NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
86 reports83,800 miles · Feb 7, 2010
Unknown Or Other
I WAS LEAVING MY FRIEND'S HOUSE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND WHEN I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK WHICH IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE GOING INTO PARK, BUT DID NOT ENGAGE BECAUSE I WAS STILL ROLLING BACK, I THEN PROCEEDED TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TURNED OFF MY TRUCK AND THEN STARTE…
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I WAS LEAVING MY FRIEND'S HOUSE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND WHEN I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK WHICH IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE GOING INTO PARK, BUT DID NOT ENGAGE BECAUSE I WAS STILL ROLLING BACK, I THEN PROCEEDED TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TURNED OFF MY TRUCK AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME MY TRUCK WILL NOT TURN OVER AND THE SHIFTER IS STILL EXTREMELY LOOSE. I LOOKED ON SEVERAL FORUMS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN, AND AS FAR AS MY TRUCK NOT STARTING, I DON'T KNOW. *TW
NHTSA ODI #10307127
22,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
HARMONIC BALANCER WENT BAD MAY 2009, JUST UNDER 19,000 MILES ON MY 2004 ST! LEFT MY FAMILY AND I STRANDED ON I-95 IN PHILADELPHIA. FORD HAS SOLD A LOT OF REPLACEMENTS BUT WON'T ISSUE RECALL OR TSB. THE SERPENTINE JUMPED OFF THE BALANCER PULLEY AND LANDED ON THE RUBBER MOUNT OF THE BALANCER THEN ATE THROUGH THE SENSOR. JAN 21,…
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HARMONIC BALANCER WENT BAD MAY 2009, JUST UNDER 19,000 MILES ON MY 2004 ST! LEFT MY FAMILY AND I STRANDED ON I-95 IN PHILADELPHIA. FORD HAS SOLD A LOT OF REPLACEMENTS BUT WON'T ISSUE RECALL OR TSB. THE SERPENTINE JUMPED OFF THE BALANCER PULLEY AND LANDED ON THE RUBBER MOUNT OF THE BALANCER THEN ATE THROUGH THE SENSOR. JAN 21, 2010: STARTED UP THE ST, NO PROBLEM. DROVE ONE BLOCK, STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. MADE RIGHT TURN AND ACCELERATED, THEN THE ST DIED; 22,000 MILES. JUST BEFORE IT LOST ALL POWER IN THE ENGINE, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A TURBINE QUICKLY DECELERATING. NOW I TURN THE KEY, HEAR THE STARTER CLICKING, AND NOTHING HAPPENS WITH THE ENGINE. TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS A RATTLE JUST BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. FORD SERVICE DEPT. REP CALLED ME LATE YESTERDAY AND SAID IT MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO POOR INSTALLATION OF HARMONIC BALANCER, POSSIBLY NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY; SOUNDED LIKE PASSING THE BUCK. HE NEEDED PERMISSION TO PULL THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE APART TO LOOK INSIDE, I GAVE HIM A GREEN LIGHT TO DO SO. HE JUST CALLED TODAY AND SAID THE "KEY WAY AND SPROCKET" ARE BAD. HE SAID THEY COME IN A KIT WITH A NEW TIMING CHAIN; PARTS AND LABOR AFTER A FRIENDLY DISCOUNT: $925. THE TRUCK IS ALREADY THERE AND APART, SO I GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD TO FIX IT. NORMAL PRICE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $1100. STRANGE, THEY HAVE A "REPAIR KIT" TO FIX THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT FORD SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE! HARMONIC BALANCER GOES BAD, FIX IT WITH NEW AND IMPROVED ONE. THEN THIS HAPPENS, FIX IT WITH NEW AND IMPROVED PARTS FROM A "REPAIR KIT"! FORD SAYS THERE ARE NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302026
70,000 miles · Sep 23, 2009
Structure
WHILE OPERATING 2004 FORD EXPLORER, STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND THE REAR HATCH GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED. UPON LOOKING, IT WAS REALIZED THE HATCH ARMS/ SPRINGS LET GO, BENDING THE HATCH CAUSING THE GLASS TO COMPLETELY SHATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285014
83,500 miles · Aug 1, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
STARTED HEARING A SQUEAL LIKE A SLIPPING FAN BELT, CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE DAMPER, THE BELT CAME OFF THE PULLEY AND WAS RIDING ON THE DAMPER. IT IS NOW COSTING ME $500 TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED, I HAVE NOTICED OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, IT SEAMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND FO…
