NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
201 reports80,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP AFTER HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP AFTER HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10418354
160,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE BROKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE BROKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE RECALL WAS ONLY FOR FLEET VEHICLES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410019
70,978 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Structure
MANUFACTURING / DESIGN DEFECT IN VEHICLE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAUSING PANEL TO FAIL AND INSIDE DOOR LATCH HANDLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVER BEING UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. DRIVER IS TRAPPED AND IN DANGER IN AN EMERGENCY. COMPANY NO LONGER PRODUCES REPLACEMENT PARTS OR REPAIR PARTS. THIS DESIGN CONT…
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MANUFACTURING / DESIGN DEFECT IN VEHICLE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAUSING PANEL TO FAIL AND INSIDE DOOR LATCH HANDLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVER BEING UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. DRIVER IS TRAPPED AND IN DANGER IN AN EMERGENCY. COMPANY NO LONGER PRODUCES REPLACEMENT PARTS OR REPAIR PARTS. THIS DESIGN CONTINUES IN CURRENT MODELS AND WILL MULTIPLY EXPOSURE AS VEHICLES AGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407714
142,692 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD FEEL VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR END WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND NOTICED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE VERY LOOSE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD FEEL VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR END WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND NOTICED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE VERY LOOSE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,692.
NHTSA ODI #10405846
104,400 miles · May 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO SOUTH DAKOTA AND STARTED UP THE FIRST FOOTHILL OF THE OZARK MOUNTAINS ABOUT 35 MILES WEST OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS ON US 63. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD JUST STARTED TO INCREASE THE ENGINE RPMS WHEN I HEARD A BANG FOLLOWED BY WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A BELT OR SOMETHING THUMPING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD. FORT…
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I WAS DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO SOUTH DAKOTA AND STARTED UP THE FIRST FOOTHILL OF THE OZARK MOUNTAINS ABOUT 35 MILES WEST OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS ON US 63. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD JUST STARTED TO INCREASE THE ENGINE RPMS WHEN I HEARD A BANG FOLLOWED BY WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A BELT OR SOMETHING THUMPING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS THE 2ND ENTRANCE TO A REST STOP ON US 63 IMMEDIATELY TO MY LEFT AND I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT. US 63 IS A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH AN OCCASIONAL PASSING LANE ON SOME HILLS. IT WAS ALSO FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED AT THAT POINT OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS POSITION WITH LITTLE ROOM TO GET SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE NARROW SHOULDERS AND ROCK CUTS RIGHT UP TO THE ROAD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE IN THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS THEN I FOUND SOMETHING EXPLODING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I COULD SMELL A LOT OF GAS AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED AAA AND WAS CARRIED BACK TO JONESBORO ON A FLATBED ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER. I WENT TO CAVENAUGH FORD THE NEXT MORNING AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF THE #3 CYLINDER. THE REPAIR WITH A FULL SET OF NEW PLUGS INSTALLED IN ADDITION TO THE BAD CYLINDER COST $629 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $190 FOR TOWING. ONE ADDITIONAL PLUG ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS ALSO LOOSE AND A POTENTIAL BLOWOUT. THESE PLUGS WERE FACTORY ORIGINAL AND HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE PLUGS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED IN AT THE FACTORY WHICH RESULTS IN LOOSENING OF THE THREADS IN THE HEAD OVER TIME FROM THE PERCUSSION IN EACH CYLINDER. THIS APPEARS TO HAPPEN QUITE OFTEN ON THE 4.6 AND 5.4 LITER ENGINES. I WAS LUCKY SINCE MANY FIRES HAVE ALSO OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THESE PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400802
35,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Suspension
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR WITH 35,000 MILES THAT EXHIBITED REAR AXLE NOISE. FORD REPLACED THE AXLES AND BEARINGS SITTING NO RECALL EXISTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393796
110,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train
HAD A PREMATURE AXLE FAILURE ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, ONLY 110K MILES. SAME YEAR, MODEL, BODY CODE, ASSEMBLY PLANT & PROBLEM AS ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS BUILT A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE GIVEN IN THE RECALL. …
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HAD A PREMATURE AXLE FAILURE ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, ONLY 110K MILES. SAME YEAR, MODEL, BODY CODE, ASSEMBLY PLANT & PROBLEM AS ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS BUILT A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE GIVEN IN THE RECALL. A LITTLE INTERNET RESEARCH WILL SHOW YOU THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT HERE THAT HAVE RECEIVED NO REMEDY FROM FORD TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THIS CAR I DISCOVERED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE THAT BROKE A FEW MONTHS AGO CREATING ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION HAS ALSO BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND IGNORED BY FORD & THE NHTSA. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, SOMEONE TO BE TRAPPED & DIE BECAUSE OF A BROKEN PIECE OF PLASTIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392546
25,000 miles · Jan 29, 2011
Steering
LOWER STEERING SHAFT IS BINDING AT 25,000 MILES I FIND THIS TO BE A DEFECT FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR. THIS DEFECT MAKES STEERING VERY HARD, LIKE HAVING LIMITED POWER STEERING, AND IT GRABS AND BINDS AS YOU TURN THE WHEEL. I REPLACED THE PART AT MY OWN EXPENSE, PART #5W1Z-3B676-AA AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. IT COST 168.0…
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LOWER STEERING SHAFT IS BINDING AT 25,000 MILES I FIND THIS TO BE A DEFECT FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR. THIS DEFECT MAKES STEERING VERY HARD, LIKE HAVING LIMITED POWER STEERING, AND IT GRABS AND BINDS AS YOU TURN THE WHEEL. I REPLACED THE PART AT MY OWN EXPENSE, PART #5W1Z-3B676-AA AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. IT COST 168.00 USD, WITH A DISCOUNT. THIS IS THE SECOND TOWN CAR I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS REPAIR TO. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10379539
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2010
Equipment
2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING MOLD SPORES IN LINCOLN VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR BOARD HAD STANDING DIRTY WATER. THEN CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE CARPET WAS WET. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AC UNIT. THE DEALER CLEANED THE AC DRAIN AND SAID A …
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2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING MOLD SPORES IN LINCOLN VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR BOARD HAD STANDING DIRTY WATER. THEN CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE CARPET WAS WET. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AC UNIT. THE DEALER CLEANED THE AC DRAIN AND SAID A GALLON OF WATER CAME OUT OF THE FLOOR PAN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND THE FRONT FLOOR PAD WAS SOAKED AND WATER WAS RUNNING FROM THE AC UNDER THE PAD AND POOLING IN THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE DASH IN ORDER TO GET TO THE AC UNIT AND IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS AT A COST OF $99 PER HOUR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10372787
117,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BEARINGS ON THE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED AS IT LEAKED OIL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BEARINGS ON THE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED AS IT LEAKED OIL FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 05/04/11
NHTSA ODI #10370385
NHTSA investigations
4DP05005 · 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.
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