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1999 Lincoln Town Car

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Lincoln Town Car do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 71 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports7 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

13 reports
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200 miles · Jun 20, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringStructure

TAKATA RECALL: STEERING WHEEL HAS SMOKED BEFORE LIGHTLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE STAYED ON,STEERING WHEEL HAS DONE A 360 TURN,CORROSION ON THE SIDE PANEL AND PANEL(CHROME) HAS FALLEN OFF. I'M NOT SURE HOW LATE A RECALL TIME FRAME IS BUT MY CAR HAPPENS TO BE VERY OLD NOW SO I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS THE CASE I HAVE PICTURES FROM WHAT…

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TAKATA RECALL: STEERING WHEEL HAS SMOKED BEFORE LIGHTLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE STAYED ON,STEERING WHEEL HAS DONE A 360 TURN,CORROSION ON THE SIDE PANEL AND PANEL(CHROME) HAS FALLEN OFF. I'M NOT SURE HOW LATE A RECALL TIME FRAME IS BUT MY CAR HAPPENS TO BE VERY OLD NOW SO I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS THE CASE I HAVE PICTURES FROM WHAT THE CAR LOOKED LIKE AND UP TO NOW ALSO MY CAR IS NOW AT 366.'- MILES SO THIS MAY NOT EVEN BE SOMETHING TO BE TURNED IN, THIS STATE HAS ALSO DONE SO MUCH DAMAGE FROM THE POTHOLES..

NHTSA ODI #11221391

71,932 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH 71,932 MILES SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUGHT FIRE TEN MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED IN AN ATTACHED GARAGE. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE HOME TO BECOME STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED DUE TO FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS SECOND OWNER IN 2003 UNTIL PRESENT TIME. NO RECALLS NOTICES WERE EVER RECEIVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560431

220 miles · Sep 2, 2013
Electrical SystemSteeringFire

I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN I NOTICED THE INSIDE OF MY CAR STARTED SPARKING NEAR THE DASHBOARD THEN A FEW MINS LATER MY WHEEL LOCKED UP I COULDN'T TURN AND ALMOST CRASHED. I PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP . ALSO HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE BEARING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD…

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I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL WHEN I NOTICED THE INSIDE OF MY CAR STARTED SPARKING NEAR THE DASHBOARD THEN A FEW MINS LATER MY WHEEL LOCKED UP I COULDN'T TURN AND ALMOST CRASHED. I PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP . ALSO HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE BEARING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IS ALSO SPARKING WHEN I START THE CAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538440

161,000 miles · Jul 4, 2013
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspensionCrash

2 OCCASIONS WHERE BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND FELL TO GROUND .WHILE MY CHILD WAS INSIDE . MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS: ODOMETER FLASHES CONSTANTLY AND GAS GAGE WACKED OUT EVER SINCE VEHICLE FELL TO GROUND EVERY THING WAS WORKING PROPERLY BEFORE AND ON THE FIRST INCIDENT IS WHEN IT STARTED AND CONTINUES TO…

