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2004 Lincoln Navigator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Navigator do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 24 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

86 reports
92,000 miles · Jan 16, 2015
Structure

FORD HAS FAILED TO INSTALL INSULATION ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HOOD THEREFORE THE HEAT HAS CAUSED THE HOOD PAINT AND CLEAR COAT TO BUBBLE AND PEEL. MY HOOD HAS AS MANY SPOTS ON IT AS A HORMONAL TEENAGE BOY HAS ON HIS FACE. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE VALUE OF MY CAR AND MY PRIDE IN OWNING THIS VEHICLE.…

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FORD HAS FAILED TO INSTALL INSULATION ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HOOD THEREFORE THE HEAT HAS CAUSED THE HOOD PAINT AND CLEAR COAT TO BUBBLE AND PEEL. MY HOOD HAS AS MANY SPOTS ON IT AS A HORMONAL TEENAGE BOY HAS ON HIS FACE. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED INJURY TO THE VALUE OF MY CAR AND MY PRIDE IN OWNING THIS VEHICLE. MANY LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED AND SUCCESSFULLY WON THROUGH SEVERAL STATES, A NATIONWIDE RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676159

14,700 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Air BagsSuspension

I HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AND WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD THE AIRBAGS HAVE BUSTED ON ME AND THE COMPRESSOR. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND 2 YEARS IN A ROW EACH WINTER MY SUSPENSION HAS FAILED. MY WHEELS ARE RIDING RIGHT UNDER MY TIRE WALL AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. AT $10…

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I HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AND WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD THE AIRBAGS HAVE BUSTED ON ME AND THE COMPRESSOR. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND 2 YEARS IN A ROW EACH WINTER MY SUSPENSION HAS FAILED. MY WHEELS ARE RIDING RIGHT UNDER MY TIRE WALL AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. AT $1000 TO FIX THESE THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 1 YEAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALL OUR VEHICLES, THE AIR SUSPENSION IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTHER RIDE NOT A ROUGH WINTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672760

170,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS SPORADICALLY STALLED/STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN IT STOPS LIKE THIS IT CAN OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY OR SURFACE STREETS WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LINCOLN DEALER TWO TIMES WITH THE LAST TIME BEING TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHICH I WAS SKEPTICAL, BECAUSE OF NO PREVI…

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FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS SPORADICALLY STALLED/STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN IT STOPS LIKE THIS IT CAN OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY OR SURFACE STREETS WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LINCOLN DEALER TWO TIMES WITH THE LAST TIME BEING TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHICH I WAS SKEPTICAL, BECAUSE OF NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM FORD MOTOR WHO ESSENTIALLY DISMISSED WITHOUT ANY LIABILITY DUE TO THE CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE BEFORE THERE IS ANY INJURY, ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. I HAVE THE E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574086

112,000 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Suspension

JAN 2012 AIR SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING IN BELOW 30 DEGREES ON A TRIP. CAR WAS BOUNCING AND COULD NOT CONTROL IT PROPERLY. REPLACED AIR SHOCK ON REAR. NOV 2013 - SAME TEMPS AND SAME LIGHT AND CONTROL PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR REACHED A WARMER TEMP.(SOUTH FOR 3 HOURS) IT NO LONGER BOUNCED AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SERVICE S…

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JAN 2012 AIR SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING IN BELOW 30 DEGREES ON A TRIP. CAR WAS BOUNCING AND COULD NOT CONTROL IT PROPERLY. REPLACED AIR SHOCK ON REAR. NOV 2013 - SAME TEMPS AND SAME LIGHT AND CONTROL PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR REACHED A WARMER TEMP.(SOUTH FOR 3 HOURS) IT NO LONGER BOUNCED AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SERVICE SHOP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. DEC 2013 ANOTHER TRIP UP NORTH AND SAME THING.AND SAME SERVICE FIND. NOTHING. JAN 2014 IN A WARMER TEMP. LIGHT CAME ON AND BOUNCE CAME BACK. SERVICE SHOP SAID IT LOOKS LIKE THE COMPRESSOR IS GOING BAD. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO ME IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY FORD (LINCOLN). IT IS DANGEROUS AND CERTAINLY MAKES THE CAR UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560539

97,000 miles · Jan 1, 2014
Suspension

WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING, THE AIR SUSPENSION SPRINGS STOP FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THE VALVE THAT HOLDS THE AIR IN THE AIR BAGS GETS FROST ON IT AND CAN'T CLOSE ANYMORE. THIS CAUSES THE SUSPENSION TO RIDE ON THE RUBBER STOPS. THE TIRES RUB IN THE FENDER WELLS. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY RUB THE TIRE TO A TIRE FA…

