NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
10 reportsClear category filter199,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlFire
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, LEAKED THROUGH TO CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH INTO CRUISE SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CAUSING CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. HAD TROUBLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL WORKING OVER TIME LEAD TO HIGHER FLOW OF CURRENT THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FIRE AT SWITCH UNDER HOOD. FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FI…
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LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, LEAKED THROUGH TO CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH INTO CRUISE SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CAUSING CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. HAD TROUBLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL WORKING OVER TIME LEAD TO HIGHER FLOW OF CURRENT THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FIRE AT SWITCH UNDER HOOD. FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE AREA WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LOCATED (LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILURE PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCLUDING INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL, REPEATED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451552
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH THE 5.4 LITER ENGINE AND I HAVE AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM BOTH BACK CORNERS ON EACH OF THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS. MY MECHANIC SHOP DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT DURING THIS YEAR OF 2003 THE GASKETS COULD OF BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT. I FEEL LIKE THIS ISSUE NEEDS T…
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I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH THE 5.4 LITER ENGINE AND I HAVE AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM BOTH BACK CORNERS ON EACH OF THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS. MY MECHANIC SHOP DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT DURING THIS YEAR OF 2003 THE GASKETS COULD OF BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT. I FEEL LIKE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373394
108,000 miles · Dec 22, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS. TWO OF THE OCCASIONS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH, THE THIRD INSTANCE HAPPENED IN MY SUBDIVISION DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH. AFTER PULLING THE TRUCK OVER TO THE SIDE FOR SAFETY THE TRUCK WILL NOT START IMMEDIATELY BUT WILL …
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MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS. TWO OF THE OCCASIONS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH, THE THIRD INSTANCE HAPPENED IN MY SUBDIVISION DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH. AFTER PULLING THE TRUCK OVER TO THE SIDE FOR SAFETY THE TRUCK WILL NOT START IMMEDIATELY BUT WILL START AFTER RESTING ABOUT 7 MINUTES. WHEN THE TRUCK SHUTS DOWN SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP. I EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AS WELL AS I COULD TO MY LOCAL FORD / LINCOLN DEALERSHIP IN MADISON, TN BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH IT SAYING THAT NO CODES WERE SHOWING. I ALSO TOOK THE TRUCK TO A GOODYEAR SERVICE REPAIR IN BRENTWOOD, TN BUT THEY ALSO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE, SOME SAYING THAT THE ISSUE IS RELATED TO THE "FAIL SAFE" SECURITY OPTION KICKING IN WHILE A PERSON IS DRIVING. THE ISSUE OF HAVING MY TRUCK SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY ON THE INTERSTATE IS DANGEROUS AND I WOULD APPRECIATE HELP ON GETTING THE ISSUE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #10372802
99,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2003 NAVIGATOR, 99,000MILES - SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT - ENGINE LOST POWER, GAS SPILLING OUT OF ENGINE, DURING THE TRANSPORT OF 1 ADULT AND 4 CHILDREN. 1. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE TRUCK WAS GIVEN A FULL SERVICE FOR 100K MILES, LESS THEN 1000 MILES LATER, THE CAR IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AND THE DEALER OFFERED TO GIVE $…
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2003 NAVIGATOR, 99,000MILES - SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT - ENGINE LOST POWER, GAS SPILLING OUT OF ENGINE, DURING THE TRANSPORT OF 1 ADULT AND 4 CHILDREN. 1. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE TRUCK WAS GIVEN A FULL SERVICE FOR 100K MILES, LESS THEN 1000 MILES LATER, THE CAR IS RENDERED INOPERABLE, AND THE DEALER OFFERED TO GIVE $2500 ON TRADE (THE AMOUNT OF THE 100K SERVICE) OR REPAIR THE ENGINE FOR $5500. 2. CAR DOES NOT RUN 3. NOTHING IS FIXED YET, FORD WILL NOT ADMIT A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ASSIST THE DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334261