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2 OCCASIONS WHERE BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND FELL TO GROUND .WHILE MY CHILD WAS INSIDE . MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS: ODOMETER FLASHES CONSTANTLY AND GAS GAGE WACKED OUT EVER SINCE VEHICLE FELL TO GROUND EVERY THING WAS WORKING PROPERLY BEFORE AND ON THE FIRST INCIDENT IS WHEN IT STARTED AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. SUSPENSION AND STEERING : ALSO SINCE CAR FELL TO GROUND HAS CAUSE STEERING AND SUSPENSION TO BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE . I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS RIP ME OFF AND HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON TRYING TO GET VEHICLE BACK TO THE WAY A LINCOLN SHOULD DRIVE . AND STILL THE RESULTS ARE NOT GOOD. I CANT DRIVE ON EXPRESS WAYS BECAUSE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL AND STAY IN LANES .AS WELL ON SIDE STREETS/MAIN ROADS . IT ALSO HAS A VERY HIGH TENDENCY TO LOOSE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING OVER A SMALL , MEDIUM OR LARGE BUMP, DIV-IT OR CRACK IN ROAD WHICH COULD OR WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A CRASH. BY ALL MEANS I LOVE MY 1999 LINCOLN BUT CERTAINLY DOES NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE PROPERLY LIKE ONE SHOULD .I DO ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT ITS A 13 YEAR OLD CAR AND THINGS WILL GO WRONG BUT AFTER DO MY RESEARCH AND BEING THAT I AM NAIVE AND VERY UNEDUCATED WITH MECHANICS ON A VEHICLE I SIMPLY LET THIS PASS FOR SOMETIME NOW TO REALIZE THESE RE OCCURRING INCIDENTS ARE NOT NORMAL AND HERE I AM NOW MY RESULTS ARE A DAMAGED CAR WITH RECALL SUPPORTED AND THOUSANDS OF MY HARD INCOME TO REPLACE PARTS ON CAR TO GET BACK TO PROPER WORKING ORDER . SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE OR IF POSSIBLE BE SETTLED IN THE MIDDLE/HALFWAY WHICH WOULD BE FAIR. I HOPE I CAN BE A TRUE FORD LINCOLN SUPPORTER/BUYER FOR EVER AND DON'T WANT TO BE DISAPPOINTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523155

55,000 miles · May 24, 2007
Electrical System

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON LINCOLN TOWNCAR 1999, HAD TO BE TOWED FROM HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10191612

74,045 miles · Mar 5, 2007
Air BagsElectrical System

1. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 90 MINUTES. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE VEHICLE AND AT THE MOMENT I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SIDE, SEAT/WINDOW SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, NOT IN DRIVE GEAR AND WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE HAD BEEN NO WAR…

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1. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 90 MINUTES. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE VEHICLE AND AT THE MOMENT I TURNED THE KEY THE DRIVER SIDE, SEAT/WINDOW SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION, NOT IN DRIVE GEAR AND WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING LIGHTS STAYING ON INDICATING A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. 2. THE SIDE AIR BAG STRUCK MY LEFT SHOULDER AND UPPER BACK. IT WAS PAINFUL, BUT DID NOT INJURE ME. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED SO I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO MY HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. 3. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT FOUR WIRES IN THE MAIN WARNING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT WERE DAMAGED, HAD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT. THEY SAID ALL WARRANTIES WERE EXPIRED AND THERE WERE NO EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THE VEHICLE AND IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. ADDITIONALLY, THE WARNING HARNESS( PART # XW1Z14A005AA) IS NO LONGER MADE AND NOT IN STOCK AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $3,500.00 PARTS AND LABOR. IF THEY REPAIRED THE WIRING HARNESS, I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A RELEASE OF LIABILITY STATING IF THE REPAIRED AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED TO DEPLOY OR DEPLOYED WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BECAUSE THE WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT REPLACED THE DEALER WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS CENTER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM OR RECALLS OF THIS NATURE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT REPAIR WOULD BY AT MY EXPENSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184247

49,500 miles · Sep 8, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

AS THE CAR NEARED THE END OF ITS WARRANTY, I HAD SEVERAL FAILURES. THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AT 45000 MI., TWO COIL PACKS FAILED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL FAILURE AND IT JUST LOST ALL POWER. I BARELY GOT IT TO PULL BY HOLDING IT IN LOW GEAR. IT WOULD BARELY MOVE BUT I GOT IT TO A PARKI…

