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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
135,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Suspension

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 04S16 MY CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR AND WHEN CHECKED THERE WAS SOME OIL LEAKAGE ON THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A RECALL AND WAS ASKED TO CHECK THE MANUFACTURER O…

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NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 04S16 MY CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR AND WHEN CHECKED THERE WAS SOME OIL LEAKAGE ON THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A RECALL AND WAS ASKED TO CHECK THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER IF MY CAR IS PART OF SAFETY RECALL. FORD REPRESENTATIVE KEPT SAYING THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS EXACT ISSUE AS REPORTED VIA NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 / FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 04S16. ALSO, MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 10/02, IN THE SAME TIME FRAME MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. FOR KNOWN ISSUES DURING MANUFACTURING, I AM EXPOSED TO LIFE THREATENING RISK. WHY IS FORD NOT RECALLING ALL CARS DURING THE TIME FRAME AND ALSO NHTSA IS NOT MAKING FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS MISTAKE ? I KINDLY REQUEST NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS RECALL AND INCLUDE PERSONAL OWNED VEHICLES TOO IN IT - TO MAKE IT A JUSTIFIED RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630232

204,580 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Steering

CONSIDER INCLUDING TOWN CARS IN THE LATEST FORD CROWN VIC, MERC GRAN MARQUIS, MARAUDER 500K CAR STEERING ISSUE. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL ON MY 2003 TOWN CAR ONE MONTH AGO, I FOUND A HEAT SHIELD FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LAYING PARALLEL TO AND ON THE STEERING SHAFT STUCK BETWEEN THE SHAFT AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM SUPPORT AND VEHIC…

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CONSIDER INCLUDING TOWN CARS IN THE LATEST FORD CROWN VIC, MERC GRAN MARQUIS, MARAUDER 500K CAR STEERING ISSUE. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL ON MY 2003 TOWN CAR ONE MONTH AGO, I FOUND A HEAT SHIELD FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LAYING PARALLEL TO AND ON THE STEERING SHAFT STUCK BETWEEN THE SHAFT AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM SUPPORT AND VEHICLE FRAME. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE SHIELD AS WELL AS MOUNTING TABS ON THE SHIELD HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF. VERY SCARY TO SEE SINCE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT MIDWAY ON THE SHAFT COULD HAVE EASILY JAMMED ON THE SHIELD WHILE STEERING TO THE LEFT I.E. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL COUNTER CLOCKWISE. THE SHIELD WAS EASILY REMOVED FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT THE USE OF TOOLS. THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610080

106,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS, AND REAR AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS, AND REAR AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10597655

138,529 miles · May 22, 2014
Engine

MY LINCOLN HAS BLOWN #3 SPARK PLUG-WHEN I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH-TWICE WITHIN 18,000 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS-TOTAL REPAIR COST-OVER $1600-TOTAL AGGRAVATION COST-PRICELESS !! EACH TIME THE PLUG BLOWS-THE MECHANIC "FIXES" IT-AND WE ARE TOLD-THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX-AND IT WILL PROBABLY BLOW AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED BY THIS PROB…

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MY LINCOLN HAS BLOWN #3 SPARK PLUG-WHEN I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH-TWICE WITHIN 18,000 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS-TOTAL REPAIR COST-OVER $1600-TOTAL AGGRAVATION COST-PRICELESS !! EACH TIME THE PLUG BLOWS-THE MECHANIC "FIXES" IT-AND WE ARE TOLD-THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX-AND IT WILL PROBABLY BLOW AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED BY THIS PROBLEM-IN A LITTLE ONE-HORSE TOWN-WITH NO MECHANIC ON DUTY FOR 2 DAYS-SO, YOU CAN ADD THE HOTEL BILL AS WELL AS THE TOW CHARGE TO THAT ABOVE STATED AMOUNT. UPON RESEARCH-WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD PRODUCTS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1996-NOT ONLY LINCOLNS-BUT, MERCURYS-TRUCKS-ETC. WHAT THE HECK-CAN'T SOMEONE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NUTS. THIS IS MY LAST FORD-CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE OUR FRUSTRATION-WE LOVE OUR LINCOLN-IT WAS MY HUSBANDS' RETIREMENT PRESENT-WHAT A TOTAL OUTRAGE-THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE-YOU KNOW WHAT-THREE STRIKES-YOU'RE OUT !! SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING-. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593523

135,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Power Train

WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES AND DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AT 30-35 MPH TOLD BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564070

60,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10549951

220,000 miles · Oct 22, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, PRODUCING A STIFF BINDING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS COR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, PRODUCING A STIFF BINDING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220000. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, HIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 11/13/13

NHTSA ODI #10548907

149,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Suspension

I NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND AFTER CHECKING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS THE REAR AXLE LEAKING. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE IT WAS A DEFECT AND SOMETIMES THE WHEEL WOULD EVEN FALL OFF. I CHECKED WITH THE LINCOLN WEB SITE AND MAGICALLY MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPL…

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I NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND AFTER CHECKING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS THE REAR AXLE LEAKING. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE IT WAS A DEFECT AND SOMETIMES THE WHEEL WOULD EVEN FALL OFF. I CHECKED WITH THE LINCOLN WEB SITE AND MAGICALLY MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE "OUTSIDE" OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE EXPAND THE RECALL. I HAVE OWNED 17 CARS THROUGH THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. I HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE! IF AFTER 100 YEARS OF BUILDING CARS FORD CANNOT GET THE WHEELS TO STAY ON, AND DOES NOT THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM, WELL I GUESS THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521352

96,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SEALS AND AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND REFE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SEALS AND AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516244

100,000 miles · May 12, 2013
Engine

MY VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND THUS HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A CRACKED ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE RUINING THE CYLINDERS, SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION COILS, OIL, OIL FILTER AND FUSE BOX. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO ME THAT BECAUSE THESE MANIFOLDS ARE NOW PLASTIC…

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MY VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND THUS HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A CRACKED ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE RUINING THE CYLINDERS, SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION COILS, OIL, OIL FILTER AND FUSE BOX. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO ME THAT BECAUSE THESE MANIFOLDS ARE NOW PLASTIC AND NO LONGER METAL, THEY ARE PRONE TO BREAKING. THE TOTAL OF THE REPAIRS CAME TO OVER $2000. UPON SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT I WAS NOT ALONE IN THIS FIASCO. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED BACK IN 2004-05 AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT I DID "NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE MY LINCOLN WAS NOT A FLEET VEHICLE" SEEMS TO BE FORD'S GO TO EXCUSE WHEN MASS AMOUNTS OF THEIR CARS (TOWN CAR, CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS) ARE RECALLED. RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION HELP FROM FORD OR THE LAWSUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511585

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.