NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
10 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · Jan 17, 2018
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MY CAR LITERALLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING.. I COASTED TO THE SIDE AND I TURNED OFF CAR.. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT KEPT CRANKING AND I KEPT DOING IT LIKE 5 TIMES UNTIL IT STARTED BACK UP. SURE IT IS A 2005, BUT IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT, N…
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I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND MY CAR LITERALLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING.. I COASTED TO THE SIDE AND I TURNED OFF CAR.. TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT KEPT CRANKING AND I KEPT DOING IT LIKE 5 TIMES UNTIL IT STARTED BACK UP. SURE IT IS A 2005, BUT IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT, NOW IT IS WORSE. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS WEAR AND TEAR I ACTUALLY REPLACED THE WHOLE ENGINE 4 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR WHICH IS RIDICULOUS TO BEGIN WITH. IF MY CAR BURNS UP WHILE I AM DRIVING I WILL REALLY MAKE A STINK..
NHTSA ODI #11063196
212,461 miles · Dec 5, 2017
Steering
MY GEAR SHIFT BROKE WHICH BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS DEFAULTED SYSTEM SO DO FORD BECAUSE DID CONTINUE THIS STEERING COLUMN SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT WITH ONE FROM JUNK YARD SO HOW IS THAT SAFE FOR ME AS A CONSUMER WELL I FILING THIS JUST IN CASE IT BREAK AGAIN AND MY LIFE IS IN DANGER MY CAR CAME OUTTA OF PAR…
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MY GEAR SHIFT BROKE WHICH BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS DEFAULTED SYSTEM SO DO FORD BECAUSE DID CONTINUE THIS STEERING COLUMN SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT WITH ONE FROM JUNK YARD SO HOW IS THAT SAFE FOR ME AS A CONSUMER WELL I FILING THIS JUST IN CASE IT BREAK AGAIN AND MY LIFE IS IN DANGER MY CAR CAME OUTTA OF PARK LIKE TO TANNED ME OVER SO I'M SPEAKING UP BECAUSE THIS PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER
NHTSA ODI #11052668
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
VEHICLE DIED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS ON HERE. IF A RECALL ISN'T IN ORDER PEOPLE WILL DIE AND THE LAWSUITS WILL BEGIN. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEM. FORD AND THE NHTSA SHOULD BE LIABLE. THIS IS SERIOUS AND READING THROUGH A…
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VEHICLE DIED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS ON HERE. IF A RECALL ISN'T IN ORDER PEOPLE WILL DIE AND THE LAWSUITS WILL BEGIN. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEM. FORD AND THE NHTSA SHOULD BE LIABLE. THIS IS SERIOUS AND READING THROUGH ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE NHTSA IS DOING THEIR JOB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572716
178,000 miles · Dec 21, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH CHANGING LANES AND A ODB MESSAGE APPEARS "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN. IT WAS A LIFE THREATENING MOMENT FOR MY FAMILY AND I AS A TRUCK THAT WAS ON COMING FROM BEHIND WITH SPEED HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER NOT TO COLLIDE WITH ME SINCE I HAD NO POWER TO A…
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH CHANGING LANES AND A ODB MESSAGE APPEARS "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" AND THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN. IT WAS A LIFE THREATENING MOMENT FOR MY FAMILY AND I AS A TRUCK THAT WAS ON COMING FROM BEHIND WITH SPEED HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER NOT TO COLLIDE WITH ME SINCE I HAD NO POWER TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ONLY FORTUNATE THAT THE TRUCK HAD A CLEAR LANE TO CHANGE INTO ABRUPTLY. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MESSAGE AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH IS A WIDE SPREAD KNOW ISSUE AMONG FORD CARS AND I AM LIVID AND VERY ANGRY THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS KNOW ISSUE AS IT IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ONLINE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE TRAGEDIES. I HOPE FORD DOES NOT WANT BLOOD ON THERE HANDS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556898
35,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500084
10,000 miles · Dec 1, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 20 MPH AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE CAR - WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD AND RESTART. FAULT ON THE CONSOLE WAS "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE". HAS HAPPEN APPROX 4 MORE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS WITH THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS. NO PROBLE…
