NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
41 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 14, 2026
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlFire
Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HO…
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Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HOI claims adjuster. * Any warning lamps/ messages?: I had been dealing with a engine light about 1 year earlier that popped up again about 3 months ago. The codes indicated "Lean bank-Right" and "Lean bank-Left". Facts: On July 20, 2026, at approximately 1:00 AM, my 1997 Ford F-150 spontaneously caught fire while parked in my garage. The vehicle had not been started for well over a week. The fire raged directly under our bedroom for over 40 minutes before the fire department was able to attempt containment, nearly burning our house to the ground. There were also two other vehicles in the garage at the time. We are currently in the early stages of a major Homeowners Insurance (HOI) restoration claim. Fortunately, the fire scene in the garage remains intact as of this date while the HOI conducts their investigations. We have learned that the likely cause is a poorly designed, defective cruise control system—a known Ford issue that has resulted in many spontaneous fires. Despite owning this vehicle since 1999, I never received notice from Ford, and was unaware of the associated manufacturer recall (NHTSA #05V017000).
NHTSA ODI #11756937
225,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE GAS TANK FELL OFF AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. THE STRAPS WERE CORRODED. I HAVE ONE OF THE STRAPS.
NHTSA ODI #10735525
138,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Engine
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS ROT OUT BREAK OFF AND THE GASKETS START LEAKING. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 4.6 AND THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE AS THERE ARE ABOUT 8 OF THEM IN MY WORK PARKING LOT THAT HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I OWNED A 1999 E150 THAT DID THE SAME THING AND THE EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CAB WERE SO BAD I HAD TO …
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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS ROT OUT BREAK OFF AND THE GASKETS START LEAKING. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 4.6 AND THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE AS THERE ARE ABOUT 8 OF THEM IN MY WORK PARKING LOT THAT HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I OWNED A 1999 E150 THAT DID THE SAME THING AND THE EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CAB WERE SO BAD I HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED. COST AROUND 1800.00 TO DO THIS REPAIR. MY LOCAL EXHAUST SHOPS SAY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND USUALLY HAPPENS BEFORE 100K MILES SO I SHOULD FEEL LUCKY I HAVE 138K. FORD SHOULD REALLY OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR DIES FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627564
135,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
ON MARCH 30, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (PST) MY 2000 FORD F-150 UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE COULD BE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING ALL THE PLASTIC, WIRING AND T…
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ON MARCH 30, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (PST) MY 2000 FORD F-150 UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE COULD BE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING ALL THE PLASTIC, WIRING AND THE AIR INTAKE AREA. THE FIRE MELTED EVERYTHING NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HOUSING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575964
165,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
SteeringCrash
I HAVE A COMPLAINT AS FORD WITH THERE SHIFTERS I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT ON SOME OLDER AND NEWER MODELS IS THE TWO BOLTS ON THE BRACKET ON THE END OF THE SHIFTER ROD ON THE STEERING COLUMN COME LOOSE AND OR MISSING BOLT AND THERE FOR HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS AS I DID ONE MORNING WITH MY 2000 F 150 WENT TO START THE TRUCK EARLY IN THE …
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I HAVE A COMPLAINT AS FORD WITH THERE SHIFTERS I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT ON SOME OLDER AND NEWER MODELS IS THE TWO BOLTS ON THE BRACKET ON THE END OF THE SHIFTER ROD ON THE STEERING COLUMN COME LOOSE AND OR MISSING BOLT AND THERE FOR HAVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS AS I DID ONE MORNING WITH MY 2000 F 150 WENT TO START THE TRUCK EARLY IN THE MORNING TRUCK WAS I THOUGHT WAS IN PARK ALL THE WAY AS I LEFT IT WENT INSIDE TO GET SOMETHING COME BACK OUT TRUCK WAS AC-CROSS THE STREET ESTIMATED 3100 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK WITH A SIMPLE MISSING BOLT ON THE SHIFTER CAUSED THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN I FIXED THE PROBLEM MY SELF BUT I SURE THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED SO NO ONE ELSE GETS HURT OR KILLED I HAVE PICS TO PROVE THE DAMAGE I CAN EMAIL THEM IF NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557951
103,000 miles · Jul 20, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS SNAPPED AND THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, UNAWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED, HEARD A NOISE AS SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE NOISE CEASED AFTER STOPPING. THE DRIVER THEN MADE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AT WHICH TIME THE NOISE CONTINUE…