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STARTED HEARING A SQUEAL LIKE A SLIPPING FAN BELT, CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE DAMPER, THE BELT CAME OFF THE PULLEY AND WAS RIDING ON THE DAMPER. IT IS NOW COSTING ME $500 TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED, I HAVE NOTICED OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, IT SEAMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS AT THEIR COST. IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT GETTING IT FIXED IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE CRANKSHAFT TIMING SENSOR CAUSING ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND MAYBE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279040
80,000 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Air BagsCrash
ON VACATION WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION TWO EXPLODED ON THE SAME SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WE ROLLED OUR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FOUR TIMES BEFORE STOPPING A DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE INVESTIGATED THE TIRE AND FOUND THEY ALL WE BOUGHT NEW HAD 65,000 MILE WARRANTY WE ONLY USED HALF THAT AND FOUND THAT THEY WE …
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ON VACATION WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION TWO EXPLODED ON THE SAME SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WE ROLLED OUR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FOUR TIMES BEFORE STOPPING A DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE INVESTIGATED THE TIRE AND FOUND THEY ALL WE BOUGHT NEW HAD 65,000 MILE WARRANTY WE ONLY USED HALF THAT AND FOUND THAT THEY WE ON RECALL FOR A YEAR PRIOR TO FIRESTONE SELLING THEM TO US. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276316
37,000 miles · Jun 4, 2009
Power Train
2004 FORD EXPLORER, SPORT TRAC XLT. ONLY HAVE 37,871 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 2ED GEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS FOR REVERSE TO ENGAGE. FORD DEALER CHARGED ME 159.00 DOLLARS TO CHANGE TRANS FLUIDS. I TOLD THEM THAT THE FLUID WAS DARK AND SMELLS LIKE METAL. I…
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2004 FORD EXPLORER, SPORT TRAC XLT. ONLY HAVE 37,871 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 2ED GEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS FOR REVERSE TO ENGAGE. FORD DEALER CHARGED ME 159.00 DOLLARS TO CHANGE TRANS FLUIDS. I TOLD THEM THAT THE FLUID WAS DARK AND SMELLS LIKE METAL. I CALL THEM BACK UP TELLING THEM IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO ANOTHER SERVICE PERSON AND HE STATED THAT IF THERE WAS A METAL SMELL THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. AND WILL COST 75.00 TO CHECK IT OUT . THANK YOU FORD FOR A WASTED FLUID CHANGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272901
65,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
Air BagsEquipmentInjury
ON APRIL 12, 2008 MY BOYFRIEND AND I SPENT THE MORNING AT HIS SISTERS HOUSE FOR EASTER. WE DROVE THE TRUCK TO HER HOUSE THAT MORNING AND EVEN MADE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY WITH NO ISSUES. THAT EVENING AROUND 6 WE HAD RETURNED HOME FOR A WHILE AND DECIDED TO GO OUT AGAIN. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH…
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ON APRIL 12, 2008 MY BOYFRIEND AND I SPENT THE MORNING AT HIS SISTERS HOUSE FOR EASTER. WE DROVE THE TRUCK TO HER HOUSE THAT MORNING AND EVEN MADE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY WITH NO ISSUES. THAT EVENING AROUND 6 WE HAD RETURNED HOME FOR A WHILE AND DECIDED TO GO OUT AGAIN. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. MY BOYFRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND I WAS STANDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORWAY ABOUT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TALKING AND HE SHUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, NORMALLY. WHEN HE DID SO THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK DEPLOYED. HE WAS HIT IN THE FACE AND HAS SINCE HAD A BAD EARACHE AND HEADACHE. I WAS HIT IN MY LEFT ARM CAUSING BRUSH BURNS, SWOLLEN AND TENDERNESS AND BRUISING. WE WERE UNSURE OF HOW TO GET THE AIRBAGS TO SHRINK BACK SO IN AN ANGRY MOVE MY BOYFRIEND SIMPLY CUT THEM DOWN SO WE COULD STILL USE THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOUSE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD NO MORE WARRANTY AVAILABLE. I THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS BEING SENT TO A REVIEW BOARD AND I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN WRITING IN 14 BUSINESS DAYS! AT THIS POINT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF HELP I AM GETTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265168