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AS THE CAR NEARED THE END OF ITS WARRANTY, I HAD SEVERAL FAILURES. THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AT 45000 MI., TWO COIL PACKS FAILED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL FAILURE AND IT JUST LOST ALL POWER. I BARELY GOT IT TO PULL BY HOLDING IT IN LOW GEAR. IT WOULD BARELY MOVE BUT I GOT IT TO A PARKING LOT AND LEFT IT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. WHEN I RETURNED IT STARTED UP AND DROVE JUST FINE. I TOOK IT TO THE LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ABOUT A WEEK LATER MY WIFE STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR (COLD) AND ALMOST GOT RUN OVER TRYING TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS WALKING ONE BLOCK UP THE STREET AND SHE PULLED IN AND ASKED ME TO LOOK AT THE CAR. IT WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH JUST AS BEFORE SO I TOLD HER TO TAKE IT BACK HOME AND PARK IT AND TAKE THE OTHER CAR. SHE DID THIS, LOCKED IT AND LEFT. IT HAD ONLY RUN ABOUT 4 OR 5 MINUTES. AS I WALKED AROUND THE BLOCK I HEARD A CAR ALARM GOING OFF AND AS I APPROACHED MY HOUSE I SAW THE CAR ON FIRE SITTING JUST OUTSIDE THE GARAGE, LUCKILY I CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND THEY CAME AND PUT IT OUT BUT IT WAS DESTROYED. THE CAR WAS MAYBE ONE MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY SO I CALLED THE DEALER, THE REGIONAL FORD REP AND A RETIRED FORD REP I KNOW. AND NONE OF THEM WOULD TALK TO ME, RETURN PHONE CALLS( IN THE CASE OF THE REGIONAL FORD REP) I CALLED DETROIT TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF FORD AND A LAWYER TOLD ME IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND TO FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. HE WOULD NOT EVEN SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT IT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OFF AND I TRIED TO GET THEM TO INVESTIGATE TO FIND THE PROBLEM BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID. THE FIRE WAS OBVIOUSLY ELECTRICAL BUT I DON'T KNOW MORE. THE CAR WAS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR SO THE PRESENT RECALL DOESN'T COVER ENOUGH CARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135845

125,000 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Electrical System

CONSUMER HAS A LIMOUSINE WHICH IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROLLED ALL THE LIGHTING AND AIR CONDITIONING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS UPGRADED. THE CONNECTOR HEATED UP WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIAL FIRE. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092571

121,737 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Electrical System

HEATER WASN'T BLOWING HEAT. *PH THE DEALER REPLACED THE EATC MODULE AND THE BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10059412

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2003
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FUSE BOX WAS POSITIONED UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. THE FUSE BOX STARTED TO MELT DUE TO WATER FROM THE ROAD CONTACTING IT, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR SHOCKS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10020398

Official recalls

5

00V356000 · Tires

Dec 12, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE) WITH MICHELIN TIRES (225/70R16 107T REINFORCED WHITE SIDEWALL) WITH A SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER LOAD RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.

00V200000 · Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer

Jul 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.

00V157001 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Jun 12, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

00V157002 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Jun 12, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

98V322000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Dec 16, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

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

4

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.

PE03011 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Mar 14, 2003 · Closed Aug 22, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 173 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT OR NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2003 LINCOLN TOWN CARS.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT MY 2001 THROUGH EARLY MY 2003 TOWN CARS HAVE MUCH HIGHER COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES (138 COMPLAINTS AND 120 WARRANTY CLAIMS) THAN THE REMAINING VEHICLES (35 COMPLAINTS AND 32 WARRANTY CLAIMS).FORD CHANGED ITS SUPPLIER OF THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS FOR THE MY 2001 TOWN CARS.FORD STATES THAT THE ALGORITHM IN THE MY 2001 TOWN CARS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR'S DESIGN, AND THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMPROVED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN MODERATE SPEED SIDE POLE IMPACTS.IN DECEMBER 2002 (I.E., EARLY MY 2003 VEHICLE PRODUCTION), THE CRASH SENSORS WERE MOVED FROM THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE TO NEAR THE BASE OF B-PILLARS IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE INCIDENTS OF INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-014) FOR MY 2001-2003 TOWN CARS BUILT BEFORE DECEMBER 2002.

DP02007 · FUEL-FED Fires

Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 4, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.

SQ01014 · Post Rear End Collision Fires

Opened Nov 27, 2001 · Closed Oct 3, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

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