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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
9,003 miles · Apr 25, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

2004 FORD NAVIGATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE CARPORT.*MR PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER READ AND ARTICLE ABOUT FIRE OCCURRING IN LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DUE TO FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER HE HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. TWO WEEK LATER THE CONSUMER'S HOME AND V…

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2004 FORD NAVIGATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE CARPORT.*MR PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER READ AND ARTICLE ABOUT FIRE OCCURRING IN LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DUE TO FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER HE HAD NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. TWO WEEK LATER THE CONSUMER'S HOME AND VEHICLE WERE DESTROY BY A FIRE WHICH STARTED IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10119136

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2005
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER WENT TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL PARKED, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE IN THE AREA OF THE SEAT BELT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS OF SMELLING SMOKE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A THICK STACK OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS…

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THE CONSUMER WENT TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL PARKED, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE IN THE AREA OF THE SEAT BELT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS OF SMELLING SMOKE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A THICK STACK OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRE THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE BUT SAW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF SMOKE OR FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT A MODULE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT AREA HAD BURNED AND DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE SHORT CIRCUITED THUS KILLING THE BATTERY SUPPLY. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10116997

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2005
Structure

CONSUMER DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR HIGHER THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CONDITION WAS NORMAL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10110963

8,000 miles · Dec 30, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WAS PURCHASED AUGUST 30TH 2004, ON ITS FIRST DRIVE HUSTON FROM DALLAS, THE ROTORS HEATED AND WARPED RESULTING IN SERIOUS SHIMMING ISSUES, THIS WAS FIXED BY MACHINING THE ROTORS. SECOND TRIP TO VERMONT DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS FROM DALLAS, ROOTORS WARPPED AGAIN AND THE NAVIGATOR WAS SHIMMING SERIOUSLY, GE…

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2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WAS PURCHASED AUGUST 30TH 2004, ON ITS FIRST DRIVE HUSTON FROM DALLAS, THE ROTORS HEATED AND WARPED RESULTING IN SERIOUS SHIMMING ISSUES, THIS WAS FIXED BY MACHINING THE ROTORS. SECOND TRIP TO VERMONT DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS FROM DALLAS, ROOTORS WARPPED AGAIN AND THE NAVIGATOR WAS SHIMMING SERIOUSLY, GETTING ME AND MY FAMILY NERVOUS THROUGHOUT THE 3300 MILE ROUND TRIP TO EAST COAST, DRIVING ON ICY ROADS AND THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. DEALERSHIP SIMPLY MACHINED THE ROTORS AGAIN, THEY ADMIT THAT OTHER 2004 MODELS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE ROTORS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS BAD ROTOR BATCH THAT NEEDS TO FIXED BEFORE FAMILY ARE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10104779

820 miles · Dec 27, 2004
Electrical System

THE 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGTOR THAT WE PURCHASED HAS SUFFERED NUMEROUS BATTERY FAILURES LEADING TO VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AT FIRST, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR AND OVER A WEEK WITH THE DEALER, AN IMPROPERLY DEALER INSTALLED DVD PLAYER WAS THE CAUSE. HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT PR…

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THE 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGTOR THAT WE PURCHASED HAS SUFFERED NUMEROUS BATTERY FAILURES LEADING TO VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AT FIRST, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR AND OVER A WEEK WITH THE DEALER, AN IMPROPERLY DEALER INSTALLED DVD PLAYER WAS THE CAUSE. HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT PROBLEM WAS "FIXED" THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED. SPECIFICALLY, THE SCREEN WOULD "GREY" OUT NOT ALLOWING ANY INPUT INTO THE SYSTEM. AFTER 10-13 MINUTES, THE OPTIONS WOULD APPEAR FOR A FEW SECTIONS AND THEN "GREY" OUT AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10104597

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Air BagsCrash

CAR INVOLVED IN HIGH SPEED CRASH WITH STATIONARY OBJECT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR REPAIRS EXCEED 24000.00 INCLUDING FRAME WAS A DIRECT HIT DEAD CENTER OF VEHICLE BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102551

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103310

5,850 miles · Nov 16, 2004
Seats

2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. DRIVER SEAT ELECTRIC MOTOR POSITIONING FAILURE. FAILED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE IN MAY, 2004. SEAT MOTOR REPAIRED/REPLACED BY DEALER. SEAT POSITION STUCK ON ONE SIDE AND MOVES ON OTHER. RESULTS IN TORQUING OF FRAME WHERE IT IS BOLTED/SECURED TO FLOOR/FRAME OF VEHICLE WHEN SEAT IS ACTIVATED. …

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2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. DRIVER SEAT ELECTRIC MOTOR POSITIONING FAILURE. FAILED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE IN MAY, 2004. SEAT MOTOR REPAIRED/REPLACED BY DEALER. SEAT POSITION STUCK ON ONE SIDE AND MOVES ON OTHER. RESULTS IN TORQUING OF FRAME WHERE IT IS BOLTED/SECURED TO FLOOR/FRAME OF VEHICLE WHEN SEAT IS ACTIVATED. SEAT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES WITH INSERTION OF KEY. BODY POSITION WHEN SEATED IS NOT SQUARE WITH DRIVING DIRECTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098913

500 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Equipment

THE RUNNING BOARD INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO COME OUT PROPERLY WHEN EITHER DOOR WAS USED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092364

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHENEVER I DROVE OVER A BUMP OR WHILE TURNING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A LUBRICATION PROBLEM. THEY LUBRICATED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK 2 DAYS LATER. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIGORO…

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WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHENEVER I DROVE OVER A BUMP OR WHILE TURNING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A LUBRICATION PROBLEM. THEY LUBRICATED THE STEERING SHAFT. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK 2 DAYS LATER. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIGOROUSLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SANDED THE ROTORS TO FIX THE SHAKING PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE VIBRATION WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10091045

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.