NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
121 reports122,700 miles · Jan 27, 2009
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages
IN 2007, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT REALLY DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH UNTIL ONE DAY BY ACCIDENT THE DOOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT COME OPEN. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY FORCE AND PULL UP ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. FINALLY IT CAME OPEN BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NOW IT WAS TO THE P…
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IN 2007, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT REALLY DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH UNTIL ONE DAY BY ACCIDENT THE DOOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT COME OPEN. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY FORCE AND PULL UP ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. FINALLY IT CAME OPEN BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NOW IT WAS TO THE POINT OF DISGUST. DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO WE WAITED UNTIL WE DID. IN 2008, I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS QUOTED $197 FOR EVERYTHING, INSTALLATION, PARTS, AND LABOR. BUT WHEN I CAME TO PAY THE BILL I WAS INFORMED IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT $100 IF NOT MORE WHEN COMPLETED. SO MY AUNTS BOYFRIEND, WHO DOES AUTO BODY WORK, FIXED IT. IT WAS WORKING FINE, WE STILL HAD TO JIGGLE TO LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET THE LOCKS TO UNLOCK. AND THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS GETTING OUT AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE HANDLE IS STUCK. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR CRAWL ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHICH WE HAVE HAD TO DO THAT IN THE PAST AND IT IS EMBARRASSING. SO NOW I'VE E-MAILED FORD ABOUT MY COMPLAINT AND THAT IS WHERE I WAS INFORMED YOU DONE THE RECALLS. I REALLY LEARNED THAT THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT, WWW.CARCOMPLAINT.COM. I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT? I GUESS JUST BE OUT $200 MORE WHEN I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP....HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256522
158,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON FIRE WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUIS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON FIRE WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS NO POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.
NHTSA ODI #10255202
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERI…
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1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255186
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2008
Tires
I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. BF GOODRICH RADIALS WERE INSTALLED AT SEARS ON MY 1998 EXPLORER SPORT IN 12/06. THE FIRST VALVE COMPLETELY DEFLATED MY TIRE 4 OR SO MONTHS AGO WHILE SITTING OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. I ASSUMED I HAD CAUSED THE SLICE IN THE VALVE BY DRIVING, BUT HADN'T HIT ANYTHING. ON…
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I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. BF GOODRICH RADIALS WERE INSTALLED AT SEARS ON MY 1998 EXPLORER SPORT IN 12/06. THE FIRST VALVE COMPLETELY DEFLATED MY TIRE 4 OR SO MONTHS AGO WHILE SITTING OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. I ASSUMED I HAD CAUSED THE SLICE IN THE VALVE BY DRIVING, BUT HADN'T HIT ANYTHING. ON 11/26/08 AT 7:00 P.M. I WAS DRIVING I-95 S AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND NOTICED UNUSUAL DRIVING SENSATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, I FIGURED OUT IT WAS A TIRE GOING DOWN, AND TOOK APPROPRIATE ACTION--SLOWING, BEING ACUTELY AWARE OF TRAFFIC, AND SEEKING A SAFE EXIT. WHEN I EXITED INTO A GROCERY PARKING LOT, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT, AND ONCE AGAIN, THE VALVE WAS SLICED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR DEFECTIVE VALVES AFTER RECALLING HEARING ABOUT DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I LEARNED DILL AIR CONTROLS PRODUCTS AND THE NHTSA HAD ISSUED WARNINGS REGARDING SAME AFTER A DEATH OF AN ORLANDO, FL MAN. I AM RETURNING TO SEARS TO HAVE ALL 4 OF MY TIRES INSPECTED FOR FAULTY VALVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250079
101,000 miles · Jul 6, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE I WAS DRIVING TO GO SEE A MOVIE. THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED WORKING (EVEN WITH A KEY IT WILL NOT UNLOCK). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS DOOR EXCEPT FOR THE DOOR ITSELF OVER 7 YEARS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233280
157,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Seats
FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR A BOLT REPLACEMENT IN THE SEAT. SAFETY RECALL 03S04 REFERS. BEACH FORD DEALERSHIP HAS DECLINED TO CONDUCT THE REPAIR DUE TO TIME OF THE RECALL (5 YEARS). THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE BOLT HAD ALREADY SHEARED AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232404
127,577 miles · May 27, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V422000, 06V286000, 99V062001) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT H…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V422000, 06V286000, 99V062001) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,577. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10228943
70,300 miles · May 20, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FUSE RELAY OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING ANY OF THE FUSES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MAN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FUSE RELAY OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING ANY OF THE FUSES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE VEHICLE KEY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,300.
NHTSA ODI #10228277
75,100 miles · Dec 22, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I JUST PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM HWY 100 & LOOMIS RD AUTO SALES (414-617-5673) IN FRANKLIN WISCONSIN ON DEC 13TH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED AND I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC IN EVANSVILLE WISCONSIN WHO FIXED THE REAR BRAKES AND I HAD TO PAY OVER 250 …
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MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I JUST PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM HWY 100 & LOOMIS RD AUTO SALES (414-617-5673) IN FRANKLIN WISCONSIN ON DEC 13TH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED AND I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC IN EVANSVILLE WISCONSIN WHO FIXED THE REAR BRAKES AND I HAD TO PAY OVER 250 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME WITH THIS COST OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY FAILED TO FIND THAT PROBLEM ON THEIR SAFETY CHECK. AFTER I PICKED UP MY TRUCK THIS THURSDAY THE 20TH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE HAS NOW CEASED. MY MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME WHEN HE FIXED THE BRAKES THAT NOT ONLY THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER BUT I WILL ALSO NEED A NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM AS SOMEONE HAS OBVIOUSLY FIXED IT ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE LOT. THAT WILL BE ANOTHER 300 DOLLARS. THE POWER JUST FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM MY AUNTS AND NOW THE TRUCK IS DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME. IT WONT START AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RETURN ANY CALLS SO I CAN SOLVE THIS. I JUST WANT THEM TO COME GET THIS LEMON AND GIVE ME THE MONEY I PAID FOR IT BACK PLUS ALL THE EXPENSES I HAVE PUT INTO IT IN LESS THAN A WEEK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I NEED TO KNOW MY RIGHTS AND IF I CAN JUST GET MY MONEY BACK .... I CANT AFFORD TO NOT TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BE STUCK CONTINUOUSLY PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT HAD SUCH INTENSE PROBLEMS MECHANICALLY AND SAFETY-WISE AND NOW ITS JUST DEAD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212587
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2007
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL IT JUST LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE HANDLE HAVE JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T GET OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211011
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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