WHEN I REVERSE THEN DRIVE. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THE DEALER HAS YET TO FIGURE OUT. FORTUNATELY, FLORIDA HAS A LEMON LAW AND I PLAN TO EXERCISE IT AS SOON AS THE NEXT LEAK APPEARS. YOU WOULD THINK THAT A PERSON WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SUCH SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WHEN PAYING A HIGH PRICE FOR A VEHICLE OR AT LEAST BE ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED THE FIRST TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10031098

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH RIGHT AFTER A STARTUP ONE MORNING WITH A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND ABOUT A WEEK LATER ANOTHER ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE ON STARTUP IN THE MORNING. THE CHAIN OF EVENTS ALSO CAUSED OTHER INTE…

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THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH RIGHT AFTER A STARTUP ONE MORNING WITH A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND ABOUT A WEEK LATER ANOTHER ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE ON STARTUP IN THE MORNING. THE CHAIN OF EVENTS ALSO CAUSED OTHER INTERMITTEN PROBLEMS WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE SUCH AS A SENSE OF SLACK BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHEN UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS INTERMITTEN PROBLEMS STARTING , FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE TO CRANK THE ENGINE THREE TO FOUR SECONDS LONGER THAN NORMAL AND AT TIMES I HAVE HAD TO STOP THE IGNITION AND TRY AGAIN. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE THAT HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND A CONTINUED PROBLEM WITH THE MIRRORS MOVING WHEN THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM MOVE WHILE DRIVING AS OF THUS FAR. PLEASE NOTE THE INCIDENT DATE SHOWN BELOW IS APPROXIMATE AND IS WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY,DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND MAILED AN APPLICATION TO THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD OFFERED THROUGH FORD MOTOR COMPANY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029002

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2003
Visibility

EXTERIOR MIRRORS SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. ONE MIRROR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT STILL SHAKES. IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. THIS POSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER SAID "THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT, EVEN ON THE BRAND NEW VEHICLES". SOUNDS LIKE FORD NEEDS TO FIND A SU…

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EXTERIOR MIRRORS SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. ONE MIRROR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT STILL SHAKES. IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. THIS POSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. DEALER SAID "THEY ARE ALL LIKE THAT, EVEN ON THE BRAND NEW VEHICLES". SOUNDS LIKE FORD NEEDS TO FIND A SUPPLIER WITH A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT BEFORE THESE MIRRORS CAUSE AN ACCIDENT - WHETHER WITH MY VEHICLE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028996

Official recalls

1

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05005 · 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.