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
100,000 miles · Oct 24, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND DRIVE WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION OR THE VEHICLE BEING ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND DRIVE WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION OR THE VEHICLE BEING ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BE STOP THE VEHICLE, GET INTO IT AND APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE INSPECTED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CORRECTION TO BE MADE OR RECALL RELATED TO THE VIN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10432531
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2011
Seats
THE ACTIVHEAT HEATED CAR SEAT COVER MODEL # 6HCSCBL24 WAS RECALLED BECAUSE THE SEAT COVER COULD OVERHEAT AND BURN ME. ON AUGUST 12, 2011 I MAILED IN MY REQUEST FOR A NEW SEAT COVER ALONG WITH A 3" X 5" SECTION OF THE FRONT MESH FABRIC OF THE SEAT COVER TO ACTIVHEAT SEAT RECALL, C/O ATLAS NORTH, PO BOX 873, WOODBURY, NJ 08096. TH…
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THE ACTIVHEAT HEATED CAR SEAT COVER MODEL # 6HCSCBL24 WAS RECALLED BECAUSE THE SEAT COVER COULD OVERHEAT AND BURN ME. ON AUGUST 12, 2011 I MAILED IN MY REQUEST FOR A NEW SEAT COVER ALONG WITH A 3" X 5" SECTION OF THE FRONT MESH FABRIC OF THE SEAT COVER TO ACTIVHEAT SEAT RECALL, C/O ATLAS NORTH, PO BOX 873, WOODBURY, NJ 08096. THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT I WOULD RECEIVE THE NEW SEAT COVER IN 30 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN OVER 60 DAYS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT COVER. I HAVE CALLED 800-541-3722 TWICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE ANSWERING SERVICE HAS TAKEN MY NAME AND PHONE # AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL. PLEASE HELP ME OBTAIN THE NEW SEAT COVER.
NHTSA ODI #10433208
56,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10430709
62,000 miles · Oct 13, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. AS A RESULT, THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. AS A RESULT, THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 12/06/11*LJ UPDATED 12/12/11
NHTSA ODI #10430085
80,400 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE OCCURRED SWITCHING SUDDENLY FROM DRIVINIG TO NEUTRAL, GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED UNLESS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN. SCARY SITUATION CONSIDERING THAT I COULD BE DRIVING ON THE LEFT LANE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A SAFETY COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR SAFETY …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE OCCURRED SWITCHING SUDDENLY FROM DRIVINIG TO NEUTRAL, GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED UNLESS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN. SCARY SITUATION CONSIDERING THAT I COULD BE DRIVING ON THE LEFT LANE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A SAFETY COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR SAFETY RECALL. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429468
48,958 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Steering
I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT I PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2005. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009, I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, WHICH HAD ROUGHLY 49,000 MILES DRIVEN AT THE TIME, INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IN DOING SO, THE GEARSHIFT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS ABL…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT I PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2005. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009, I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, WHICH HAD ROUGHLY 49,000 MILES DRIVEN AT THE TIME, INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IN DOING SO, THE GEARSHIFT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEARSHIFT IS NOT A SERVICEABLE PART AND THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED SHE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE, IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE COST FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND ASSOCIATED LABOR WOULD BE MORE THAN $1,600. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT A USED STEERING COLUMN FROM A JUNKYARD WOULD COST MUCH LESS, BUT THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL EARLY MONDAY MORNING. ON MONDAY MORNING, I WAS INFORMED BY KRF SOUTH THAT THEY COULD OBTAIN A USED STEERING COLUMN AND THE TOTAL COSTS FOR PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $620. I CHOSE TO HAVE THE USED USED STEERING COLUMN INSTALLED DUE TO THE PRICE DIFFERENTIAL. SIMPLY PUT, A GEARSHIFT SHOULD NOT BREAK OFF FROM THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH NORMAL VEHICLE USE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AFTER THE GEARSHIFT BROKE AWAY. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I COULD GET ASSISTANCE. NOW I HAVE A REPLACED STEERING COLUMN, WITH THE EVERLASTING THOUGHT THAT THE GEARSHIFT COULD BREAK OFF AT ANY POINT IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE A WIFE AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM HESITANT ABOUT HER USING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THIS MAY VERY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429254
75,000 miles · Oct 7, 2011
StructureVisibility
VERY LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM LIKE 1 FOOT LONG AND 3/16 WIDE CLOSE TO THE FORD LOGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429095
92,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Power Train
WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE SOMETIMES THERE IS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY. IT IS ALSO SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AT TIMES. MORE FREQUENT AS TIME GOES ON. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FROM TSB 05-15-4 CAUSING BY THE FORD FACTORY FAILING TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. I'M NOW LOOKING AT A COSTLY REPAIR. …
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WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE SOMETIMES THERE IS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY. IT IS ALSO SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AT TIMES. MORE FREQUENT AS TIME GOES ON. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FROM TSB 05-15-4 CAUSING BY THE FORD FACTORY FAILING TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. I'M NOW LOOKING AT A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428989
80,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Power Train
HTTPS://AIAHD.TELESISHQ.COM/MRCGI/MRSPELLCHECK.PL
NHTSA ODI #10428933
49,600 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. THE ENGINE ALSO HAS A HUM SOUND WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428233
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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