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2002 Mercury Grand Marquis

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

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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

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

48 reports with mileage · 30 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 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Suspension complaints

11 reports
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53,000 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT BALL JOINTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS PENDING A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT BALL JOINTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS PENDING A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10896335

35,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FRONT RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD END WERE RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FRONT RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD END WERE RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568262

1,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012
Electrical SystemSuspension

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE WE WENT BACK TO DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BOUNCY SUSPENSION THAT MADE THE CAR GO SIDEWAYS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS WHILE IN MILD TURNS (JUST HIGHWAY DIRECTION CHANGES NOT GETTING OFF/ON, ETC.). DEALER LOOKED INTO PROBLEM VIA FMC AND SAID THE 02 SUSPENSION HAD BEEN CHANGED TO IMPROVE ITS RIDE (H…

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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE WE WENT BACK TO DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BOUNCY SUSPENSION THAT MADE THE CAR GO SIDEWAYS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS WHILE IN MILD TURNS (JUST HIGHWAY DIRECTION CHANGES NOT GETTING OFF/ON, ETC.). DEALER LOOKED INTO PROBLEM VIA FMC AND SAID THE 02 SUSPENSION HAD BEEN CHANGED TO IMPROVE ITS RIDE (HA). THE CHANGES WERE TOO GREAT TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE COMPONENTS TO GET THE RIDE BACK TO WHAT IT WAS IN EARLIER YEARS. ONLY CHANGES WE COULD DO TO IMPROVE IT WERE TO GET 4 NEW HIGH PRESSURE (FAST RESPONDING) KB SHOCKS AND GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TOURING (MORE FLEX IN SIDEWALL) TIRES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT. NOW THE CAR DOES NOT LATERALLY JUMP FEET BUT RATHER INCHES DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. ALSO: STARTING RELAY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND HARNESS CONTACTS IN LOWER STEERING COLUMN DEVELOPED POOR CONNECTIONS AND HAD TO BE SPRAYED WITH HIGH COST CAIG CONTACT IMPROVER TO GET CAR TO START CONSISTENTLY. ALSO: BRAKE PEDAL RAISE/LOWER MOTOR BURNED OUT DUE TO GEAR SEIZING UP IN THAT AREA AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY FINDING A REPLACEMENT ACROSS COUNTRY SINCE FMC DOESN'T MAKE PARTS ANYMORE (> 7 YRS I GUESS). ALSO: ALL 8 INDIVIDUAL CYLINDER SPARK COILS WERE REPLACED WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE AFTERMARKET ONES AFTER TWO OF FORDS COILS FAILED, ONE AT A TIME. ALL IN ALL NOT A GREAT CAR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462251

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2008
Suspension

2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS WITH DEFECTIVE RUBBER BOOTS ON BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HIM THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE BALL JOINTS AND STABILIZER LINKS WERE DETERIORATED. MECHANIC STATED THIS WAS DUE TO WEATHER, AND LACK OF VEHICLE USE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10233953

50,000 miles · Jun 12, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 12 MPH, THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND MADE A HUGE NOISE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILED SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO GARAGE AND WAS INFORMED TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 12 MPH, THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND MADE A HUGE NOISE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILED SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO GARAGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS COULD NOT BE SERVICED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM, WHICH THE CONTACT BELIEVED TO BE THE ROOT OF THE ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE. HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER FAILED TO PROPERLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230838

80,476 miles · Oct 29, 2007
Suspension

BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND WENT ABOUT 4 HOUSES, WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT AND DUG INTO THE ASPHALT. THE CAR WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AS IT WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 10 MPH. UPON INSPECTING THE DAMAGE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF. THE …

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BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND WENT ABOUT 4 HOUSES, WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR DROPPED TO THE PAVEMENT AND DUG INTO THE ASPHALT. THE CAR WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AS IT WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT 10 MPH. UPON INSPECTING THE DAMAGE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN OFF. THE TIRE WAS CUT DOWN ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL AND WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE FENDER FORCING THE FENDER BACK INTO THE DOOR. THE RIM AND SWAY BAR LINK WERE ALSO DAMAGED. WE TRAVEL TO THE VETERANS HOSPITAL IN IOWA CITY, IOWA QUITE FREQUENTLY, TWO APPOINTMENTS THIS WEEK, AND HAD WE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I FEAR WE WOULD BE STATISTICS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207322

14,427 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A WHISPERING AIR SOUND. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10061624

8,000 miles · Mar 11, 2004
Seat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WHEN PARKING. THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED A TEMPORARY FIX BY PUTTING SHIMS UNDER THE FRONT END. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER.…

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THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WHEN PARKING. THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED A TEMPORARY FIX BY PUTTING SHIMS UNDER THE FRONT END. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER. THIS RESULTED IN INJURIES TO THE CONSUMERS ARM. THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TENSIONER PULLEY FALLING OFF. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT PLATE FAILED TO LOCK IN THE BUCKLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. *JB ALSO, FRONT RIMS HAVE EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. DEALER INSPECTED BRAKES, BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN OF CONSUMER. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10055734

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING SUSPENSION IS VERY BOUNCY, WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10039962

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THIS IS A CONCERN AND I AM WONDERING, IF IT SHOULD IN FACT BE A COMPLAINT. I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY MARQUIS ON JUNE 12TH OF 2003. I WAS ASSURED THIS, AS OTHER AUTOS HAD BEEN CHECKED OUT AND IN GOOD ORDER. I AM NOW NOTICING THE IGNITION KEY SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN WHEN I AM TRYING TO START THE CAR. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, I RAN A CA…

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THIS IS A CONCERN AND I AM WONDERING, IF IT SHOULD IN FACT BE A COMPLAINT. I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY MARQUIS ON JUNE 12TH OF 2003. I WAS ASSURED THIS, AS OTHER AUTOS HAD BEEN CHECKED OUT AND IN GOOD ORDER. I AM NOW NOTICING THE IGNITION KEY SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN WHEN I AM TRYING TO START THE CAR. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, I RAN A CARFAX REPORT AND DISCOVERED ON 11/18/02 THIS CAR HAD 27,262 MILES. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, AND BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS 27,279 I WAS ASSURED THIS WAS A GOOD CAR. I FIND NOW, THAT IT WAS NOT THE RETIRED, SENIOR CITIZEN WHO WANTED A NEW AUTO TRADE IN, BUT THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR FROM BURLINGGAME, CA. NOW I AM WONDERING IF I SHOULD BE CONCERNED THIS CAR WAS SITTING FOR 8 MONTHS AND THUS ONLY HAD 17 MILES MORE IN JUNE THAN IN NOVEMBER? OR BE SUSPECT ABOUT THE ODOMETER BEING ROLLED BACK? IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM ACCURATE A 2002 WOULD ONLY HAVE 17 MILES MORE IN 8 MONTHS FROM NOV. 2002 TO JUNE 12, 2003.THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10025559

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.