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
4,500 miles · Sep 19, 2005
Power Train
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT-3 WEEKS OLD NOW HAVE HAD TO: REPLACE REAR AXLE-HOWLING NOISE-STILL NOISE IN REAR AND HAVE TO TAKE BACK TOMORROW. HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL PROBLEMS W/ REAR AXLES BEING REPORTED. WOULD NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. 3 WEEKS OLD AND WE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS PURCHASE. SHOCKED THAT THEY SOLD THIS VEHICLE KNO…
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2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT-3 WEEKS OLD NOW HAVE HAD TO: REPLACE REAR AXLE-HOWLING NOISE-STILL NOISE IN REAR AND HAVE TO TAKE BACK TOMORROW. HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL PROBLEMS W/ REAR AXLES BEING REPORTED. WOULD NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. 3 WEEKS OLD AND WE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS PURCHASE. SHOCKED THAT THEY SOLD THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES W/ 2005 EXPLORERS IS PREDOMINATE. THEY ARE ALL UNDER WARRANTY SO NO RECALLS. 3 IN SHOP WHEN WE WERE THERE. BEEN WITHOUT OUR NEW VEHICLE 4 DAYS THUS FAR. NO RENTAL PROVIDED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137028
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
BOTH THE REAR LIFT-GATE AND BACK DOOR HAS OPENED ON ME, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND RESIDENTIAL ROADS, 6 TIMES ON MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 6,500 MILES ON IT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY I'LL BE TRANSPORTING SOMETHING AND THE BACK DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY PERSONA…
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BOTH THE REAR LIFT-GATE AND BACK DOOR HAS OPENED ON ME, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND RESIDENTIAL ROADS, 6 TIMES ON MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 6,500 MILES ON IT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY I'LL BE TRANSPORTING SOMETHING AND THE BACK DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS HAVE FLOWN OUT THE BACK INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN THIS OCCURS - IT'S VERY SPORADIC. THE MESSAGE CENTER DOES WARN ME THE LIFTGATE IS AJAR (TOO BAD I'M ALREADY DRIVING AND IT'S TOO LATE), AND THEN THE BACK HATCH OR BACK DOOR WILL OPEN UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM - THEREFORE ARE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10136408
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW. SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 09/13/2005, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. …
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW. SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 09/13/2005, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP FLUSHED ALL THE FLUIDS, DONE OIL CHANGE, AND KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2005. THE HEATER IN THE VEHICLE WENT UP AND DOWN, EVEN AT THE LOWEST SETTING THE HEATER GOT TOO HOT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10136390
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND SHE HEARD A LOW HOWLING NOISE. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WHERE NOT USE TO DRIVING A SUV. SHE FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER THA…
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DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND SHE HEARD A LOW HOWLING NOISE. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WHERE NOT USE TO DRIVING A SUV. SHE FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PINION IN THE REAR END. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT PLANNING ON DOING A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ARE CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR JOB WAS ABOUT 2000 DOLLARS. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THESE 2005 FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REALIZE THAT THIS NOISE IS A PROBLEM. THEY TOLERATE THIS BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS JUST THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10135191
43,000 miles · Aug 16, 2005
Power Train
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS MAKING A MOANING NOISE WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,00 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT FORD IS "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE, MY DEALER TELLS…
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I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS MAKING A MOANING NOISE WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,00 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT FORD IS "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE, MY DEALER TELLS ME MY ONLY RECOURSE IS A $1700 REBUILD OF THE REAR END. IT IS TIME FOR FORD TO ADMIT THAT THE LIGHT ALUMINUM REAR END WAS A POOR DESIGN AND RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT!!! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132992
2,200 miles · Aug 4, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other
MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON, ON A THREE MONTH OLD 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH 2200 MILES. I HAVE TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND IF SOMETHING DOES GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW AS THE LIGHT IS PERPETUALLY ON. THE DEALER STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE PART IS…
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MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON, ON A THREE MONTH OLD 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH 2200 MILES. I HAVE TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND IF SOMETHING DOES GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW AS THE LIGHT IS PERPETUALLY ON. THE DEALER STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE PART IS BACKORDERED, I 'VE BEEN WAITING 3 WEEKS ALREADY. THE DEALER STATES THEY ARE WAITING ON 20 OF THEM FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT MY SITUATION IS THE FIRST THEY'VE HEARD OF IT. THIS CAN'T BE TRUE AS THE DEALER I TOOK MY CAR TO IS WAITING ON THE PART TO FIX 20 EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO FOUND THIS PROBLEM POSTED IN NUMEROUS FORUMS ONLINE. I DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING FOR SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE OR WHETHER OR NOT YOUR ENGINE IS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND EXPEDITE THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS BACKORDERED PART. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131507
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIFTGATE (GLASS PORTION) OF MY 2005 EXPLORER WILL POP OPEN. THERE ARE NO PATTERNS (I.E. HITTING A BUMP) TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR IS I WILL BE HAULING SOMETHING - THE BACK WILL COME OPEN AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL OUT ONTO THE RAOD. MY DOGS TRAVEL BACK THERE TO AND FROM DOG SHOWS. I TOOK IT…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIFTGATE (GLASS PORTION) OF MY 2005 EXPLORER WILL POP OPEN. THERE ARE NO PATTERNS (I.E. HITTING A BUMP) TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR IS I WILL BE HAULING SOMETHING - THE BACK WILL COME OPEN AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL OUT ONTO THE RAOD. MY DOGS TRAVEL BACK THERE TO AND FROM DOG SHOWS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY ADJUSTED THE STRIKE PLATE. IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN'T DEFINE THE PROBLEM SO THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #10129930
1,700 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
REAR LIFTGATE (GLASS DOOR SECTION) OPENS BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. FIRST A WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS "LIFTGAGE AJAR" THEN THE DOOR OPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2005 WITH 3,500 MILES HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES & THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10129470
5,000 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR RPMS INCREASED WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES
NHTSA ODI #10128953
100 miles · Jun 28, 2005
Fuel System, Other
PURCHASED NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER AFTER FIRST 100 MILES FUEL GAUGE WENT FALSELY TO EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FOR MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. FORD HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE IN MAY 2005 YET THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE VEHICLE KNOWING THE UNITS ARE FAILING. WIL…
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PURCHASED NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER AFTER FIRST 100 MILES FUEL GAUGE WENT FALSELY TO EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FOR MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. FORD HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE IN MAY 2005 YET THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE VEHICLE KNOWING THE UNITS ARE FAILING. WILL REQUIRE THEM TO REMOVE MY GAS TANK AND REPLACE UNIT. I BELEIVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRIOR TO SELLING THIS VEHICLE OR I SHOULDHAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASING.
NHTSA ODI #10126813
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.
Illustration