NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
497 reports36,000 miles · May 1, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEAR NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BELOW THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE FUELED IT SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS FILLING THE TANK TO THE TOP. EVERY TIME I HAVE FILLED THE VEHICLE UP, THE FUEL GAU…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEAR NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BELOW THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE FUELED IT SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS FILLING THE TANK TO THE TOP. EVERY TIME I HAVE FILLED THE VEHICLE UP, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE MILEAGE TILL EMPTY INDICATOR SHOWS JUST DASHES. IN ADDITION TO THE GAUGE DROPPING TO EMPTY MY "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" COMES ON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLY JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE SO I FIGURED I'D HAVE IT FIXED. THEN OUT OF CURIOSITY I DECIDED TO CHECK ONLINE AND WITH OTHER FELLOW OWNERS OF THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER MODEL TO SEE IF THEY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE DISTURBS ME MAINLY BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. GOD FORBID MY WIFE IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 14-MONTH-OLD SON AND RUNS OUT OF FUEL DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE ON A DESERTED DARK HIGHWAY. SINCE THIS WAS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO COME ONLINE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. BUT I DID NOT FIND THAT. ALL I FOUND WAS A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. NOW MY QUESTION IS, WHY HASNT THERE BEEN A RECALL YET WITH AN UPDATED PART FOR REPLACEMENT? IF SOMEONE COULD CONTACT ME AND ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226347
35,000 miles · Apr 27, 2008
Power Train
5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 2005 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER, SLIPS/FAILS TO CHANGE GEARS USUALLY EITHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (PASSING SLOWER VEHICLES, UPHILL DOWNSHIFTING) AND ALSO HAS A SEVERE DELAY IN ENGAGING IN REVERSE (3-5 SECONDS) I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE TWO ISSUES COULD RESULT IN A SEVERE OR DEADLY ACCIDENT. THIS …
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5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 2005 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER, SLIPS/FAILS TO CHANGE GEARS USUALLY EITHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (PASSING SLOWER VEHICLES, UPHILL DOWNSHIFTING) AND ALSO HAS A SEVERE DELAY IN ENGAGING IN REVERSE (3-5 SECONDS) I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE TWO ISSUES COULD RESULT IN A SEVERE OR DEADLY ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, USUALLY RESULTING IN FORD DEALER NOT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN AND FEEL THAT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION "CAN'T FIND THE GEAR" , ANOTHER VEHICLE COULD STRIKE MINE. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225803
44,113 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVING ON A TWISTY COASTAL HIGHWAY, ABOUT 35 MPH, TURNED WHEEL TO FOLLOW RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL, OR TO THE BRAKES. I HAD TO WRENCH THE WHEEL REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP FROM DRIVING OFF OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY PULLED TO THE SIDE, TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS, R…
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2005 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVING ON A TWISTY COASTAL HIGHWAY, ABOUT 35 MPH, TURNED WHEEL TO FOLLOW RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL, OR TO THE BRAKES. I HAD TO WRENCH THE WHEEL REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP FROM DRIVING OFF OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY PULLED TO THE SIDE, TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS, REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION. I REINSERTED KEY, CAR STARTED AND RAN AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 20 MILES, ABOUT 40 MINUTES, WITHOUT INCIDENT. THEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AGAIN-NO WARNING, JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SMALL WRENCH ICON LIT UP, AND DIGITAL DISPLAY MESSAGE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" APPEARED. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT THIS WARNING MESSAGE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FORD DEALER SERVICE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THEY HAVE TOLD ME A SENSOR ON A BELT WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF ITS PULLEY, AND THAT SENSOR WAS THEREFORE UNABLE TO SENSE THE CRANKSHAFT, AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF WHY THIS OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE, OR WHAT MEASURES COULD BE DONE TO ASSURE THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS ENGINE SHUTOFF HAD OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE, BUT BOTH TIMES THE ROAD WAS UNCROWDED, AND STRAIGHT, AND THE CAR RAN FINE AFTER STARTING BACK UP, SO I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT. BUT THE IDEA THAT I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD, OFF A CLIFF (!) AND DIED, OR HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND THIS SAME THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED, THIS TO ME IS TERRIFYING, AND UNACCEPTABLE. I REALIZE THERE IS INHERENT RISK IN DRIVING A CAR, BUT POTENTIALLY LETHAL MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE AMONG THOSE RISKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224634
44,113 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DROVE ANOTHER 20 MILES BEFORE IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, IT TOOK THE CONTACT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DROVE ANOTHER 20 MILES BEFORE IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, IT TOOK THE CONTACT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,113.
