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
78,000 miles · Feb 18, 2011
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BACK TAILGATE WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHSTA HOTLINE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND OFFER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BACK TAILGATE WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHSTA HOTLINE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10383257
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD EXPLORER AND EVERY TIME WE FILL THE TANK WITH GAS THE GAUGE STOPS WORKING UNTIL IT REACHES HALF A TANK THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT IT DROPS TO ALMOST EMPTY. SO WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THE AMOUNT OF GAS WE HAVE IT. BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381611
80,520 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AND 20 MILES LATER MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, THE REPAIR SHOP STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AND 20 MILES LATER MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, THE REPAIR SHOP STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS? I SURE HOPE I AM NOT LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381352
73,500 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Structure
PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE ROOF (OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) IN THE GROOVES OF THE ROOF. ALSO, THE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE TOP OF THE LIFTGATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381243
11,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Wheels
NOTICED A GRINDING OR HUMMING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. TURNS OUT I NEEDED BOTH LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AND THE RIGHT REAR IS ALSO GOING BAD ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. NOW A MONTH LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM W FORD EXPLORERS AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE WHEELS SEIZE ON THEM,…
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NOTICED A GRINDING OR HUMMING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. TURNS OUT I NEEDED BOTH LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AND THE RIGHT REAR IS ALSO GOING BAD ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. NOW A MONTH LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM W FORD EXPLORERS AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE WHEELS SEIZE ON THEM, SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381228
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2011
Structure
NOTICED THE BACK PANEL OF MY 05 EXPLORER WAS DEEPLY CRACKED. DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A DEFECT OF MANY EXPLORERS. I DON'T HAVE TO MONEY TO FIX IT AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SINCE I DID NOTHING WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380021
65,500 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Power Train
2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILING WITH MILEAGE OF 65K MILES! WAS TOLD BY FORD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3500 PLUS TAX TO FIX. CALLED FMC AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS BY FMC MAIN OFFICE OR DEALERSHIP; DISMISSED NOTION OF ANY VALIDITY TO C…
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2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILING WITH MILEAGE OF 65K MILES! WAS TOLD BY FORD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3500 PLUS TAX TO FIX. CALLED FMC AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS BY FMC MAIN OFFICE OR DEALERSHIP; DISMISSED NOTION OF ANY VALIDITY TO COMPLAINTS SHOWING UP ONLINE; WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD SIMPLY MAKE NOTE OF IT IN THEIR SYSTEM AND THAT WAS IT! SO FAR NOTHING SERIOUS HAS HAPPENED, BUT APPARENTLY OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE HOME FROM A FUNERAL OUT OF TOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379772
53,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Electrical SystemStructureVehicle Speed Control
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , BODY STRUCTURE , GAS PEDAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378795
87,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH THE TAILGATE CRACKED UNDER THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRACK WAS COSMETIC AND NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE; THEREFORE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH THE TAILGATE CRACKED UNDER THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRACK WAS COSMETIC AND NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE; THEREFORE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE PIECES FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378744
80,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Power TrainSteeringInjury
I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE FORD EXPLORER HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. I PULLED INTO MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY WHICH IS A FLAT, GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. THE FORD EXPLORER IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN EXITED THE FORD EXPLORER. AFTER EXITING T…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE FORD EXPLORER HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. I PULLED INTO MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY WHICH IS A FLAT, GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. THE FORD EXPLORER IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN EXITED THE FORD EXPLORER. AFTER EXITING THE FORD EXPLORER, IT STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS. THE OPEN DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN AND THEN THE TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RAN OVER MY LEG. MY SISTER RAN AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378676
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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