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2003 Lincoln Town Car

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Town Car years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car are substantially higher than the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 41 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 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports0 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

201 reports
88,079 miles · Dec 21, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE FRONT AND REAR BEARING RODS AND AXLE WERE DESTROYED WHEN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2008 BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PINION BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V328000 IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, H…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE FRONT AND REAR BEARING RODS AND AXLE WERE DESTROYED WHEN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2008 BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PINION BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V328000 IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,079.

NHTSA ODI #10296550

68,000 miles · Nov 25, 2009
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE METAL PIECE THAT SECURES THE STEERING COLUMN CAME APART. THIS PART WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING THE COLUMN TO ROTATE IN A CIRCULAR MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE METAL PIECE WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. HE THEN PURCHASED P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE METAL PIECE THAT SECURES THE STEERING COLUMN CAME APART. THIS PART WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING THE COLUMN TO ROTATE IN A CIRCULAR MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE METAL PIECE WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. HE THEN PURCHASED PARTS AND MODIFIED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10293543

36,338 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Suspension

2003 LINCOLN TC RECENTLY NEEDED REPAIRS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REAR AXLE & BEARINGS. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY RECALL, 04V328000 (FORD-04S16). FOUND 44 COMPLAINTS IN YOUR SYSTEM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY DID THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES SUCH AS MINE. ARE NOT THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRING? ARE NOT THE SA…

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2003 LINCOLN TC RECENTLY NEEDED REPAIRS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REAR AXLE & BEARINGS. ADVISED BY DEALER THAT REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY RECALL, 04V328000 (FORD-04S16). FOUND 44 COMPLAINTS IN YOUR SYSTEM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY DID THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES SUCH AS MINE. ARE NOT THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRING? ARE NOT THE SAME SAFETY ISSUES AT RISK? MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES & IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION SO I DO NOT FEEL WEAR & TEAR IS THE ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289016

64,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE LEAKING. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 04V328000, REAR SUSPENSION; HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED HE IS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE LEAKING. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 04V328000, REAR SUSPENSION; HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED HE IS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL BEARING WAS NOTICED DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE VISIT. UPDATED 10/22/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10285646

45,000 miles · Sep 25, 2009
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR .THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SRS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR .THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SRS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10285224

84,687 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TWO REAR AXLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84687.

NHTSA ODI #10281809

54,250 miles · Aug 11, 2009
Power TrainSuspension

2003 TOWN CAR ON AUG. 3, 2009 THE CAR LOST DRIVE FUNCTION ON INTERSTATE. THE REPAIR WAS A NEW DRIVE AXLE FROM THE FORD DEALER. ON AUG. 8, THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN WE LOST DRIVE FUNCTION AND THE REAR AXLE IS BROKEN. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE FORD RECALL NO. 04S16 OR 04V328000 AND HE EXPLAINED THAT THE VIN NO. DID NOT A…

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2003 TOWN CAR ON AUG. 3, 2009 THE CAR LOST DRIVE FUNCTION ON INTERSTATE. THE REPAIR WAS A NEW DRIVE AXLE FROM THE FORD DEALER. ON AUG. 8, THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN WE LOST DRIVE FUNCTION AND THE REAR AXLE IS BROKEN. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE FORD RECALL NO. 04S16 OR 04V328000 AND HE EXPLAINED THAT THE VIN NO. DID NOT APPLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280110

69,000 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE REAR WHEELS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE REAR WHEELS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING HAD DISINTEGRATED AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE SEVERELY COMPROMISED, TO THE POINT THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED WITHIN THE NEXT 1,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH AXLES AND THE WHEEL BEARING. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000, PE04010 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04010 (COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 8/28/09 *CN UPDATED09/03/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10278385

41,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CARTIER. THE REAR AXLES SUDDENLY BECAME WORN AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISE INDICATORS THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR TO HIM. A MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE BEARINGS AND AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR IS RELATED T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CARTIER. THE REAR AXLES SUDDENLY BECAME WORN AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISE INDICATORS THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR TO HIM. A MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE BEARINGS AND AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB THE REAR AXLES SHAFTS AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10266526

87,907 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT LINCOLN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT LINCOLN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,907. UPDATED 04/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10262167

Official recalls

1

04V328000 · Suspension:rear

Jul 7, 2004

CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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.

PE04010 · Rear Axle Fracture

Opened Jan 22, 2004 · Closed Jul 8, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft

THIS PE WAS OPENED AFTER ODI BECAME AWARE OF TWO ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING REAR AXLE FRACTURE AND PARTIAL WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVING MY 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTORS (CVPI).INITIALLY, THE PE'S SCOPE INVOLVED ALL MY 2003 GRAND MARQUIS, CROWN VICTORIA, AND LINCOLN TOWN CARS (I.E., PANTHER PLATFORM) PRODUCED THROUGH JANUARY 2003.WHILE GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONFINED TO LONG-WHEELBASE LINCOLN TOWN CARS AND THE CVPI'S DUE TO THEIR UNIQUE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND USAGE PROFILES.FORD'S RECALL ADDRESSES THESE VEHICLES.BOTH THE COMPANY AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF THE AXLES AND WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AS REQUIRED.

EA03014 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Aug 22, 2003 · Closed Aug 12, 2004

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

THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 182 REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT OR NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.THE DATA EXAMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION SUGGEST THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG CRASH SENSING SYSTEM'S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH INCIDENTS AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.ODI HAS NOT, HOWEVER, IDENTIFIED ANY FAILED COMPONENT THAT RELATES TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALSO, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY TREND IN THE MANUFACTURE DATES OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES THAT MAY INDICATE A COMPONENT OR VEHICLE-MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.

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.