NHTSA ODI #10224615
20,000 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10223281
70,235 miles · Mar 15, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4X4 (4.0 L, 6-CYL, ADVANCE TRAC WITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL) VEHICLE , THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 48 MPH. LESS THAN 5 SECONDS LATER, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 48 MPH AND 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT-OFF. FORD CAR/TRUCK DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF W…
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WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4X4 (4.0 L, 6-CYL, ADVANCE TRAC WITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL) VEHICLE , THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 48 MPH. LESS THAN 5 SECONDS LATER, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 48 MPH AND 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT-OFF. FORD CAR/TRUCK DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS THE FORD CAR/TRUCK DEALER WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED THAT ENGINE FAILURE HAD ALSO OCCURRED FIVE SEPARATE TIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221298
41,000 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONLY 41 THOUSAND MILES. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED, THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE LOCK MECHANISM WERE CAUGHT INSIDE THE DOOR JAM, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BUTTON ON THE INSIDE DRIVERS …
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LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONLY 41 THOUSAND MILES. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED, THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE LOCK MECHANISM WERE CAUGHT INSIDE THE DOOR JAM, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BUTTON ON THE INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THE BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL, THEREFORE I AM SUBMITTING THIS REQUEST FOR REVIEW AND FOLLOW-UP FOR POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECTS. NO ACCIDENTS LED UP TO THIS EVENT, IT WAS JUST A SUDDEN ONSET WHERE THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AFTER VERY LITTLE USE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221161
35,747 miles · Feb 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,747.
NHTSA ODI #10217388
29,100 miles · Jan 16, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TOURING (NA), SIZE LT235/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE TIRE MOUNT. PRIOR …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TOURING (NA), SIZE LT235/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE TIRE MOUNT. PRIOR TO OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE AND THE TREAD WAS 4 AND 5/30 SECONDS. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,100. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ THE TIRE BLOW CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10215105
48,941 miles · Jan 16, 2008
Power Train
I PURCHASED A NEW FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH JUST UNDER 6,000 MILES FROM MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. IT WAS CONSIDERED "NEW" BECAUSE IT HAD UNDER 6,500 MILES (IT WAS THEIR DEMO CAR.) 5000 INTO MY NEW PURCHASE, AT APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED BACK WHILE IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT SH…
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I PURCHASED A NEW FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH JUST UNDER 6,000 MILES FROM MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. IT WAS CONSIDERED "NEW" BECAUSE IT HAD UNDER 6,500 MILES (IT WAS THEIR DEMO CAR.) 5000 INTO MY NEW PURCHASE, AT APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED BACK WHILE IN GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR SMOOTHLY. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AS A TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT. 8,000 MILES LATER (AT APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES), I WAS HAVING MORE DIFFICULTY WITH A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION AND TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER IN MY AREA. THEY FOUND A LEAK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND OTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUES. AT APPROXIMATELY 49,000 MILES (CURRENT MILEAGE), I WAS AGAIN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO SAID THE REAR NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND BASICALLY THE ENTIRE BACK END WAS FALLING APART. I COULD FEEL THIS WAS ALSO RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. I, AGAIN, TOOK IT IN FOR THE 3RD TIME AS A TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT. THE DEALER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS REPAIRED, BUT APPARENTLY, THEY ONLY FIXED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE REAR. I PAID $1500 TO FIX THE REAR. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AND I NOTICED THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND IT WAS MORE OBVIOUS THAN BEFORE. I LIVE ONLY 6 BLOCKS AWAY. I DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED THE CAR. THAT MORNING, I COULD BARELY GET MY CAR TO GO INTO GEAR. IT WOULD NOT EVEN GO INTO REVERSE. IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I EVENTUALLY GOT IT TO GO INTO DRIVE AND WAS JUST BARELY ABLE TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALER, WHICH, FORTUNATELY, WAS JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. THE CAR CLEARLY HAD A BAD TRANSMISSION FROM THE START. NOW, THE DEALER TELLS ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST ME $3500. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000-5,000 MILES. I TREAT THE CAR LIKE MY BABY - IT WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HARD ON THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE BACK END TROUBLE IS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION, AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215094
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.