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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
54,000 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE OPENING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD SHOCK ABSORBERS WOULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE OPENING THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD SHOCK ABSORBERS WOULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54000. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/24/10. 8JB

NHTSA ODI #10340927

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2010
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

DRIVER POWER SEAT, PEDAL ADJUSTMENT AND MIRROR/FOLDING MIRRORS NOT WORKING DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. WIRING HARNESS MELTS DOWN TO FUSE BOX. UNABLE TO REPAIR WIRING BUT TO REPLACE COMPLETE WIRING SYSTEM TO FUSE BOX . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340473

63,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE FRONT STRUTS BROKE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL DOWN, ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND. THERE WAS BARELY ANY SUSPENSION WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP; THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE FRONT STRUTS BROKE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE FELL DOWN, ALMOST TOUCHING THE GROUND. THERE WAS BARELY ANY SUSPENSION WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP; THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY'S ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 10/28/10 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY FORD, IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY INCREASED THEIR WAREHOUSE SUPPLY IN ARIZONA T MEET THE DEMAND. UPDATED 11/01/10

NHTSA ODI #10326870

86,000 miles · Mar 6, 2010
Exterior Lighting

HID HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I HAVE 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AND WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE LEFT HID ASSEMBLY BUT THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A RECALL. I AM SINCE OUT OF THE WARRANTY AND THE RH ASSEMBLY WENT OUT. NOW MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY TO YEARS 2003 IN THE NAVIGATOR…

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HID HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I HAVE 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AND WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE LEFT HID ASSEMBLY BUT THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A RECALL. I AM SINCE OUT OF THE WARRANTY AND THE RH ASSEMBLY WENT OUT. NOW MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY TO YEARS 2003 IN THE NAVIGATOR, BUT TO 2006 IN THE EXPEDITION. THE ASSEMBLY IS THE SAME AS THE 2003 NAVIGATOR BUT THE "2004" IS NOT COVERED. WHY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317306

68,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Air BagsSuspension

I OWN A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN IT GETS COLD THE SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN ON THE TIRES. RIPPING THEM FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, IT DESTROYS THE TIRES AND COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I …

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I OWN A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SUSPENSION SYSTEM SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE. WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN IT GETS COLD THE SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN ON THE TIRES. RIPPING THEM FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, IT DESTROYS THE TIRES AND COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES MANY TIMES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THIS WINTER ALONE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEASE 6 OR 7 TIMES. THIS SYSTEM IS NO LONGER IN USE ON THE NEW NAVIGATORS. FORD HAS ISSUED NO RECALLS AND WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. THEY SAID UNLESS THEY ARE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THIS BY THE NHTSA , I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WHICH IS CLEARLY A MFG PROBLEM. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO OWNS A NAVIGATOR WITH THIS SYSTEM HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THEM. MINE IS PAID FOR AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313902

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2010
Electrical System

FAULTY WIRING THAT GOES FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO THE FUSE BOX. ALL THE ELECTRICAL STUFF QUIT WORKING IN ONE MOMENT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT THE MECHANICS SAID THAT THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313482

99,243 miles · Feb 20, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

LOST OF REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE LACK OF A BRAKING SYSTEM WHERE WEAR INDICATORS (SENSORS OR LIGHT INDICATORS) WERE LEFT OFF MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. NO SENSORS ON THE OUTER REAR AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER FOR ME AND MY WIFE IF I WAS TRAVEL HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A ROAD TRIP AND THE BR…

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LOST OF REAR BRAKES DUE TO THE LACK OF A BRAKING SYSTEM WHERE WEAR INDICATORS (SENSORS OR LIGHT INDICATORS) WERE LEFT OFF MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. NO SENSORS ON THE OUTER REAR AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER FOR ME AND MY WIFE IF I WAS TRAVEL HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A ROAD TRIP AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE OR WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312383

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2010
Suspension

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 04' HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AIR SUSPENSION WHEN IN COLD WEATHER UNDER 30 DEGREES. FRONT FENDER TOUCHING TIRES. THE SUSPENSION WON'T WORK AT ALL. AIR COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, ONE OF THE SENSORS & A VALVE. SPENT OVER $1000 ON IT TRYING TO REPAIR AND NOTHING FIXES THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES…

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LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 04' HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AIR SUSPENSION WHEN IN COLD WEATHER UNDER 30 DEGREES. FRONT FENDER TOUCHING TIRES. THE SUSPENSION WON'T WORK AT ALL. AIR COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, ONE OF THE SENSORS & A VALVE. SPENT OVER $1000 ON IT TRYING TO REPAIR AND NOTHING FIXES THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES ALREADY AND THE DEALER DOESN'T FIND THE ISSUE AS THE COMPUTER DOES NOT GIVE A CODE ERROR MESSAGE. THIS IS NOT A RELIABLE CAR. HOW CAN A CAR'S AIR SUSPENSION WORK ON THE WARM WEATHER AND NOT ON THE COLD?WAS LINCOLN THINKING ABOUT THIS WHEN MAKING THIS CAR? I HAVE READ ONLINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS UP NORTH AND QUITE A FEW ON THE CITY I LIVE IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300159

89,000 miles · Jan 17, 2010
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE SIDE AIRBAG CURTAINS IN OUR 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIAGNOSTICS RAN ON IT SHOWED THAT WE HAD A COLLISION THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE A…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE SIDE AIRBAG CURTAINS IN OUR 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIAGNOSTICS RAN ON IT SHOWED THAT WE HAD A COLLISION THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO TYPE OF COLLISION TO HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT WE HIT SOMETHING AND CHOOSES NOT TO REPAIR IT. INSTEAD, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT; $6,000.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300088

99,000 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH 99,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2009 FOR AN INTERMITTENT BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE PROBLEM. I HAVE JUST BEGUN TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MY TRUCK. IF I LIGHTLY BRAKE NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK BUT IF I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR THEY ALL THREE CO…

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I HAVE A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH 99,000 MILES ON IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2009 FOR AN INTERMITTENT BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE PROBLEM. I HAVE JUST BEGUN TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MY TRUCK. IF I LIGHTLY BRAKE NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK BUT IF I PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR THEY ALL THREE COME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276290

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.