← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Tires complaints

57 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2007
Tires

2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE SAW A PIECE OF HIS TIRE BOUNCE OFF THE PAVEMENT BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. PICTURES ATTACHED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. AS THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE REST OF THE TREAD CAME OFF AND BL…

Read full complaint

2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH TIRE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE SAW A PIECE OF HIS TIRE BOUNCE OFF THE PAVEMENT BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. PICTURES ATTACHED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. AS THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE REST OF THE TREAD CAME OFF AND BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE HAD A SLOW LEAK BECAUSE OF A NAIL AND WAS REPAIRED 1 YEAR AGO, AND THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. ( CONTINENTAL CONTI TRAC TIRES). *JB

NHTSA ODI #10212757

40,000 miles · Aug 10, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE LT275/65R18. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO A FUEL STATION WHEN THE T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE LT275/65R18. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO A FUEL STATION WHEN THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE BENT THE FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10199052

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC AW TIRES (SIZE P27560R17). ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN AIR BUBBLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE RETURNED TO THE STORE AND EXCHANGED THE FAILED TIRE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE NOTICED AN AIR BUBBLE ON THE REA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC AW TIRES (SIZE P27560R17). ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN AIR BUBBLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE RETURNED TO THE STORE AND EXCHANGED THE FAILED TIRE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE NOTICED AN AIR BUBBLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. A SALES REPRESENTATIVE FROM WAL-MART STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BATCH OF TIRES WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WITH A GOODYEAR TIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND ALL OF THE CABLES WERE EXPOSED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, ENGINE SIZE, # OF CYLINDERS, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193801

60,620 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 840 TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE TIRE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND MELT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING ON THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT THEY W…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 840 TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE TIRE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND MELT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING ON THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS P265/70R17. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AVAILABLE. THE FUEL SYSTEM, POWERTRAIN, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,625 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,620.

NHTSA ODI #10194440

50,000 miles · Jun 7, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, BOTH REAR TIRES LOST THEIR TREAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. ON JUNE 5, 2007, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, BOTH REAR TIRES LOST THEIR TREAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. ON JUNE 5, 2007, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME TIRE FAILURE WITH THE REAR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE DRIVING SPEED AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ALSO THE SAME. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC AW (P27560R17), WHICH WERE RECALLED UNDER NOTICE # 02T012000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT) ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES ALONG WITH THE TIRE TO SEND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS, MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEMATIC TIRES, AND ALSO A COPY OF THE RECALL FOR PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT OF THE TIRES. UPDATED 08/06/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192640

40,000 miles · Mar 21, 2007
TiresCrashInjury

ON MARCH 13, 2007, OUR 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAD A TREAD SEPARATION TIRE FAILURE. WE WERE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER AND BOTH VEHICLES ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CONTINENTAL TIRES. TWO OF THE FOUR PASSENGERS WERE INJURED ENOUGH TO REQUIRE EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. ONE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE…

Read full complaint

ON MARCH 13, 2007, OUR 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAD A TREAD SEPARATION TIRE FAILURE. WE WERE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER AND BOTH VEHICLES ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CONTINENTAL TIRES. TWO OF THE FOUR PASSENGERS WERE INJURED ENOUGH TO REQUIRE EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. ONE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE OTHER DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL. BOTH WERE TREATED NAD RELEASED THE SAME DAY. CONTINENTAL TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE TIRE RECALLS THAT HAVE OCCURRRED. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185766

53,070 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Tires

FORD EXPEDITION 2003 XLT, 53700 MILES, CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV TIRES, TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AREA, REPLACED ALL 5 ORIG. TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES FOR ABOUT $1.000.00, KEPT ALL TIRES. MANAGED TO STOP CAR BEFORE ROLL OVER. NO RECALL RECEIVED FROM FORD. WHAT SHOULD I DO?*JB

NHTSA ODI #10175269

38,000 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Tires

RUNNING ABOUT 50 MPH AND SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON TIRE CONTINENTAL TIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147471

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2005
Tires

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME APART ON THE TREAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. IT PULLED OFF THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TRUCK, AND DID DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND PAINT DAMAGE TO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND A MECHANIC HAD TO BE CALLED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TIR…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME APART ON THE TREAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. IT PULLED OFF THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TRUCK, AND DID DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND PAINT DAMAGE TO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND A MECHANIC HAD TO BE CALLED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR, JUST THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY STATE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140465

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2005
Tires

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION AROUND 72 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT VERIFY THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE CONSUMER DID HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND THE VEHICLE REALIGNED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE VIBRATION WAS SO BAD THAT IT DID CAUSE I…

Read full complaint

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION AROUND 72 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT VERIFY THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE CONSUMER DID HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND THE VEHICLE REALIGNED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE VIBRATION WAS SO BAD THAT IT DID CAUSE INJURY TO HER WRISTS. ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS LATER THERE WAS HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE, BUT THIS HAD BEEN ROTATED FROM THE FRONT. THE SERVICE INVOICE STATED THAT THE TIRE HAS HOP-IN-TIRE, AND WAS OUT OF ROUND. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER STATED IF IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE OR REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES ON THE TIRE. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10134284

Official recalls

1

03V094000 · 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

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.