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
35,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10368713
120,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Structure
PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE REAR LIFT-GATE WINDOW WITH A LARGE CRACK ACROSS ITS ENTIRE HEIGHT JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT WAS JUST POOR ENGINEERING AND THEY WILL NOT COVER OR ASSIST WITH THE COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, NOR WAS THERE ANY PLAN TO MAKE AVAILABLE A METAL VERSION OR PROPERLY ENGI…
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PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE REAR LIFT-GATE WINDOW WITH A LARGE CRACK ACROSS ITS ENTIRE HEIGHT JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT WAS JUST POOR ENGINEERING AND THEY WILL NOT COVER OR ASSIST WITH THE COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, NOR WAS THERE ANY PLAN TO MAKE AVAILABLE A METAL VERSION OR PROPERLY ENGINEERED REPLACEMENT PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368174
80,000 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND I HAD A FACTORY SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF MY ENGINE. IT WAS THE THIRD ONE BACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367946
57,732 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE REAR AXLE SEAL STARTED LEAKING AND HE COULD SMELL THE FLUIDS. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE REAR AXLE SEAL STARTED LEAKING AND HE COULD SMELL THE FLUIDS. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,732 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10367279
57,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT RINGS ON THE AXLE FRACTURED AND LOCKED UP THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE LEFT FRONT AXLE RING. THE FRONT RIGHT RING HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT RINGS ON THE AXLE FRACTURED AND LOCKED UP THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE LEFT FRONT AXLE RING. THE FRONT RIGHT RING HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
NHTSA ODI #10365953
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2010
Structure
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, AFTER HAVING IT FOR 3 MONTHS THE REAR LIFT GATE GOT A CRACK IN IT RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD SYMBOL. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT ON RECALL NOR IS IT UNDER WARRANTY, I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS WAS A USED VEHICLE, MY PARENTS OWN A 2003 EXPLORER AND THE SAME…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, AFTER HAVING IT FOR 3 MONTHS THE REAR LIFT GATE GOT A CRACK IN IT RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD SYMBOL. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT ON RECALL NOR IS IT UNDER WARRANTY, I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS WAS A USED VEHICLE, MY PARENTS OWN A 2003 EXPLORER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, MY NEIGHBOR OWNS A 2004 AND ALSO THE SAME THING HAPPENED, I HAVE ALSO SEEN NUMEROUS EXPLORERS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL, WITH THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR EXPLORERS RANGING FROM 2002-2005, IF THIS CRACK CONTINUES TO SPREAD MY GLASS WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10364226
96,000 miles · Oct 31, 2010
Power TrainSteering
THIS INCIDENT REFERS TO A 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER VIN # [XXX]. AFTER MAKING AN INVESTMENT TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE, ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HIMSELF OR FAMILY BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME, THEN GOING TO THE FORD DEALER FOR A PART AND BEIN…
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THIS INCIDENT REFERS TO A 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER VIN # [XXX]. AFTER MAKING AN INVESTMENT TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE, ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HIMSELF OR FAMILY BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME, THEN GOING TO THE FORD DEALER FOR A PART AND BEING TOLD IT COST 1300.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN THE CHEAP WHITE METAL THAT HELD IT TOGETHER JUST SHEARED OFF. DOES A DEATH NEED TO OCCUR TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363412
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2010
Structure
REAR TAILGATE WINDOW PORTION WITH FORD LOGO CRACKED VERTICALLY. I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS IS FROM REGULAR USE SINCE NOTHING HIT THE CAR. I ONLY USE THE UPPER PORTION OR THE TAILGATE AS IF YOU USE THE LARGER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE, ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FALLS OUT. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUS…
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REAR TAILGATE WINDOW PORTION WITH FORD LOGO CRACKED VERTICALLY. I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS IS FROM REGULAR USE SINCE NOTHING HIT THE CAR. I ONLY USE THE UPPER PORTION OR THE TAILGATE AS IF YOU USE THE LARGER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE, ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FALLS OUT. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE REAR WINDOW TO BE LESS THAN SECURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362361
32,580 miles · Oct 25, 2010
Visibility
SUN VISORS BROKE OFF. NOT BEING ABLE TO BLOCK SUN MAKING DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS DURING SUNNY DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362325
60,000 miles · Oct 22, 2010
Structure
HATCH PANEL BETWEEN WINDOW AND LATCH SPLIT (CRACKED) WHEN I CLOSED WINDOW AFTER PUTTING IN GROCERIES. CAR HAS 60,000 MILES, CALLED DEALER IN JULY TO SEE IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KNOW OF 7 OTHER 2005 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE EXACT SAME CRACK, HAPPENED THE EXACT SAME WAY. TOLD ME NO BUT SOUNDS LIKE A…
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HATCH PANEL BETWEEN WINDOW AND LATCH SPLIT (CRACKED) WHEN I CLOSED WINDOW AFTER PUTTING IN GROCERIES. CAR HAS 60,000 MILES, CALLED DEALER IN JULY TO SEE IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KNOW OF 7 OTHER 2005 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE EXACT SAME CRACK, HAPPENED THE EXACT SAME WAY. TOLD ME NO BUT SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. DIDN'T OFFER TO TAKE CARE OF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361789
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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