52,000 miles · Mar 10, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON AUGUST 8TH 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR WRECK WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WRECKED IT FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON ITS SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER P…
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ON AUGUST 8TH 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR WRECK WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WRECKED IT FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON ITS SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER PANEL OF THE TRUCK. I FEEL THAT THE IMPACT OF THE WRECK SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261466
13,900 miles · Oct 15, 2008
Structure
I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE REAR HARD COVER THAT COVERS THE BED OF THE TRUCK DOES NOT SEAL TIGHTLY. DURING HEAVY OR STEADY RAIN, WATER WILL TRICKLE INTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. DAMPENING ANYTHING STORED IN THAT AREA. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. FORD CLAIMS THE COVER WAS NEVER…
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I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE REAR HARD COVER THAT COVERS THE BED OF THE TRUCK DOES NOT SEAL TIGHTLY. DURING HEAVY OR STEADY RAIN, WATER WILL TRICKLE INTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. DAMPENING ANYTHING STORED IN THAT AREA. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. FORD CLAIMS THE COVER WAS NEVER ADVERTISED AS BEING WEATHER SEALED. HAS ANYONE ELSE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE A CURE FOR IT ? I HAVE TRIED ADJUSTING THE COVER. THIS ONLY HELPED SLIGHTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245507
35,203 miles · Aug 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY TRUCK BEGAN MAKING LOUD WHINNING NOISES JUNE 2007, THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT WHEN USING THE A/C AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A/C DID NOT COOL OR GET A TIGHT SEAL FOR AIR FLOW, FRONT TIRE WEAR HAS ACCELERATED CAUSING SHAKY STEERING, POWER STEERING GOT WORSE, ALTHOUGH ALL FLUIDS WERE NEW AND BELTS LOOK WORN OUT AND WITH A…
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MY TRUCK BEGAN MAKING LOUD WHINNING NOISES JUNE 2007, THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT WHEN USING THE A/C AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A/C DID NOT COOL OR GET A TIGHT SEAL FOR AIR FLOW, FRONT TIRE WEAR HAS ACCELERATED CAUSING SHAKY STEERING, POWER STEERING GOT WORSE, ALTHOUGH ALL FLUIDS WERE NEW AND BELTS LOOK WORN OUT AND WITH ALL THIS I ONLY HAD 52,120 MILES. I HAD WRECK IN 07 BECAUSE OF THE STEERING AND REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE FOR PAYMENT. WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED TO PILE UP AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE DIDN'T SOLVE ANYTHING, I TOOK IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND ALL SAID AC COMPRESSOR OR POWER STEERING NEEDED REPLACING AND OTHER COMPONENTS LOOKED PREMATURELY WORN. FINALLY HAD AC COMPRESSOR REPAIRED ON 7/26/08 ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS THE CAUSE OF ALL MY PROBLEMS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE MECHANIC GAVE ME THE PARTS AND SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A WEAK LEGO BLOCK. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS IN MY TRUNK AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT STILL RUNS BAD, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER IS THE INITIATOR, DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237236
NHTSA investigations
2PE09020 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Apr 21, 2009 · Closed Aug 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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.
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