105,000 miles · May 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD BUT THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SUDDENLY TAKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD BUT THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SUDDENLY TAKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A VACUUM LEAK. THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A DAY LATER. THE FAILURE REOCCURRED TWICE BUT HAD NOT OCCURRED SINCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
NHTSA ODI #10330274
81,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH A BIG 5.4-LITER V-8 ENGINE FROM WITTMEIER FORD IN CHICO, CA. IN 2004. THE NAVIGATOR LOOKED LIKE A GREAT DEAL. THE PRICE WAS $43,000. THE NAVIGATOR HAD ONLY 23,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BUT THE GREAT DEAL BLEW UP IN MY FACE WHEN THE USED LINCOLN NAVIGATOR SPIT A SPARK PLUG AT 81,000 M…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH A BIG 5.4-LITER V-8 ENGINE FROM WITTMEIER FORD IN CHICO, CA. IN 2004. THE NAVIGATOR LOOKED LIKE A GREAT DEAL. THE PRICE WAS $43,000. THE NAVIGATOR HAD ONLY 23,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. BUT THE GREAT DEAL BLEW UP IN MY FACE WHEN THE USED LINCOLN NAVIGATOR SPIT A SPARK PLUG AT 81,000 MILES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE TRUCK BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AS WE DROVE THE CAR IT CONTINUED TO BACK FIRE. THE IGNITION PACK FOR THAT PLUG WAS SHREDDED. I CALLED WITTMEIER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE PROBLEM. THE THREADS IN THE NUMBER 3 SPARK PLUG HOLE IN THE NAVIGATOR WERE STRIPPED. WE NEEDED TO RE-THREAD THE NUMBER 3 SPARK PLUG HOLE AND REPLACE THE IGNITION PACK. I READ ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT WILL LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229013
84,000 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ULTIMATE @ 84,000 MILES BLEW 2 SPARK PLUGS THROUGH THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ALUMINUM HEAD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD AND THAT THERE IS ALSO AN AFTER-MARKET FIX TO THIS INCREASING PROBLEM THAT RE-THREADS THE SPARK PLUGS, BUT THAT SAID FIX ALSO …
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MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ULTIMATE @ 84,000 MILES BLEW 2 SPARK PLUGS THROUGH THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ALUMINUM HEAD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD AND THAT THERE IS ALSO AN AFTER-MARKET FIX TO THIS INCREASING PROBLEM THAT RE-THREADS THE SPARK PLUGS, BUT THAT SAID FIX ALSO GETS FORCED THROUGH SAID INADEQUATELY ENGINEERED ALUMINUM HEAD. FOR REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF SAID HEAD AND SAID REPAIR IS ESTIMATED IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I REPLACED THE MELTED COIL AND BARELY WAS ABLE TO THREAD NEW PLUGS INTO PLACE, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN MY CAR. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL ALL OF THESE ENGINES AND REPLACE THE OLD HEADS WITH NEW, BETTER ENGINEERED HEADS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10160387
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE SERVICE DEALER TRIED VARIOUS FIXES BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109614
25,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH GETTING THE GEAR OUT OF PARK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103718
17,562 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *AK WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE MADE A PRESSURE LIKE NOISE THAT WOULD GET LOUDER, THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE VALVES HAD A…
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WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *AK WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE MADE A PRESSURE LIKE NOISE THAT WOULD GET LOUDER, THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE VALVES HAD A TAPPING SOUND THAT WAS ABNORMAL, THERE WAS A METAL SCRAPING SOUND WHICH AS IF THE BOTTOM WAS GOING TO DROP OUT, THERE WERE EXHAUST NOISES ALONG WITH A POPPING SOUND, AND THERE WAS CONTINUOUS STALLING. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN ONGOING DISPUTE REGARDING THE ODOMETER READING. ALSO THE BRAKES AND DOOR LOCKED NEVER WORKED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10050274
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · 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.
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