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FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 20 MPH AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE CAR - WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD AND RESTART. FAULT ON THE CONSOLE WAS "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE". HAS HAPPEN APPROX 4 MORE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CONDITIONS WITH THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS. NO PROBLEM EVER FOUND BY DEALER. HAS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND POWER OCCURS MORE CONCERNING IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. I FIND THIS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE LAST TIME IT OCCURRED WHEN BY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SHE WAS SCARED TO DEATH REFUSING TO DRIVE IT HOME. THIS REMINDED ME OF TOYOTA PRIUS SO I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO REPORT MY INCIDENTS. LOOKING AT THE INTERNET I NOW FIND IT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486629
63,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
SteeringVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CHECK BODY THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BOD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CHECK BODY THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10477307
60,000 miles · Jan 18, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON BUSY STREET CAR POWER FAILED, SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED AFTER THAT AND DROVE FINE. SINCE THEN IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES OVER LAST MONTH. LAST WEEK OCCURRED AT WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN WITH A TURN SIGNAL BUT SHUT OFF BEFORE I …
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WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON BUSY STREET CAR POWER FAILED, SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED AFTER THAT AND DROVE FINE. SINCE THEN IT HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES OVER LAST MONTH. LAST WEEK OCCURRED AT WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN WITH A TURN SIGNAL BUT SHUT OFF BEFORE I COULD MAKE THE TURN. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH LOW GAS TANK BUT HAD PLENTY OF GAS LAST WEEK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10377708
36,000 miles · Dec 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON US 95 NORTH THE VEHICLE ALL OF THE SUDDEN STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 AND GREATER ON BUSY INTERSTATES. THE ENGINE JUST STOPS AND THE CAR MUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN IT WILL START AGAIN AND RUN FINE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK OR TWO. …
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WHILE DRIVING ON US 95 NORTH THE VEHICLE ALL OF THE SUDDEN STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE BEFORE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 AND GREATER ON BUSY INTERSTATES. THE ENGINE JUST STOPS AND THE CAR MUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN IT WILL START AGAIN AND RUN FINE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK OR TWO. RECENTLY THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JAN OF 2010 ON A TRIP FROM MISSOURI TO VIRGINIA. NOW THAT WE LIVE IN VIRGINIA, NEAR DC THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE FIND VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH FOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10371673
46,890 miles · Apr 3, 2007
SteeringVisibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS AGO THE STEERING COLUMN AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW LOCKED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 46,890.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10186826
NHTSA investigations
1PE08070 · Steel Wheel Fracture
Opened Dec 9, 2008 · Closed Apr 15, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:rim
FORD SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLE (SSV) EXPEDITIONS USE A STEEL FULL FACE WHEEL DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT INVESTIGATED IN PE03009, RQ04007, EA04034 (CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR) AND PE03026 (GM PICKUPS AND SUVS).A TOTAL OF 8,251 SSVS (2.2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION) WERE PRODUCED WITHIN MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 AND SOLD PRIMARILY FOR USE BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) AGENCIES.FORD STIPULATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR HIGH SPEED OR PURSUIT OPERATIONS AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A 2004 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE VEHICLE EVALUATION REPORT WHICH ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THIS LIMITATION. THE FULL FACE WHEEL IS FABRICATED FROM TWO PIECES: A STAMPED OUTER WHEEL DISC AND A FORMED RIM.THE TWO PIECES, WHICH TOGETHER COMPRISE THE OUTER BEAD SEAT, ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD.A CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT OCCURS IN THE OUTER BEAD SEAT AREA AS THE WHEEL ROTATES, RESULTING IN FATIGUE STRESSES IN THE WELD'S HEAT AFFECTED ZONE THAT CAN LEAD TO FRACTURING (CRACKING) OF THE RIM MATERIAL.BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURS UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD, AIR LEAKAGE MAY NOT READILY OCCUR WHEN THE RIM CRACKS, DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THE BEAD SEALS ON THE RIM.IF MULTIPLE CRACKS GROW UNDETECTED AND SUDDENLY JOIN INTO A SINGLE LARGE CRACK, THE WHEEL'S STRUCTURE CAN BECOME COMPROMISED LEADING TO RAPID AIR LOSS.A RAPID AIR LOSS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEED, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. FORD RESPONDED TO ODI'S JANUARY 5, 2009 INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) ON