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WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING, THE AIR SUSPENSION SPRINGS STOP FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THE VALVE THAT HOLDS THE AIR IN THE AIR BAGS GETS FROST ON IT AND CAN'T CLOSE ANYMORE. THIS CAUSES THE SUSPENSION TO RIDE ON THE RUBBER STOPS. THE TIRES RUB IN THE FENDER WELLS. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY RUB THE TIRE TO A TIRE FAILURE. THIS WILL CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558079

118,000 miles · Aug 29, 2013
SuspensionInjury

HI I OWN A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER THE 3RD MONTH MY AIR SUSPENCION WENT OUT THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK IS SO LOW IT TOUCH THE TIRES WHEN I DRIVE THE TRUCK BOUNCE SO MUCH MY BACK AND HEAD HURTS I HATE TO DRIVE IT BUT IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE AND NO MONEY TO FIX MY KIDS DONT LIKE TO DRIVE IN IT AND IM SCARE TO TAKE MY 7…

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HI I OWN A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER THE 3RD MONTH MY AIR SUSPENCION WENT OUT THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK IS SO LOW IT TOUCH THE TIRES WHEN I DRIVE THE TRUCK BOUNCE SO MUCH MY BACK AND HEAD HURTS I HATE TO DRIVE IT BUT IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE AND NO MONEY TO FIX MY KIDS DONT LIKE TO DRIVE IN IT AND IM SCARE TO TAKE MY 7 MONTH OLD BABY ANY WERE BECAUSE I AM SCARED THAT SHE WILL GET HURT FROM ALL THE BOUNCING!!!! I SEEN OVER 10 NAVIGATOR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM LINCOLN NEED TO MAKE THIS A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND BOUNCING AND ITS HARD TO CONTROL THE STARING WHEEL

NHTSA ODI #10537839

90,100 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE FRONT END TO REST ON THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHO REPLACED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE FRONT END TO REST ON THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT SUSPENSION SENSOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,100 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10532645

7,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
StructureVisibility

THE SUN ROOF LEAKS, TAIL GATE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND RUNNING BOARD DON'T WORK PROPERLY AS WELL AND THE MY LOCAL FOR CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM:( *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505964

123,000 miles · Apr 6, 2013
Electrical System

REAR WINDOW WIPER POWER DOOR LOCKS GEAR SHIFTER ALL WENT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507335

132,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat BeltsInjury

WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON AR HWY 9 A FEW MILES SOUTH OF MALVERN, ARKANSAS WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY SON IN THE SECOND ROW DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, A LOUD BANG OCCURRED. IN THE NEXT MOMENTS I REALIZED THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, A SMELL LIKE FIREWORKS BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT…

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WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON AR HWY 9 A FEW MILES SOUTH OF MALVERN, ARKANSAS WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND MY SON IN THE SECOND ROW DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, A LOUD BANG OCCURRED. IN THE NEXT MOMENTS I REALIZED THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, A SMELL LIKE FIREWORKS BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR WAS DESTROYED AND HANGING DOWN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AT AN ANGLE. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STAY IN MY LANE OF THE TWO-LANE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DOWN. AFTER SHORTLY REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED, I LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO PULL OVER, DID SO, AND TOOK MY POCKET KNIFE AND CUT AWAY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE SIDE WINDOWS AND CONTINUE OUR TRIP NORTH. I FOUND THE DRIVER'S VISOR VANITY MIRROR HAD SHATTERED IN PIECES IN MY LAP AND ON THE FLOOR, ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS FROM THE VISOR WHICH NOW HUNG DOWN AT A STEEP ANGLE. BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE DAMAGED, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UPPER ANCHOR WOULD NO LONGER STAY LOCKED IN POSITION, SAGGING TO ITS LOWEST POSITION BY GRAVITY. LATER THAT DAY I DISCOVERED THAT THE MAP LIGHTS AND PASSENGER SIDE VISOR VANITY MIRROR LIGHT NO LONGER WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER NEAR WHERE I WAS STAYING, WHO TOLD ME THAT IT (AIR BAG SYSTEM) WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY HOMETOWN DEALER TO FURTHER RESOLVE THE ISSUE, AND ALSO INSTIGATED A CASE WITH THE LINCOLN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467986

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

1

DP05005 · 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.