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TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS SNAPPED AND THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, UNAWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED, HEARD A NOISE AS SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE NOISE CEASED AFTER STOPPING. THE DRIVER THEN MADE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AT WHICH TIME THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE PARKING LOT AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, SMELLED GAS AND FOUND THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE GROUND WITH GASOLINE LEAKING. NO RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY THE DRIVER OR THE SPOUSE OF THE DRIVER AT THEIR HOME ADDRESS IN SPITE OF BEING TOLD LATER, AFTER THE INCIDENT, THAT SEVERAL WERE SENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525884
209,000 miles · Feb 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
I HAVE A 2000 MODEL FORD F-150. MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AND MAYBE A MONTH OR LESS LATER I CAME HOME ONE NIGHT AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER I WENT INTO THE HOUSE I HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN WE LOOKED OUT THE DOOR MY TRUCK WAS A BALL OF FLAMES. THE LOUD BANG I HAD HEARD WAS THE TIRE POPPING. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE…
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I HAVE A 2000 MODEL FORD F-150. MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AND MAYBE A MONTH OR LESS LATER I CAME HOME ONE NIGHT AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER I WENT INTO THE HOUSE I HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN WE LOOKED OUT THE DOOR MY TRUCK WAS A BALL OF FLAMES. THE LOUD BANG I HAD HEARD WAS THE TIRE POPPING. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT SHORTLY AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK I HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT THIS RECALL WHEN I ASKED IF THE TRUCK HAD ANY. ALL I WAS TOLD IS THAT THERE WAS ONE ON THE PARKING BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303747
90,000 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON 2000 F150 5.4 TRITON ENGINE. DAMAGING COIL AND HEAD. RELEASING FUEL MIXTURE INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR POTENTIAL EXPLOSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296972
32,000 miles · Dec 1, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
2000 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW MOTORHOME WITH FORD TRITON V10 ENGINGE: AT 32,000 BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD. FORD DEALER QUOTED ME $6,000 TO REPLACE WITH NEW/IMPROVED HEAD. I CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE FOR LESS THAN $3,000. THIS IS INCREDIBLE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. EVEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT TOWED ME TO TH…
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2000 FLEETWOOD PACE ARROW MOTORHOME WITH FORD TRITON V10 ENGINGE: AT 32,000 BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD. FORD DEALER QUOTED ME $6,000 TO REPLACE WITH NEW/IMPROVED HEAD. I CAN REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE FOR LESS THAN $3,000. THIS IS INCREDIBLE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. EVEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT TOWED ME TO THE DEALER SAID HIS FORD TRUCK WITH A V10 RECENTLY BLEW A PLUG AS WELL. I OWN FOUR MOTORHOMES ALL WITH THE FORD TRITON V10 ENGINE. THE COMPANY I USED TO WORK FOR HAD SIX MOTORHOMES WITH THE FORD TRITON V10 AND HAD FOUR SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT INCIDENCES WHILE I WAS WORKING THERE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT A COMPANY CAN GET AWAY WITH PEDDLING CRAP TO CUSTOMERS AND THEN CHARGING THEM $6,000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!!! CONTACT OSCAR AT DON KOTT FORD IN CARSON, CA TO CONFIRM MY ESTIMATE. DO SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING DO SOMETHING! THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174850
95,000 miles · Aug 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD 3 SPARK PLUGS EJECT FROM MY 2000 F150 5.4L IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. SO FAR, REPAIRS HAVE TOTALED $150, BUT THE LAST ONE TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT. ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS ONE IS $400 WITH A SPECIALLY MADE REPAIR KIT. AS MOST KNOW, THIS IS "THE PROBLEM THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED". EVERYONE KNOWS IT EXISTS, FORD DOESN'T WANT TO DE…
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I HAVE HAD 3 SPARK PLUGS EJECT FROM MY 2000 F150 5.4L IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. SO FAR, REPAIRS HAVE TOTALED $150, BUT THE LAST ONE TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT. ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS ONE IS $400 WITH A SPECIALLY MADE REPAIR KIT. AS MOST KNOW, THIS IS "THE PROBLEM THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED". EVERYONE KNOWS IT EXISTS, FORD DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164726
NHTSA investigations
4DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head
Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
RQ02002 · Tire Valve Stem
Opened Jan 14, 2002 · Closed Aug 19, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires
There is no summary currently available
SQ00002 · Pulls Under Hard Braking
Opened May 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE00003 · Front Center Lap Belt Anchorage
Opened Jan 13, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
ALLEGED THAT THE FRONT SAFETY BELT REPORTEDLY WAS NOT MOUNTED TO THE VEHICLE
Illustration