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2004 Lincoln Town Car

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

66 reports with mileage · 17 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

83 reports
128,500 miles · Nov 11, 2013
Steering

STEERING STICKS AND VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO TURN. WILL WORK NORMALLY THEN WILL STICK BECOMING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THEN AS YOU TURN IT WILL STICK THEN RELEASE THEN STICK THEN RELEASE. SERPENTINE BELT IS IN NEW CONDITION. FILLED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AND NOT LEAKING. BELT IS NOT SLIPPING ON PULLEY WHEN OCCURRING. I A…

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STEERING STICKS AND VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO TURN. WILL WORK NORMALLY THEN WILL STICK BECOMING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THEN AS YOU TURN IT WILL STICK THEN RELEASE THEN STICK THEN RELEASE. SERPENTINE BELT IS IN NEW CONDITION. FILLED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AND NOT LEAKING. BELT IS NOT SLIPPING ON PULLEY WHEN OCCURRING. I AM BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR TODAY. MUSCATELLBURNS FORD HAWLEY MN 2184833356. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551747

82,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Visibility/wiperWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MISSING TWO LUG NUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MISSING TWO LUG NUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524864

77,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Steering

MARCH OF 2013 WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I NOTICE THE STEERING NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY, I DROVE CAREFULLY TO MY DESTINATION IN FLORIDA AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS THE STEERING RACK WHICH I HAD THEM REPLACE, CAR WAS RETURNED AND WHILE IT STILL WAS A BIT HARD TO STEER I FIGURED IT WAS A NEW PART AND HAD TO BR…

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MARCH OF 2013 WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I NOTICE THE STEERING NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY, I DROVE CAREFULLY TO MY DESTINATION IN FLORIDA AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS THE STEERING RACK WHICH I HAD THEM REPLACE, CAR WAS RETURNED AND WHILE IT STILL WAS A BIT HARD TO STEER I FIGURED IT WAS A NEW PART AND HAD TO BREAK IN, BACK HOME IN NEW YORK I CALLED THE DEALER IN FLORIDA WHO STATED THE PART WAS WARRENTIED FOR 12,000 MILES OR ONE YEAR AND I COULD TAKE IT TO ANY FORD DEALER AND IT WOULD BE HONORED, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND STATED IT WAS A FROZEN STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM GETTING CAR BACK IT STILL WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY, SO I WENT BACK YESTERDAY AND THEY HAD 2 SERVICE PEOPLE TEST DRIVE CAR, BOTH ACKNOWLEDGED THE CAR WONDERED AND STEERING DID NOT STRAIGHTENED OUT PROPERLY AFTER TURNING, STARTED TALKING ABOUT OTHER PARTS IT COULD BE, NOW WITH OVER TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS IN COST ALREADY I INSISTED IT THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS FINE AND A PLEASURE TO DRIVE BEFORE THE STEERING RACK WENT BAD THAT IT HAD TO BE THE RACK, THEY SEEMED UNCONCERNED AND STATED THAT IF THEY REPLACED THE RACK UNDER WARRANTY THAT WHEN THEY SENT THIS PART BACK TO FORD AND IF THEIR ENGINEER FOUND IT WAS NOT BAD THEY WOULD GET BILLED FOR THE NEW ONE, SO HERE WE ARE, A CAR THAT STEERS LIKE IT HAS NO POWER STEERING AND A DEALER WHO DON'T SEEM TO CARE, WHAT DO I DO NEXT EXCEPT WRITE TO YOU, *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522192

66,000 miles · Mar 20, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FIRE WALL UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FIRE WALL UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503821

41,000 miles · Aug 31, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #10473150

98,902 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Structure

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES DISLODGE FROM DOOR PANEL MECHANISM RENDERING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN TRAP PEOPLE INSIDE OF CAR. NO WAY TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469304

68,438 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Structure

THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STUCK OUT AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IF IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU COULD DIE. FORD DEALER TOLD ME TUFF LUCK, THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR. POOR DESIGN, POOR RESPONSE FROM FORD. IF THERE IS A FIRE OR ACCIDENT, YOU CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. FORD NE…

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THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STUCK OUT AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IF IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU COULD DIE. FORD DEALER TOLD ME TUFF LUCK, THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR. POOR DESIGN, POOR RESPONSE FROM FORD. IF THERE IS A FIRE OR ACCIDENT, YOU CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. FORD NEEDS ORDERS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM SO INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOT SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES FOR FORDS BOTTOM LINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463369

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE AND IS INTEGRAL TO THE DOOR PANEL. FORD DEALER SAYS THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND FORD HAS PROVIDED NO OTHER MEANS OF REPAIR. FORD PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBER: 4W1Z5423943EAA, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR H…

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DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE AND IS INTEGRAL TO THE DOOR PANEL. FORD DEALER SAYS THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND FORD HAS PROVIDED NO OTHER MEANS OF REPAIR. FORD PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBER: 4W1Z5423943EAA, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE USED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF A QUICK EXIT IS REQUIRED DURING A FIRE, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447752

100,000 miles · Apr 13, 2011
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE ROOF CAME OFF. THE RAG TOP MATERIAL USED ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE SEPARATED. AS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THIS WAS AN AFTER MARKET RAG TOP OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE ROOF CAME OFF. THE RAG TOP MATERIAL USED ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE SEPARATED. AS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THIS WAS AN AFTER MARKET RAG TOP OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10395762

56,400 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Wheels

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING A FLAT TIRE REPAIRED, A FEW DAYS LATER THE TIRE BECAME FLAT AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE WHEEL MAY HAVE CORRODED AROUND THE BEAD PART OF THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATEL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING A FLAT TIRE REPAIRED, A FEW DAYS LATER THE TIRE BECAME FLAT AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE WHEEL MAY HAVE CORRODED AROUND THE BEAD PART OF THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,400. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 07/01/11

NHTSA ODI #10393860

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head

Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.