IllustrationThe brakes are burning while driving & the emergency brakes are not applied. The power windows are failing 1 by 1.
2003 Ford Expedition
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Expedition years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Expedition are substantially higher than the model-year median of 155.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Expedition years →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
960–25K
5325–50K
6950–75K
7175–100K
105100–150K
69150K+
463 reports with mileage · 152 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
57 crash reports36 fire reports39 injury reports
Steering complaints
20 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED AND I CONTINUED ON, AFTER A FEW MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I GOT IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS TRYING TO MAKE A REST STOP A FEW MILES AWAY. WHILE PU…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED AND I CONTINUED ON, AFTER A FEW MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I GOT IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS TRYING TO MAKE A REST STOP A FEW MILES AWAY. WHILE PULLING INTO THE REST STOP THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION BECAUSE OF NO STEERING OR BRAKES. THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED 8 TIMES THAT DAY. WHILE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I FOUND ON THE NHTSB WEBSITE THAT OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUSE BLOCK. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE. THAT WOULD NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO DID FIND THAT IT WAS INDEED A FAULTY FUSE BLOCK. THE SAME MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES.
TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 60MPH TOWING A CAMPER BECAUSE MY FUEL PUMP RELAY BLEW BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE FUSE BOX!! ALMOST KILLED US........ NOT HAPPY AT ALL. I'VE SPOKEN TO MANY MECHANICS AND BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD AND DANGEROUS ISSUE FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT…
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TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 60MPH TOWING A CAMPER BECAUSE MY FUEL PUMP RELAY BLEW BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE FUSE BOX!! ALMOST KILLED US........ NOT HAPPY AT ALL. I'VE SPOKEN TO MANY MECHANICS AND BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD AND DANGEROUS ISSUE FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT A CHEAP PART BY ANY MEANS, BUT ON TOP OF THAT IT ALMOST KILLED MY WIFE AND FAMILY! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I CAN SEND YOU PICTURES OF THE FUSE BOX BOARD SO YOU CAN SEE THE BURNS.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 MPG VEHICLE STALLS THEN PROCEEDS, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COURSE OF 1 YEAR. ONE LATER INCIDENT ENGINE DIED BUT RESTARTED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER COMPLETELY DIES. AFTER SEVERAL HRS VEHICLE RESTARTS. FORD MECHANICS CLAIM THEY CANNOT MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. IT WILL NEVER STALL OR QUIT WHEN IT'S IN THE SH…
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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 MPG VEHICLE STALLS THEN PROCEEDS, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COURSE OF 1 YEAR. ONE LATER INCIDENT ENGINE DIED BUT RESTARTED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER COMPLETELY DIES. AFTER SEVERAL HRS VEHICLE RESTARTS. FORD MECHANICS CLAIM THEY CANNOT MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. IT WILL NEVER STALL OR QUIT WHEN IT'S IN THE SHOP. I'M AFRAID THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SOMEONE'S DEATH TRAP. *TR
LOST CONTROL, HIT PARKED CAR AND TREE, FRONT END DAMAGE, DRIVER SIDE FENDER, DRIVER DOOR, DRIVER RECEIVED LACERATION TO FOREHEAD AND TWO FRACTURED RIBS. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON 7/27/12 TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER BACK TO HER MOTHER, AS I HAD MY DAUGHTER DURING SUMMER VISITATION. HALF-WAY INTO MY TRIP (525 MILES ONE-WAY) IT STARTED TO RAIN AND I HYDRO-PLANED, RESULTING IN A ONE-CAR ACCIDENT. I SLID FROM THE INNER LANE (PASSING LANE), ACROSS THE OUTER LANE, INTO THE SHOULDER …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON 7/27/12 TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER BACK TO HER MOTHER, AS I HAD MY DAUGHTER DURING SUMMER VISITATION. HALF-WAY INTO MY TRIP (525 MILES ONE-WAY) IT STARTED TO RAIN AND I HYDRO-PLANED, RESULTING IN A ONE-CAR ACCIDENT. I SLID FROM THE INNER LANE (PASSING LANE), ACROSS THE OUTER LANE, INTO THE SHOULDER AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD-RAIL. IF NOT FOR THE GUARD-RAIL, MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FALLEN ABOUT 30-FEET FROM THE INTERSTATE TO THE ELEVATION BELOW. AFTER THE RESPONDING DEPARTMENT ARRIVED (HIGHWAY PATROL AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS), WE EVALUATED THAT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE OK PHYSICALLY. ONCE I STARTED TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE, I LOOKED AT THE FRONT TIRES AND THEY ARE SEVERELY WARPED!! I'M NOT AN AUTOMOBILE AFICIONADO, BUT MY FRONT TIRES (BOTH) ARE COMPLETELY BALD ON THE OUTER PORTION OF THE TIRES, WHILE THE INNER THREADS ON THE TIRES SHOW LITTLE WEAR (THE TIRES ARE ONLY 2 YEARS OLD). FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED, THE "CUPPING" THE TIRES EXPERIENCED ARE FROM A FAULTY/DEFECTIVE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I NOTICED SHORTLY INTO MY TRIP, THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD A MODERATE VIBRATION. I HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WHEN I USED TO OWN A 1997 FORD EXPLORER (IT ALWAYS NEED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT/ADJUSTMENT). I WAS NOT TICKETED FOR THE INCIDENT AND AM COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE FAULTY FRONT END ALIGNMENT MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING VIBRATION, AND THE WHEELS CUPPING, RESULTING IN UNEVEN TREAD-WEAR, LEADING TO MY HYDROPLANING ACCIDENT... *TR
