NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
152 reportsMileage unknown · May 2, 2010
Power TrainCrash
I HAVE A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, MY WIFE STARTED TO BACK UP AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND THEN SLAMMED INTO REVERSE CAUSING HER TO JERK AND THEN HER FOOT CAME OF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER TO RAM A PARKED CAR BEHIND HER, AND THAT WAS JUST THE FI…
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I HAVE A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, MY WIFE STARTED TO BACK UP AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND THEN SLAMMED INTO REVERSE CAUSING HER TO JERK AND THEN HER FOOT CAME OF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER TO RAM A PARKED CAR BEHIND HER, AND THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST TIME .THE NEXT TIME I MYSELF WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT DONE THE SAME THING EXCEPT THERE WAS NOT A CAR BEHIND ME TO STP ME AND I WENT OVER A EMBANKMENT AND IF NOT FOR A TREE I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT BAD , THE TREE STOPPED ME FROM GOING TO THE BOTTOM , AND IT STILL TO THIS DAY WILL SLAM INTO REVERSE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE WITH IT YET . I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT ALOT OF MERCURY MOUNTAINEER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328390
80,000 miles · Apr 23, 2010
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDSHIELD ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDSHIELD ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10327168
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2010
Structure
MOST 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS ARE EXPERIENCING CRACKED LIFT GATES AROUND THE EMBLEM. SOMETIMES MY LIFT GATE OPENS ON ITS OWN...DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS HAPPENING DUE TO THE CRACK BUT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING OUR VEHICLES. DEALERS KNOW ABOUT IT BUT WON'T REPAIR IT WITHOUT CHARGING THE CONSUMERS. DRIVE TH…
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MOST 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS ARE EXPERIENCING CRACKED LIFT GATES AROUND THE EMBLEM. SOMETIMES MY LIFT GATE OPENS ON ITS OWN...DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS HAPPENING DUE TO THE CRACK BUT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING OUR VEHICLES. DEALERS KNOW ABOUT IT BUT WON'T REPAIR IT WITHOUT CHARGING THE CONSUMERS. DRIVE THRU CAR WASH PERSONNEL ADVISE DRIVERS BEFORE THEY DRIVE THROUGH THAT THE CRACK IS PREEXISTING (SO THEY ALL KNOW ABOUT IT?) BUT THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS CAN'T GET THIS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING ISSUE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO ALL OF US? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325793
80,000 miles · Apr 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER SPENDING HOURS TRYING TO REMOVE BACK DISC-DRUMS FOUND THAT THE EBRAKE SHOES HAD RELEASED FROM THE LININGS ON BOTH SIDES REAR OF A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE ADHESIVE ON THE SHOES HAD RELEASED FROM THE SHOE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323692
78,898 miles · Mar 11, 2010
EquipmentFuel System, OtherLatches/locks/linkages
PURCHASED THE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IN 2007. WE ONLY DRIVE THE CAR LOCALLY FOR SCHOOL AND WORK AND WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND MADE THE DEALERSHIP/WARRANTY PAY FOR $1600 REPAIR. SINCE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 3 MONTHS. WE GET C…
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PURCHASED THE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IN 2007. WE ONLY DRIVE THE CAR LOCALLY FOR SCHOOL AND WORK AND WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND MADE THE DEALERSHIP/WARRANTY PAY FOR $1600 REPAIR. SINCE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 3 MONTHS. WE GET CHECK FUEL CAP MESSAGE, REPLACED THAT TWICE (LAST ONE FROM ACTUAL FORD DEALERSHIP) BECAUSE THEY TOLD US IT WASN'T THE ORIGINAL FROM THE CAR. CAR LEAKS WATER THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW/ROOF SEAL AND NOW MY LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN I LOCK THE CAR AND IT TELLS ME EVERY TIME WE GET IN THE CAR THAT THERE IS A DOOR AJAR NO MATTER IF WE GET OUT AND RECLOSE ALL 4 DOORS AND BACK DOOR. R&R WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED 8/29/08 FOR $555. JUST RECENTLY HAD MY TRANSMISSION GO OUT AGAIN (12/8/09) AND HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE REBUILD OF A MERCURY TRANSMISSION WHICH COST US ANOTHER $4000. IT STILL SLIGHTLY VIBRATES GOING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR. ALSO THE BACK HATCH HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY DOWN THROUGH THE LOGO. OUR FORD DEALER CHARGES $200 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319097
102,100 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Power TrainInjury
I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I WAS STOPPED TO GET FUEL. I PUT MY SUV IN PARK TO GET OUT. I WAS LEAVING MY KEYS IN IT. WHEN I STEPPED OUT AND WALKED TO THE REAR, MY SUV STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I HAD TO RUN BACK AN JUMP IN IT AND HIT THE BRAKE. I LOOKED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER AN IT DIDN'T GO INTO PARK. IT STOPPED IN THE MIDD…
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I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I WAS STOPPED TO GET FUEL. I PUT MY SUV IN PARK TO GET OUT. I WAS LEAVING MY KEYS IN IT. WHEN I STEPPED OUT AND WALKED TO THE REAR, MY SUV STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I HAD TO RUN BACK AN JUMP IN IT AND HIT THE BRAKE. I LOOKED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER AN IT DIDN'T GO INTO PARK. IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF P AND R. IF I HAD LOCKED THE DOORS I WOULD NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET INSIDE BEFORE IT HIT THE FUEL PUMPS. IT HAS BEEN STOPPING AT THAT SPOT EVERY TIME I PUT IT IN PARK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317000
112,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Power TrainCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE AUTOMATIC START, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO THE POLICE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE FAIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE AUTOMATIC START, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO THE POLICE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR TRAGEDY TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10298720