FEBRUARY 24.FORD'S RESPONSE ACKNOWLEDGES A NUMBER OF WHEEL FRACTURES ON THE SSVS.HOWEVER, BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PERTINENT FACTORS, IT CONCLUDES THAT THE CONDITION DOES NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY.THE LACK OF REPORTS OF RAPID AIR LOSS, NO ALLEGED CRASHES, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT THAT A CRACKED WHEEL CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH SLOW, REPEATED AIR LOSS OR VIBRATION, WERE THE BASES FOR FORD'S CONCLUSION.FORD DISCUSSES THE RESULTS OF A STUDY IT PERFORMED ON WHEELS RETURNED FROM LE FIELD USE, DESIGN REVISIONS IT MADE TO THE SUBJECT WHEEL, AND THE OUTCOME OF DURABILITY TESTING IT CONDUCTED ON THE OLD AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS. THE COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE A DUPLICATE ODI AND FORD REPORT; THE FORD COUNTS ARE UNIQUE VEHICLES ALLEGING WHEEL FRACTURE(S).SOME WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVED MORE THAN ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT.ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN VEHICLES INVESTIGATED IN THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO-PIECE WHEEL FRACTURE, ODI DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES, RAPID AIR LOSS EVENTS DUE TO WHEEL FRACTURES OR ALLEGATIONS OF EFFECTS ON VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY, AS WERE THE CASES IN PAST INVESTIGATIONS WHERE SAFETY RECALLS WERE CONDUCTED TO REPLACE AFFECTED WHEELS.THE AGENCY AGREES THAT THE SSV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PURSUIT OR HIGH SPEED USAGE, REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES OR LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS TO BE CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT. FORD IMPLEMENTED A 'SHOT PEENING' PROCESS IN JUNE 2006 WHICH REDUCED THE WHEEL'S SURFACE STRESS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ITS DURABILITY, AND ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES OF SHOT PEENED WHEELS (SERVICE PART NUMBER 7L1Z-1015-B).FORD'S TESTING SHOWED A SLIGHTLY REDUCED DURABILITY FOR THE NON-SHOT PEENED WHEELS WHEN 'LT' INSTEAD OF FORD APPROVED 'P' METRIC TYPE TIRES ARE USED. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FURTHER C
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
FORD SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLE (SSV) EXPEDITIONS USE A STEEL FULL FACE WHEEL DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT INVESTIGATED IN PE03009, RQ04007, EA04034 (CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR) AND PE03026 (GM PICKUPS AND SUVS).A TOTAL OF 8,251 SSVS (2.2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION) WERE PRODUCED WITHIN MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 AND SOLD PRIMARILY FOR USE BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) AGENCIES.FORD STIPULATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR HIGH SPEED OR PURSUIT OPERATIONS AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A 2004 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE VEHICLE EVALUATION REPORT WHICH ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THIS LIMITATION. THE FULL FACE WHEEL IS FABRICATED FROM TWO PIECES: A STAMPED OUTER WHEEL DISC AND A FORMED RIM.THE TWO PIECES, WHICH TOGETHER COMPRISE THE OUTER BEAD SEAT, ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD.A CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT OCCURS IN THE OUTER BEAD SEAT AREA AS THE WHEEL ROTATES, RESULTING IN FATIGUE STRESSES IN THE WELD'S HEAT AFFECTED ZONE THAT CAN LEAD TO FRACTURING (CRACKING) OF THE RIM MATERIAL.BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURS UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD, AIR LEAKAGE MAY NOT READILY OCCUR WHEN THE RIM CRACKS, DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THE BEAD SEALS ON THE RIM.IF MULTIPLE CRACKS GROW UNDETECTED AND SUDDENLY JOIN INTO A SINGLE LARGE CRACK, THE WHEEL'S STRUCTURE CAN BECOME COMPROMISED LEADING TO RAPID AIR LOSS.A RAPID AIR LOSS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEED, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. FORD RESPONDED TO ODI'S JANUARY 5, 2009 INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) ON FEBRUARY 24.FORD'S RESPONSE ACKNOWLEDGES A NUMBER OF WHEEL FRACTURES ON THE SSVS.HOWEVER, BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PERTINENT FACTORS, IT CONCLUDES THAT THE CONDITION DOES NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY.THE LACK OF REPORTS OF RAPID AIR LOSS, NO ALLEGED CRASHES, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT THAT A CRACKED WHEEL CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH SLOW, REPEATED AIR LOSS OR VIBRATION, WERE THE BASES FOR FORD'S CONCLUSION.FORD DISCUSSES THE RESULTS OF A STUDY IT PERFORMED ON WHEELS RETURNED FROM LE FIELD USE, DESIGN REVISIONS IT MADE TO THE SUBJECT WHEEL, AND THE OUTCOME OF DURABILITY TESTING IT CONDUCTED ON THE OLD AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS. THE COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE A DUPLICATE ODI AND FORD REPORT; THE FORD COUNTS ARE UNIQUE VEHICLES ALLEGING WHEEL FRACTURE(S).SOME WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVED MORE THAN ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT.ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN VEHICLES INVESTIGATED IN THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO-PIECE WHEEL FRACTURE, ODI DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES, RAPID AIR LOSS EVENTS DUE TO WHEEL FRACTURES OR ALLEGATIONS OF EFFECTS ON VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY, AS WERE THE CASES IN PAST INVESTIGATIONS WHERE SAFETY RECALLS WERE CONDUCTED TO REPLACE AFFECTED WHEELS.THE AGENCY AGREES THAT THE SSV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PURSUIT OR HIGH SPEED USAGE, REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES OR LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS TO BE CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT. FORD IMPLEMENTED A 'SHOT PEENING' PROCESS IN JUNE 2006 WHICH REDUCED THE WHEEL'S SURFACE STRESS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ITS DURABILITY, AND ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES OF SHOT PEENED WHEELS (SERVICE PART NUMBER 7L1Z-1015-B).FORD'S TESTING SHOWED A SLIGHTLY REDUCED DURABILITY FOR THE NON-SHOT PEENED WHEELS WHEN 'LT' INSTEAD OF FORD APPROVED 'P' METRIC TYPE TIRES ARE USED. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FURTHER C
Wheels:rim
FORD SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLE (SSV) EXPEDITIONS USE A STEEL FULL FACE WHEEL DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT INVESTIGATED IN PE03009, RQ04007, EA04034 (CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR) AND PE03026 (GM PICKUPS AND SUVS).A TOTAL OF 8,251 SSVS (2.2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION) WERE PRODUCED WITHIN MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 AND SOLD PRIMARILY FOR USE BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) AGENCIES.FORD STIPULATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR HIGH SPEED OR PURSUIT OPERATIONS AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A 2004 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE VEHICLE EVALUATION REPORT WHICH ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THIS LIMITATION. THE FULL FACE WHEEL IS FABRICATED FROM TWO PIECES: A STAMPED OUTER WHEEL DISC AND A FORMED RIM.THE TWO PIECES, WHICH TOGETHER COMPRISE THE OUTER BEAD SEAT, ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD.A CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT OCCURS IN THE OUTER BEAD SEAT AREA AS THE WHEEL ROTATES, RESULTING IN FATIGUE STRESSES IN THE WELD'S HEAT AFFECTED ZONE THAT CAN LEAD TO FRACTURING (CRACKING) OF THE RIM MATERIAL.BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURS UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD, AIR LEAKAGE MAY NOT READILY OCCUR WHEN THE RIM CRACKS, DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THE BEAD SEALS ON THE RIM.IF MULTIPLE CRACKS GROW UNDETECTED AND SUDDENLY JOIN INTO A SINGLE LARGE CRACK, THE WHEEL'S STRUCTURE CAN BECOME COMPROMISED LEADING TO RAPID AIR LOSS.A RAPID AIR LOSS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEED, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. FORD RESPONDED TO ODI'S JANUARY 5, 2009 INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) ON FEBRUARY 24.FORD'S RESPONSE ACKNOWLEDGES A NUMBER OF WHEEL FRACTURES ON THE SSVS.HOWEVER, BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PERTINENT FACTORS, IT CONCLUDES THAT THE CONDITION DOES NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY.THE LACK OF REPORTS OF RAPID AIR LOSS, NO ALLEGED CRASHES, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT THAT A CRACKED WHEEL CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH SLOW, REPEATED AIR LOSS OR VIBRATION, WERE THE BASES FOR FORD'S CONCLUSION.FORD DISCUSSES THE RESULTS OF A STUDY IT PERFORMED ON WHEELS RETURNED FROM LE FIELD USE, DESIGN REVISIONS IT MADE TO THE SUBJECT WHEEL, AND THE OUTCOME OF DURABILITY TESTING IT CONDUCTED ON THE OLD AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS. THE COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE A DUPLICATE ODI AND FORD REPORT; THE FORD COUNTS ARE UNIQUE VEHICLES ALLEGING WHEEL FRACTURE(S).SOME WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVED MORE THAN ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT.ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN VEHICLES INVESTIGATED IN THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO-PIECE WHEEL FRACTURE, ODI DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES, RAPID AIR LOSS EVENTS DUE TO WHEEL FRACTURES OR ALLEGATIONS OF EFFECTS ON VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY, AS WERE THE CASES IN PAST INVESTIGATIONS WHERE SAFETY RECALLS WERE CONDUCTED TO REPLACE AFFECTED WHEELS.THE AGENCY AGREES THAT THE SSV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PURSUIT OR HIGH SPEED USAGE, REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES OR LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS TO BE CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT. FORD IMPLEMENTED A 'SHOT PEENING' PROCESS IN JUNE 2006 WHICH REDUCED THE WHEEL'S SURFACE STRESS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ITS DURABILITY, AND ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES OF SHOT PEENED WHEELS (SERVICE PART NUMBER 7L1Z-1015-B).FORD'S TESTING SHOWED A SLIGHTLY REDUCED DURABILITY FOR THE NON-SHOT PEENED WHEELS WHEN 'LT' INSTEAD OF FORD APPROVED 'P' METRIC TYPE TIRES ARE USED. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FURTHER C
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