ON SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M I WAS DRIVING ON THE 215 FREEWAY GOING SOUTHBOUND IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CA. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS MODERATE AND IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WHILE DRIVING MY PARENTS' 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ON THE FAR RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED OF 60-65MPH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I…
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ON SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M I WAS DRIVING ON THE 215 FREEWAY GOING SOUTHBOUND IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CA. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS MODERATE AND IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WHILE DRIVING MY PARENTS' 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ON THE FAR RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED OF 60-65MPH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I TRIED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE WHEELS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND I VEERED OFF THE LANE AND INTO THE DIRT ON THE SHOULDER LANE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, IT SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER TWO OR THREE TIMES, AND TOOK OUT A BIG PIECE OF FENCE AND FINALLY STOPPED. I WALKED OUT OF THE CAR IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND PANIC, PEOPLE PULLED OVER TO HELP, POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AS WELL AS AN AMBULANCE. ACCIDENT REPORT WAS TAKEN BY THE CHP AND I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE AMBULANCE. I SUFFERED FROM MINOR INJURIES TO HEAD AND BODY AND HAD NIGHTMARES AND WOKE UP SCREAMING FOR A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY AT THE SCENE OF ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND ALMOST SLIPPED ON A RAMP UNTIL HE REGAINED CONTROL. HE ALSO NOTICED A VIBRATING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THERE WERE NO DEFINITE ANSWERS AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE FOR FAIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND ALMOST SLIPPED ON A RAMP UNTIL HE REGAINED CONTROL. HE ALSO NOTICED A VIBRATING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THERE WERE NO DEFINITE ANSWERS AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
ON AUGUST 26,2006 TOOK MY SUV TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD. WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO HAVE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS REPLACED HAD ANOTHER DEALER CHECK OUT ONLY NEED FRONT ROTORS REPLACED HAD THEM REPLACED. ON SEPT 8, 2006 TOOK BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE I HEARD A WHINNING NOISE THOUGHT I…
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ON AUGUST 26,2006 TOOK MY SUV TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD. WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO HAVE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS REPLACED HAD ANOTHER DEALER CHECK OUT ONLY NEED FRONT ROTORS REPLACED HAD THEM REPLACED. ON SEPT 8, 2006 TOOK BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE I HEARD A WHINNING NOISE THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FLUID LOW. IT CHECKED OUT OKAY DEALER CHECK IT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD HAD IT REPLACE. PICKED UP MY SUV AND IT WAS STILL MAKING THE SAME NOISE. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE FOR TWO WEEKS TO LET AIR BLEED OUT LINE AND BRING BACK IN TWO WEEKS CALL THEM TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE TOOK TO DEALER. NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND MAILED THEM A LETTER ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE MY SUV TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER DID THAT WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD THAT I HAD PUT ON IN AUG. AND THAT SOMETHING WAS CAUSING THEM TO GO BAD. THE STEERING RACK IS THE PROBLEM. I CALL THE DEALER WHERE I'VE ALL OF MY WORK DONE ON MY SUV AND TALK TO THE GENERAL MANAGER. HE WAS RUDE AND HUNG UP IN MY FACE I CALL BACK I'M GOING TO TAKE MY SUV TO THEM TOMORROW OCT 27,2006 AND SEE IF WE CAN COME TO TERMS TO GET MY SUV FIX. BUT I'VE SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THAT 'M HAVING. *NM
DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD HAS BROKEN TWICE. BOTH TIMES WAS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAS FIXED IT ONCE AND NOW IT IS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMER, BUT SHE HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. *JB PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN FROM MAS…
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DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD HAS BROKEN TWICE. BOTH TIMES WAS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAS FIXED IT ONCE AND NOW IT IS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMER, BUT SHE HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. *JB PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN FROM MASTER SWITCH. DOOR AJAR LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF. LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED, THEN VEHICLE HIT SIGN. LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKEN, UPPER BALL JOINT BAD, SPINDLE BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK BROKEN, CV BOOT TORN AND AXLE PULLED OUT OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. TIE ROD END ON LEFT SIDE BROKEN AND VACUUM HUB CRACKED ON SPINDLE AND TIRE AND RIM DAMAGED. ALSO FENDER LINER RIPPED OUT. SPINDLE, UPPER CONTROL ARM, LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV BOOT REPLACED. CLIP FOR AXLE VACUUM HUB AND WHEEL AND TIRE, REMOVED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL TO REINSTALL, AXLE AND CLIP REPLACED WHEEL AND TIRE AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT. DAMAGE TO HOOD WHEN KNUCKLE SPLIT. *TT *SB
Official recalls
103V094000 · Structure
Mar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
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
1DP05005 · 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.