60,000 miles · Jan 3, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE FEBRUARY 2007. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE LAST PROBLEMS WAS THE BREAKING POINT. I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHCILE. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND F…
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I HAVE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE FEBRUARY 2007. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE LAST PROBLEMS WAS THE BREAKING POINT. I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHCILE. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FIXING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM COMMUNITY FORD IN NEW ALBANY, MS IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT. I COULDN'T GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR ANY WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD. AFTER A YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT END AND IT WAS $500.00 AT GEORGE'S TIRE SERVICES. I TOOK IT IN DUE TO THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND I WAS ADVISED THAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE WORK DID IT WOULD LOCK UP ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. I NOTICED THAT MY STRUCTURE BODY:HATCHBACK/TAILGATE HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY. MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE BACK DON'T WORK. MY ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AIRCOMPRESSOR HAS WENT OUT AND I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE MY OIL GAUGE IS CONSTANTLY SAYING IT'S LOW. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES. I AM HEARING THIS NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET GOING TO FORD TO SEE WHAT IT IS. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING THIS BURNING COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EITHER. MY LASTEST PROBLEM IS MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS OF PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE. MY TRANSMISSION COST ME AROUND $3500 AND I DON'T HAVE ANY WARRANTY ON IT. THIS IS A LEMON I HAVE PURCHASED AND I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297859
108,000 miles · Jan 3, 2010
Power TrainCrashInjury
I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW. I HAD AN ACCIDENT BACK IN JUNE 2009 WHERE MY VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE YARD AND HIT THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND I WAS HURT IN THE PROCESS. ON JUNE 22, 2009, I WENT OUTSIDE TO WARM MY VEHICLE UP BEFORE I WENT TO WORK THAT MORNING. WHILE, I WAS GETTING REA…
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I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW. I HAD AN ACCIDENT BACK IN JUNE 2009 WHERE MY VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE YARD AND HIT THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND I WAS HURT IN THE PROCESS. ON JUNE 22, 2009, I WENT OUTSIDE TO WARM MY VEHICLE UP BEFORE I WENT TO WORK THAT MORNING. WHILE, I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE OUT THE DOOR TO GO TO MY VEHICLE IT START ROLLING BACK. I IMMEDIATELY RAN OUTSIDE BEHIND THE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE BECAUSE I KNEW PEOPLE WERE THERE. I GRAB THE DOOR AND IT THREW ME ON THE GROUND SO HARD THAT I THOUGHT I DAMAGED MY ORGANS. AFTER THE LOWNDES COUNTY SHERIFF LEFT, I WENT TO GEORGE'S IN WEST POINT, MS WHERE THEY DO MY TIRES AND BRAKES TO CHECK ON THE BRAKES. THEY CHECKED MY CAR AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I WENT TO THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CLINIC TO MAKE SURE I WAS OK AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES. I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR AGAIN THE NEXT DAY ON JUNE 23, 2009 BECAUSE I WAS NOT FEELING GOOD. I WAS TAKEN TO BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ON JUNE 26, 2009 DUE TO THE INCIDENT AND WHEN I WAS THROWN IT JARRED MY ACID REFLUX AND CAUSED A VIRUS. I WAS CHECKED THOROUGHLY FOR ORGAN DAMAGE AND PUT ON PAIN MEDICATION. THIS INCIDENT COST MY INSURANCE TO GO UP AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN UNTIL MY TRANSMISSION STARTING GOING OUT IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND HAVE THREE MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR IT AND MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET UNDER RECALLS TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY AND I SAW 12 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ONE COMPLAINT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION REGARDING THE VEHICLE ROLLING OUT OF THE YARD AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO STARKVILLE FORD ON DEC.29, 2009 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY 2ND SHIFT GEAR HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT AND I ASKED HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. HE KNOWS BECAUSE I AM PRETTY SURE HE HAS SEEN ALOT OF THESE VEHICLES AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME $3500 TO FIX MY VEHICLE . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297858
95,000 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Structure
LIFTGATE PANEL ABOVE EMBLEM (OUTSIDE) HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY TOP TO BOTTOM. WHEN I TOOK TO FORD SERVICE, THEY STATED OTHER SIDE WILL CRACK AND EVENTUALLY PANEL COULD COME OFF. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. IF PANEL COMES OFF, ODDS ARE IT WILL COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES AND THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. I WAS…
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LIFTGATE PANEL ABOVE EMBLEM (OUTSIDE) HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY TOP TO BOTTOM. WHEN I TOOK TO FORD SERVICE, THEY STATED OTHER SIDE WILL CRACK AND EVENTUALLY PANEL COULD COME OFF. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. IF PANEL COMES OFF, ODDS ARE IT WILL COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES AND THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE RECALLS ON SAME PROBLEM BUT FOR DIFFERENT YEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297472
NHTSA investigations
2EA09013 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Aug 18, 2009 · Closed Feb 12, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift; Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering:column
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.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.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
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.
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