NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
615 reports49,688 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE AN 2003 FORD EXPEDITION SUV, THE SPARK PLUG IN THE #3 CYLINDER HEAD POPS OUT EVERY 5-8K MILES. RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER, PER THE 3 DEALERSHIPS I HAVE SPOKEN TO AS WELL AS THE B.A.R FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. PER THE B.A.R. IT IS AN CASTING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IM WORRIED THAT I WILL BE ON TH…
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I HAVE AN 2003 FORD EXPEDITION SUV, THE SPARK PLUG IN THE #3 CYLINDER HEAD POPS OUT EVERY 5-8K MILES. RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER, PER THE 3 DEALERSHIPS I HAVE SPOKEN TO AS WELL AS THE B.A.R FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. PER THE B.A.R. IT IS AN CASTING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IM WORRIED THAT I WILL BE ON THE FREEWAY AND LOOSE POWER, AND GET IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THE FREE WAY UNDER MY OWN POWER. THE PROBLEM GOES BACK TO THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR WORKED ON AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE,AND IT IS CURRENTLY BROKEN AGAIN. THE DEALER SHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT AS AN WARRANTY ON THEIR REPAIR DONE ON 8/13/09 OR AS AN FACTORY DEFECT FROM FORD DIRECT. DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN, ANY HELP OR DIRECTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334332
63,000 miles · May 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2003 5.4L FORD EXPEDITION ED BAUER WITH 63,000 MILES. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION VERY RECENTLY BLEW THE #3 SPARK PLUG IN MAY 2010. I PURCHASED THE EXPEDITION IN 2006 WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES. THE SPARK PLUGS ON THE VEHICLE ARE THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS FROM THE FACTORY AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE EXPEDITION STARTED…
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I OWN A 2003 5.4L FORD EXPEDITION ED BAUER WITH 63,000 MILES. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION VERY RECENTLY BLEW THE #3 SPARK PLUG IN MAY 2010. I PURCHASED THE EXPEDITION IN 2006 WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES. THE SPARK PLUGS ON THE VEHICLE ARE THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS FROM THE FACTORY AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE EXPEDITION STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. ON MAY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AS I TUNED INTO THE FREEWAY ENTRANCE, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY A RATTLING SOUNG. I CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AND THEN EXIT THE FREEWAY. THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SINCE I WAS NOT FAR FROM THE FORD SERVICE CENTER (GALPIN FORD IN NORTH HILLS, CA.), I CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. A DAY LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATING THAT THE #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD. THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINENE NEEDED A NEW HEAD SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. TOTAL PARTS AND LABOR...$3834.00. AFTER READING COMMENTS FROM THIS WEBSITE, THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO BE OVERLOOKED BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331999
78,000 miles · May 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING THE COIL TO BRAKE AS WELL, AND THE WHOLE CAR TO SMELL OF GAS. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN APRIL, AND AGAIN THE OTHER DAY (MAY 17TH), ON A DIFFERENT PLUG. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE WORK, AND MY MECHANIC INSTALLED A REPAIR KIT WITH A NEW SPARK PLUG. IT WAS $200-$300 FOR EACH REPAIR. FORD SAYS IT…
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SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING THE COIL TO BRAKE AS WELL, AND THE WHOLE CAR TO SMELL OF GAS. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN APRIL, AND AGAIN THE OTHER DAY (MAY 17TH), ON A DIFFERENT PLUG. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE WORK, AND MY MECHANIC INSTALLED A REPAIR KIT WITH A NEW SPARK PLUG. IT WAS $200-$300 FOR EACH REPAIR. FORD SAYS ITS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT MY MECHANIC HAS HAD OTHER CASES LIKE THIS, AND STATED FORD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, ASKING THEM TO AT LEAST CHECK MY OTHER PLUGS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE TIGHT, BUT THEY WERE UNHELPFUL. THERE WAS NO WARNING IN EITHER CASE. THE TRUCK DRIVES FINE, AND THEN SUDDENLY STARTS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AS ITS DRIVEN, AND THE WHOLE TRUCK SMELLS OF GAS. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL PLUGS, AND THE TRUCK HAS 78K MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SO IT DOESN'T KEEP HAPPENING. I WENT ON DIFFERENT CAR PROBLEM WEBSITES, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331280
89,000 miles · May 18, 2010
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 20 MILES, THE SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE LINE WAS CONTINENTAL SP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 20 MILES, THE SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE LINE WAS CONTINENTAL SPORT LT/SUV, SIZE P265/70/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,628.
