NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
615 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 7, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
EXCESSIVE WEARING OF ROTORS AND PADS. FRONT (RIGHT & LEFT) BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO REPLACED AS WELL AS ROTORS AT 25,000 MILES. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN HARD. FORD SERVICE CENTER(MAGUIRE'S FORD OF HERSHEY, PA) STATED THAT THERE WAS STILL PADDING LEFT AND THAT THERE WAS NO METAL CONTACT WITH ROTORS, BUT THE ROTORS WERE WORN TO 1.1 ICKNESS…
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EXCESSIVE WEARING OF ROTORS AND PADS. FRONT (RIGHT & LEFT) BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO REPLACED AS WELL AS ROTORS AT 25,000 MILES. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN HARD. FORD SERVICE CENTER(MAGUIRE'S FORD OF HERSHEY, PA) STATED THAT THERE WAS STILL PADDING LEFT AND THAT THERE WAS NO METAL CONTACT WITH ROTORS, BUT THE ROTORS WERE WORN TO 1.1 ICKNESS(FL) AND 1.09(FR). I AM HAVING SPECS ON ROTORS INDEPENDANTLY VERIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080518
9,000 miles · Jul 6, 2004
Unknown Or OtherFire
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE. *LA THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT IT LOOKED AS IF A PIECE OF CARDBOARD WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE MUFFLER AND THE CHASSIS TO STOP A VIBRATION. THIS WAS NOT ACCIDENTAL. FORD CLAIMED TO BE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10081867
12,000 miles · Jul 6, 2004
Latches/locks/linkagesSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO OUTSIDE SOURCES WHO CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BAD AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO OUTSIDE SOURCES WHO CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BAD AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO REPLACED THE STEERING RACK, SEAT MOTOR AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10075542
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2004
Tires
THIS IS TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR TIRES THAT CAME STANDARD ON THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF AN EMAIL THAT I SENT TO THE CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I THINK THAT HAS ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO START LOOKING INTO THIS P…
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THIS IS TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR TIRES THAT CAME STANDARD ON THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF AN EMAIL THAT I SENT TO THE CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I THINK THAT HAS ALL OF THE INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO START LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS SINCE I THINK THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. YOU HAVE A LENGTH OF ONLY 2000 WORDS AND MY MESSAGE TO THEM IS TOO LONG SO PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE REST OF THE MESSAGE. DEAR RASHIDA, (OR WHOMEVER ELSE SEES THIS MESSAGE) I THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND CONCERN THIS MORNING. I HAVE SOME INTERESTING NEWS. I THINK IT IS QUITE ASTOUNDING AND WILL WARRANT SOME MAJOR ATTENTION FROM THE POWERS THAT BE. NOT ONLY IS THE DAMAGE TO MY TIRES A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT THE DAMAGE IS IN ALL OF MY TIRES, INCLUDING ONE THAT WAS REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THE OTHER ORIGINAL THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED MAY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE IT HAD A GASH IN THE SIDE THAT CAUSED IT TO GO FLAT. AFTER TALKING WITH YOU I HAPPENED TO MENTION MY PROBLEM TO A NEIGHBOR WHO ASKED ME TO HAVE HER HUSBAND LOOK AT IT. AS IT TURNS OUT HE HAD BEEN A PLANT SUPERVISOR FOR KELLEY-SPRINGFIELD TIRES BEFORE MOVING UP TO THIS AREA. HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT TIRE MANUFACTURING AND TESTING. HE TOOK ONE LOOK AT MY TIRE AND SAID "THERE IS NO WAY THAT WAS CAUSED BY A RAZOR, THAT IS A DEFECT AND IT IS BAD NEWS." HE TOLD ME TO LET WHOMEVER I TALKED TO KNOW THAT THE TIRE IS SEPARATING "WHERE THE APEX MEETS THE SIDEWALL." HE WENT INTO A BIT MORE TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION BUT I AM NOT AN EXPERT SO I CAN'T ACCURATELY RELAY WHAT HE SAID. HE SAID IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND HE BETS THAT A MAJOR RECALL WILL BE OCCURRING, HOPEFULLY BEFORE ANYTHING TRAGIC OCCURS. HE IS NOT AN OVERLY EXCITABLE MAN BUT HE PROBABLY TOLD ME ABOUT 10 TIMES TO GET THE TIRES OFF OF MY CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10078779
