Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
7425–50K
11450–75K
10275–100K
73100–150K
25150K+
430 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
497 reports
20,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE DOOR WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE DOOR WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK PANEL THAT IS CRACKED, IS ALSO SOMING UNGLUED. THE PANEL WAS REPLACED BEFORE AT 20,000 MILES. UPDATED 003/01/12
NHTSA ODI #10445124
65,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Structure
FOUND A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE RIGHT AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM. AFTER MENTIONING IT TO A FRIEND, TURNS OUT SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER EXPLORER AND A SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444996
68,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SENSOR BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SENSOR BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,400.
NHTSA ODI #10443673
70,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
THE GEARS IN THE POWERED BRAKE/GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY SEEM TO STRIP. THEN THE BRAKE/GAS PEDAL WON'T CHANGE POSITION. THAT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER BECAUSE THE PEDALS GET STUCK TOO FAR AWAY FOR SOME DRIVERS AND TOO CLOSE FOR OTHERS. THIS IS A FLEET WIDE ISSUE FOR ALL FORDS WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443668
41,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE DRIVE BELT FALLS OFF WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO CRANKSHAFT PULLEY SEPARATING FROM ENGINE MAKING VEHICLE INOPERATABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443433
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2011
Power Train
DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND WENT TO LEAVE AND I HAD NO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AND THEN ENGAGING PRIOR TO THIS-BUT NO SLIPPING OR ANYTHING ELSE. I HAD THE FLUID CHANGED AND THERE WERE NO TEETH OR ANY METAL IN THE FILTER OR PAN-BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SPOKE WITH 3 TRANSMISSION SHOPS…
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DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND WENT TO LEAVE AND I HAD NO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AND THEN ENGAGING PRIOR TO THIS-BUT NO SLIPPING OR ANYTHING ELSE. I HAD THE FLUID CHANGED AND THERE WERE NO TEETH OR ANY METAL IN THE FILTER OR PAN-BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SPOKE WITH 3 TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN MY TOWN AND ALL TOLD ME THE 05 EXPLORERS HAD JUNK TRANSMISSIONS. THAT THE FLUID IN PART OF THEM FROM THE FACTORY WAS BAD AND THE TRANNY ITSELF WAS JUST A BIG MISTAKE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED- $1338 LATER, I HAVE A REBUILT 'JUNK' TRANSMISSION. I HAVE OWNED FORDS IN THE PAST AND LOVED THEM, BUT MY EXPLORER ENDED THIS LOVER AFFAIR. EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK ONLINE THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE- AND NO ONE IS MAKING FORD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441221
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2011
Visibility
HEAT COMPONENT: TRIED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS ON MY VEHICLE, WHEN I ADJUSTED THE CONTROLS TO THE HEAT I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND NO HEAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENT. WINTER IS IN AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME MAKE & MODEL HAVE THE SAME EXACT …
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HEAT COMPONENT: TRIED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS ON MY VEHICLE, WHEN I ADJUSTED THE CONTROLS TO THE HEAT I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND NO HEAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENT. WINTER IS IN AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME MAKE & MODEL HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THERE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT IT IS A FAILED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT CAUSES A HIGH SAFETY RISK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440996
37,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Structure
RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM A CRACK DEVELOPED. IT'S ON THE REAR GLASS HATCH AND RUNS FROM THE TOP OF THE FIBERGLASS PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. THE PANEL KEEPS EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH THE CRACK GOING FROM JUST A SLIGHT LINE TO A 3/16" GAP! DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE…
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RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM A CRACK DEVELOPED. IT'S ON THE REAR GLASS HATCH AND RUNS FROM THE TOP OF THE FIBERGLASS PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. THE PANEL KEEPS EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH THE CRACK GOING FROM JUST A SLIGHT LINE TO A 3/16" GAP! DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN IT APPEARED AND FORD SAYS THAT IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOO BAD YOUR WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT! POOR DESIGN THAT FORD SHOULD FIX FOR THE MONEY WE HAVE GIVEN THEM FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440931
96,000 miles · Dec 18, 2011
Power Train
JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR. TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS AND IS NOW SLIPPING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AS I HAVE FOUND TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION FALLING APART. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AND REPLACE WITH A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A TRANSMISSION THAT IS B…
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JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR. TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS AND IS NOW SLIPPING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AS I HAVE FOUND TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION FALLING APART. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AND REPLACE WITH A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A TRANSMISSION THAT IS BOUND TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS IS A BLATANT MISSED RECALL. THE TRANS IS MODEL 5R55S. PLEASE RECALL THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440351
72,000 miles · Nov 30, 2011
Structure
REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER WINDOW 10 INCH CRACK IN MIDDLE. GLASS LOOSE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10437903
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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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