NHTSA ODI #10330992
89,628 miles · May 18, 2010
TiresCrash
WE HAD 2 TIRES BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING OUR FORD EXPEDITION ON I-95 IN FLA ALMOST FLIP TWICE THE SKIN OF THE TIRES CAME OFF DURING DRIVING AT 65 MPH TIRES ARE CONTINENTAL SUV P265/70/R17 DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AS WELL AS LOTS OF EXPENSES FOR TOWING AND REPAIRS $700.00 DOLLARS PLUS THE TOWING COMPANY PUT THE SPARE ON ALSO A C…
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WE HAD 2 TIRES BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING OUR FORD EXPEDITION ON I-95 IN FLA ALMOST FLIP TWICE THE SKIN OF THE TIRES CAME OFF DURING DRIVING AT 65 MPH TIRES ARE CONTINENTAL SUV P265/70/R17 DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK AS WELL AS LOTS OF EXPENSES FOR TOWING AND REPAIRS $700.00 DOLLARS PLUS THE TOWING COMPANY PUT THE SPARE ON ALSO A CONTINENTAL 20 MINUTES LATER IT ALSO BLEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330979
123,789 miles · May 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L THAT HAS BLOWN THE #3 SPARK PLUG 3 TIMES. EACH TIME I HAVE PURCHASED OEM PLUGS. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS EXPERIENCE AND MANY SPECULATE THAT THE THREAD DEPTH IS NOT ENOUGH TO SECURE THE PLUG APPROPRIATELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330579
45,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKED CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF MOST BRAKING. I BOUGHT THIS FORD NEW IN JULY OF 2003. AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. I HAD ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED, AND STILL HAVE THE PIECE WHICH LEAKED. THE SHOP SAID IT IS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROUTED ON TOP OF THE FRAME RAILS, AND SALT BUILDS UP…
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BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKED CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF MOST BRAKING. I BOUGHT THIS FORD NEW IN JULY OF 2003. AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. I HAD ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED, AND STILL HAVE THE PIECE WHICH LEAKED. THE SHOP SAID IT IS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROUTED ON TOP OF THE FRAME RAILS, AND SALT BUILDS UP. BUT I'VE LIVED IN THIS AREA ALL MY LIFE (I'M 66) AND HAD MANY OLDER OR HIGHER MILEAGE VEHICLES, BUT NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING CHEVY BRAKE LINE FAILURE, AND THINK YOU SHOULD INCLUDE FORDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328726
101,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 FORD EXPEDITION SPARK PLUG BLOWED OUT AND BROKE THE COIL AND DAMAGED THE THREADS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328300
79,850 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER. IN JANUARY 2009, WE HAD A "MISFIRE" IN THE #6 SPARK PLUG AND WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS - WHICH WE DID. SINCE THAT TIME, WE'VE HAD 3 OTHER "MISFIRES" IN THE #6, #8 AND #7 SPARK PLUGS. EACH TIME A REPAIR IS MADE, THERE IS A MISFIRE IN ANOTHER SPARK PLUG WITHIN 3 MONTH…
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WE OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER. IN JANUARY 2009, WE HAD A "MISFIRE" IN THE #6 SPARK PLUG AND WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS - WHICH WE DID. SINCE THAT TIME, WE'VE HAD 3 OTHER "MISFIRES" IN THE #6, #8 AND #7 SPARK PLUGS. EACH TIME A REPAIR IS MADE, THERE IS A MISFIRE IN ANOTHER SPARK PLUG WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR. ON 4/19/2010, THE NUMBER 4 SPARKPLUG BLEW COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ENGINE UPON STARTING THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY AT THE FORD DEALER AND ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE FORD DEALER. WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN THEIR ENGINES AND IT IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE V8 ENGINES IN THE FORD TRUCKS AND THEY ARE CHOOSING TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $3000 TOTAL TO FIX ALL OF THESE ISSUES. WHY ISN'T FORD STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT - ARE THEY WAITING FOR A INJURY OR WORSE, A FATALITY IN ORDER TO ISSUE A RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326798
79,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Power Train
MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION XLT 4WD SINCE 2004. EVERY SINCE WE OWNED THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE REAR LSD BEING REPLACES TWICE, THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS REPLACEMENT, ALL POWER LOCKS REPLACED (DUE TO COMING OPEN BY THEMSELVES), AND RECENTLY THE TWO COIL PACKS BLOWING OUT OF THE MOTOR. WE SPENT OVER A THO…
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MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION XLT 4WD SINCE 2004. EVERY SINCE WE OWNED THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE REAR LSD BEING REPLACES TWICE, THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS REPLACEMENT, ALL POWER LOCKS REPLACED (DUE TO COMING OPEN BY THEMSELVES), AND RECENTLY THE TWO COIL PACKS BLOWING OUT OF THE MOTOR. WE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO GET VEHICLE TO PASS SMOG DUE TO OUTRAGEOUS SPARK PLUG PRICES ALONG WITH LABOR COST OF $400. I AM FED UP WITH FORD AND WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW HOW THEIR QUALITY IS SO SUB-STANDARD. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AROUND 6-7 TIMES AND I HAVE TO WORRY EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE AS FORD AGREES IT IS A DEFECT, THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SHABBY WORK- [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325439
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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