WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION FROM CALIFORNIA TO OREGON ON I-5, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, SHUTTER, THEN CLUNK. "OD OFF" LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH A WARNING INDICATING CHECK TRANSMISSION. LOUD WHIRLING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION FROM CALIFORNIA TO OREGON ON I-5, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, SHUTTER, THEN CLUNK. "OD OFF" LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH A WARNING INDICATING CHECK TRANSMISSION. LOUD WHIRLING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE OFFRAMP, TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO TRY TO GET BACK UP TO FREEWAY SPEEDS, AS THERE SEEMED TO BE LITTLE POWER. DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, I HAD THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME, RIGHT ON MY BUMPER. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT ALL REQUIRED INTERVALS. VEHICLE HAS 48,000 MILES. MADE IT INTO A FORD DEALER IN OREGON, AND WAS TOLD AFTER PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND ALL WARNING CODES CLEARED IT MAY BE SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO CALIFORNIA. WENT ABOUT 300' FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND "OD OFF" LIGHT CAME ON, "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING CAME ON. DROVE IT BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION PAN, AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FOUND METAL, AND CLUTCH MATERIAL. COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION $3,657. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340881
80,000 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Power Train
THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, HAS A DELAY THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES REARWARD. ALSO, THE TRUCK HAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH SOME FORWARD GEARS AS WELL. THE TRUCK WILL DELAY OR HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS, THEN SLAM INTO THE NEXT GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340826
56,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Power Train
I DRIVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR SO, WHEN I SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE CAR JUMPS WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335157
95,000 miles · May 22, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2005. THE VEHICLE'S FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WAS IN 2008 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION "LOST" 3RD GEAR. IT WAS REBUILT BY FORD AND HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. YESTERDAY 21 MAY 2010 THE TRANSMISSION DID THE SAME THING IT DID IN 2008... SLAMMED HARD INTO REVERSE AND NOW IT WON'T SHIFT OU…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2005. THE VEHICLE'S FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WAS IN 2008 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION "LOST" 3RD GEAR. IT WAS REBUILT BY FORD AND HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. YESTERDAY 21 MAY 2010 THE TRANSMISSION DID THE SAME THING IT DID IN 2008... SLAMMED HARD INTO REVERSE AND NOW IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THIS IS TWICE I'M HAVING TO PAY TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331691
59,989 miles · May 8, 2010
Power Train
THE MESSAGE SCREEN ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER STARTED DISPLAYING "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WHILE DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND SPECIFICALLY THE 2005 MODEL. THE APPARENTLY ARE SO BA…
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THE MESSAGE SCREEN ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER STARTED DISPLAYING "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WHILE DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND SPECIFICALLY THE 2005 MODEL. THE APPARENTLY ARE SO BACKED UP THAT IT WOULD TAKE 2-3 WEEKS FOR MY CAR TO BE FIXED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLAWED. I'M NO EXPERT BUT IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AROUND 60K MILES TO EVERY ONE. TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE. I BARELY MADE IT HOME. IT TOOK LESS THAN 3 HRS FOR THE CAR TO STOP GOING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10329413
39,304 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY. ENGINE WOULD REV BUT VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A MASSIVE FLUID LEAK INSIDE THE CONVERTER HOUSING AND FLUID WAS DRIPPING ON THE HOT EXHAUST. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE…
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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY. ENGINE WOULD REV BUT VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A MASSIVE FLUID LEAK INSIDE THE CONVERTER HOUSING AND FLUID WAS DRIPPING ON THE HOT EXHAUST. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PUMP SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION, WITH ONLY 39,200 MILES. THE REPAIR COST $1100.00. LAST YEAR I SPENT $800.00 TO REPLACE THE FAILED SOLENOIDS IN THE TRANSMISSION BODY THAT WERE POSTED IN A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, FORD DID NOT WISH TO COVER THE COST SINCE I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY BY ONE YEAR ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAD 35,900 MILES AT THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326535
49,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Power Train
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 49,000 MILES CAR 3 YEARS OLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325441
107,000 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Power Train
FORD EXPLORER 2005 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR WOULD NOT LEAVE FIRST GEAR. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO RAMPANT WITH ALL FORD EXPLORERS--FORD SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THEM!!
NHTSA ODI #10322681
209,100 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT SAYS CHECK TRANSMISSION. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT AN ESTIMATE O $1800.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308628
64,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Power Train
I BOUGHT MY 2005 EXPLORER NEW. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. AT 13000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 64000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING INTO REVERSE AND DRAGGING INTO 3RD JUST LIKE BEFORE. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY C…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 EXPLORER NEW. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. AT 13000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 64000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING INTO REVERSE AND DRAGGING INTO 3RD JUST LIKE BEFORE. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY CAR JERKED, REVVED UP AND THEN CLUNKED INTO GEAR. THANK GOODNESS THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE. I TOOK IT IN AND FORD SAYS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. THEY SAID I JUST NEEDED MY COMPUTER UPDATED. WELL $200 LATER IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR IS STILL SLIPPING AND JERKING. MY CAR IS NOT QUITE 5 YEARS OLD AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY MY TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308358
Official recalls
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NHTSA investigations
2
EA09013 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Aug 18, 2009 · Closed Feb 12, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift; Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering:column
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
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.
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