NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
497 reports25,800 miles · Oct 25, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
LAST YEAR THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURES, AND WOULD NOT READ OUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. NOTIFIED THE DEALER, WHO SUPPOSEDLY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS W…
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LAST YEAR THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURES, AND WOULD NOT READ OUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. NOTIFIED THE DEALER, WHO SUPPOSEDLY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER THE DEALER HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF COMPONENTS. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DESIGN FLAW, AS OPERATING A VEHICLE WITHOUT KNOWING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE ONLY WAY WE MAINTAIN A SAFE FUEL LEVEL IN OUR VEHICLE IS BY KEEPING THE TANK TOPPED OFF FREQUENTLY, AND KEEPING TRACK OF THE MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A NEWER VEHICLE, WITH MODERN ELECTRONICS, SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246683
28,500 miles · Oct 25, 2008
Power Train
WHILE I WAS TOWING A TRAILER THAT WAS WELL UNDER THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE FLUID LEAKED DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE TO COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF…
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WHILE I WAS TOWING A TRAILER THAT WAS WELL UNDER THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE FLUID LEAKED DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE TO COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY FREEWAY WITH THE VEHICLE SMOKING PROFUSELY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION ON SITE. IT TOOK ALMOST FOUR WEEKS TO GET OUR VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER. I FEAR THAT A LARGE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK ON ONE OF THESE FAULTY DESIGNED VEHICLE COULD START A FIRE OR CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246682
43,000 miles · Oct 25, 2008
Electrical System
VEHICLE HAD A DEAD BATTERY ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS AGO. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DID NO OTHER DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN EVERY DAY, THE BATTERY DRAINS DOWN, AND NOW THE BATTERY WILL NOT CHARGE AT ALL. NOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE, AND THE DEALER WILL NOT DIAGNOSE THE CHARGI…
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VEHICLE HAD A DEAD BATTERY ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS AGO. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DID NO OTHER DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN EVERY DAY, THE BATTERY DRAINS DOWN, AND NOW THE BATTERY WILL NOT CHARGE AT ALL. NOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE, AND THE DEALER WILL NOT DIAGNOSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE, AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE IS JUST ONE OF MY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246681
50,000 miles · Oct 21, 2008
Wheels
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR WHEEL STUDS SHEAR OFF, WHEEL FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES 1ST TIME 9/22/08 REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. TRAVEL SPEED APPROX. 25MPH. ALL FIVE STUDS SHEARED OFF. TOWED IN HAD REPAIRED. COST $442.00 INCLUDING PURCHASE OF A NEW WHEEL. 10/1/08 HEARD A SLIG…
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2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR WHEEL STUDS SHEAR OFF, WHEEL FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES 1ST TIME 9/22/08 REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. TRAVEL SPEED APPROX. 25MPH. ALL FIVE STUDS SHEARED OFF. TOWED IN HAD REPAIRED. COST $442.00 INCLUDING PURCHASE OF A NEW WHEEL. 10/1/08 HEARD A SLIGHT CHIRP IN DRIVERS SIDE REAR SO I REMOVED CENTER CAP AND FOUND TWO SHEARED OFF STUDS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CENTER CAP. REPLACED ALL 5 STUDS TOTAL COST $204.00 10/18/08 ARRIVED HOME FROM A FISHING TRIP A DISTANCE OF 600MILES ROUND TRIP LOOKED AT WHEELS AND FOUND MISSING STUD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR MISSING AND ANOTHER STUD STRIPPED. CURRENTLY HAVE CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR WHICH WILL BE APPROX. $180.00. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO, 4 TIMES YESTERDAY AND TODAY WITH THEM DENOUNCING THIS COULD HAPPEN AND ACCEPTING 0 RESPONSIBILITY AND HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT WITH THIS ISSUE. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE BY GOGGLING "FORD EXPLORER WHEEL FALLS OFF" OR "FORD EXPLORER WHEEL STUDS FALL OFF" I FIND OVER TWO DOZEN EXACT COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD EXPLORER STUDS SHEARING OFF. LIKE MINE, IN MOST CASES THE SUV HAS BETWEEN 48,000 AND 50,000 MILES. AND IN MANY REPORTS IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE SAME VEHICLE. I FOUND FORD MOTOR CO. REPRESENTATIVES TAKING A TOTAL NO RESPONSIBILITY POSTURE AND TO BE VERY UNCARING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MAJOR ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH THAT MY BE CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY CONDITION. I WRITE THIS COMPLAINT WITH HOPES YOU MAY TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO MAKE OUR HIGHWAYS SAFER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246258
27,000 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L V6 28,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 7, 2005 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THE END OF JUNE 2008 (INTERMITTENT LOSS OF FUEL GAUGE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON DASH LIGHT) CALLED THE FORD DEALER ON OR ABOUT JULY 1, 2008. WE WERE DRIVING AND THE TRUCK ENGINE DIED, NO WARNING NO STEE…