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2004
Equipment
2003 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION - WE HAVE THE DVD PLAYER WHICH WAS ALREADY IN PLACE WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SCREEN IS DOWN, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS CAN BE LEGAL, AS IT BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW FROM APPROACHING EMERGENCY VEHICLES, AS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME THE OTHER DA…
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2003 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION - WE HAVE THE DVD PLAYER WHICH WAS ALREADY IN PLACE WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE SCREEN IS DOWN, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE BACK WINDOW. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS CAN BE LEGAL, AS IT BLOCKS THE DRIVERS VIEW FROM APPROACHING EMERGENCY VEHICLES, AS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10074937
5,000 miles · Jun 3, 2004
Power Train
LOUD ROAR FROM REAR END DUE TO GEARS NOT MESHING PROPERLY. THE FORD ZONE MANAGER TOLD ME TO TURN MY RADIO UP LOUDER IF THE NOISE WAS BOTHERING ME.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10074764
31,000 miles · May 19, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF THE VEHICLE BEING PARKED AND TURNED OFF. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE TWO CHARGERS WERE PLUGGED INTO THE LIGHTER OUTLET AND THEY BOTH MELTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073863
17,000 miles · May 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH AROUND 17000 MILES. BRAKES ARE NOT RIDDEN. FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT. FROM THE DEALERSHIP (MOSSY FORD, SAN DIEGO), "FORD HAS REDESIGNED THE BRAKE PADS AND WE NEED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR PADS." I ASKED IF THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH USING LOW QUALITY PADS ON THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMMENT. I ASKED IF THIS H…
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2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH AROUND 17000 MILES. BRAKES ARE NOT RIDDEN. FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT. FROM THE DEALERSHIP (MOSSY FORD, SAN DIEGO), "FORD HAS REDESIGNED THE BRAKE PADS AND WE NEED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR PADS." I ASKED IF THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH USING LOW QUALITY PADS ON THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMMENT. I ASKED IF THIS HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE. NO ANSWER WAS GIVEN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A REPEATING THEME. IT SOUNDS PRETTY SUSPICIOUS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10068501
10,000 miles · May 6, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP IN TRAFFIC WHILE GRADUALLY THE VEHICLE MOVED UP. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN TEN TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. SOMETIMES, THE …
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CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP IN TRAFFIC WHILE GRADUALLY THE VEHICLE MOVED UP. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN TEN TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. SOMETIMES, THE LIGHTS BLINKED RAPIDLY, AND SOMETIMES THEY WOULD JUST STAY ON. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE SEVEN TIMES, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072249
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2004
SeatsInjury
FOUR YEAR CHILD SHOWED POSITIVE SIGNS OF SUFFOCATION AFTER BEING CRUSHED BY THE FOLDING THIRD ROW SEAT IN THE FORD EXPEDITION. *PH THE SEAT HAD BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS BEFORE BECAUSE IT WOULD FOLD WITHOUT THE USE OF THE SWITCH. *SC (THIS COMPLAINT WAS SENT IN BY THE FIRE CAPTAIN ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER LOWELL SABISAGE.) *J…
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FOUR YEAR CHILD SHOWED POSITIVE SIGNS OF SUFFOCATION AFTER BEING CRUSHED BY THE FOLDING THIRD ROW SEAT IN THE FORD EXPEDITION. *PH THE SEAT HAD BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS BEFORE BECAUSE IT WOULD FOLD WITHOUT THE USE OF THE SWITCH. *SC (THIS COMPLAINT WAS SENT IN BY THE FIRE CAPTAIN ON BEHALF OF THE CUSTOMER LOWELL SABISAGE.) *JB
NHTSA ODI #10071918
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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