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2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L V6 28,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 7, 2005 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THE END OF JUNE 2008 (INTERMITTENT LOSS OF FUEL GAUGE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON DASH LIGHT) CALLED THE FORD DEALER ON OR ABOUT JULY 1, 2008. WE WERE DRIVING AND THE TRUCK ENGINE DIED, NO WARNING NO STEERING NO BRAKES, (THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE FAILED TEST MODE LIGHT CAME ON) SHE MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT STARTED UP AS IF EVERYTHING WAS OK, MOMENTS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED AGAIN WHILE MOVING. SHE DROVE IT TO MY HOUSE AND TOOK MY CAR HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241711
48,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ACT ERRATIC . IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN , THEN IT WOULD GO TO BELOW EMPTY . IN LATE MAY THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT COMPLETELY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON THE ENTIRE TIME . I HAVE NO WARRANTY AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP LOOSES PRESSURE AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT . TODAY IT STARTED TO STUMBLE WH…
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MY VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ACT ERRATIC . IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN , THEN IT WOULD GO TO BELOW EMPTY . IN LATE MAY THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT COMPLETELY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON THE ENTIRE TIME . I HAVE NO WARRANTY AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP LOOSES PRESSURE AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT . TODAY IT STARTED TO STUMBLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT . I AM DISABLED AND I CANT AFFORD 770 $ . THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 MILES ON IT . I AM TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT THE PUMP/FUEL SENDER/ GAS CAP SENDER UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION , BECAUSE A VEHICLE THIS NEW SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239553
14,000 miles · Aug 24, 2008
Tires
TIRES HAVE SMALL CRACKS ALONG TREAD LUGS AND SIDEWALL TREAD LUGS. I AM AFRAID THEY WILL BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239533
40,100 miles · Aug 23, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR HAD DIED APPROX. 4 TIMES BEFORE LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. ON EACH PRIOR OCCASION WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD DEALER IN OK, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT IT HAPPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. WE ATTRIBUTED IT TO BAD FUEL BECAUSE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO REC…
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CAR HAD DIED APPROX. 4 TIMES BEFORE LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. ON EACH PRIOR OCCASION WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD DEALER IN OK, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT IT HAPPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. WE ATTRIBUTED IT TO BAD FUEL BECAUSE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS WITH FORD. THEN CAR DIED FOR NO REASON, COULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. FORD REPAIR SHOP THOUGHT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT WHICH THEY REPLACED THEN THEY STILL COULDN'T GET IT TO START. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND THAT WAS WHY IT WOULDN'T START TO A TUNE OF $1100.0 WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD 40,100 MILES AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED @ 36,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239444
69,000 miles · Aug 6, 2008
Power Train
2 DAYS AGO THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 EXPLORER BEGAN TO HESITATE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE NEXT MORNING WHILE ON MY WAY TO A SERVICE STATION, IT SLIPPED OUT OF 2ND AND NEVER FOUND 3RD... THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP. I COULD SHIFT ON THE COLUMN SO I DID THAT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER RUNNING SOME TESTS, TH…
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2 DAYS AGO THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 EXPLORER BEGAN TO HESITATE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE NEXT MORNING WHILE ON MY WAY TO A SERVICE STATION, IT SLIPPED OUT OF 2ND AND NEVER FOUND 3RD... THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP. I COULD SHIFT ON THE COLUMN SO I DID THAT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER RUNNING SOME TESTS, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT 3RD GEAR WAS "GONE" AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND I'VE SPENT 1.5 YEARS OF THOSE THREE IN THE DESERT... THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BLOW AFTER 3 YEARS REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT FOR 1.5 YEARS OF IT, IT WASN'T DRIVEN REGULARLY. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS AND TAKE CARE OF IT'S CUSTOMERS. THIS WILL BE MY LAST FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237182
52,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Fuel System, Other
WHEN I FILL MY GAS TANK, OCCASIONALLY THE ARROW DOES NOT GO TO FULL. I ALSO HAVE AN ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD THAT TELLS ME HOW MANY MILES I HAVE LEFT TO DRIVE BEFORE I AM ON EMPTY. THIS ALSO DOES NOT CHANGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NO MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND TAKES A DAY OR TWO FOR GAUGE TO READ FULL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235341
NHTSA investigations
2EA09013 · 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.
PE09020 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Apr 21, 2009 · Closed Aug 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; 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.
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.