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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

Visibility complaints

37 reports
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64,000 miles · Oct 4, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility

LIVE IN CHICAGO IL. (20 MINUTES OUTSIDE) AND MY EXPEDITION WAS LEFT OUTSIDE. IT GOT COLD (48 OUTSIDE) OVER NIGHT, AND MY FORD WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING, (DOME LIGHTS WOULDN'T EVEN TURN ON). I JUMPED IT, AND NOTICED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE (DOESN'T EVEN LIGHT UP). I TOOK IT TO FORD, AND THEY HAD THOUGHT THAT THE UN…

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LIVE IN CHICAGO IL. (20 MINUTES OUTSIDE) AND MY EXPEDITION WAS LEFT OUTSIDE. IT GOT COLD (48 OUTSIDE) OVER NIGHT, AND MY FORD WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING, (DOME LIGHTS WOULDN'T EVEN TURN ON). I JUMPED IT, AND NOTICED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE (DOESN'T EVEN LIGHT UP). I TOOK IT TO FORD, AND THEY HAD THOUGHT THAT THE UNIT BURNED OUT. COOL, I CAN BUY ONE ON E-BAY FOR ABOUT $40.00 INSTEAD OF 326.00 THAT THEY QUOTED ME... I LEFT FEELING A LITTLE BETTER, KNOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS....THEN SOMETHING STRANGE STARTED HAPPENING... THE 4WD HIGH/LOW IS FLASHING IN 1 MINUTE INTERVALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE DRIVER SEAT IS ADJUSTING ON IT'S OWN, WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND CANNOT BE STOPPED, LEAVING ME CRAMMED INTO THE DASH/STEERING WHEEL, THE BACK UP AID IS NOT WORKING, WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE THE RADIO STAYS ON, I HAVE TO RE-OPEN THE DOORS AND CLOSE THEM AGAIN TO TURN IT OFF, AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROLS. CALL ME STUPID, BUT THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE MORE INDEPTH THAN A CLIMATE CONTROL BURNING OUT. AFTER READING COUNTLESS ISSUES WITH THE EXPEDITION (INCLUDING THE COOL FEATURE OF AUTO IGNITE, WHERE IT DECIDES TO BURN IT'S SELF TO THE GROUND AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 3-5 HOURS DUE TO ELECTRICAL FIRES) I AM NOT SURE I AM VERY FOND OF THIS TRUCK ANYMORE. I AM NOT ENCOURAGED BY EVERYONE ON THIS HAVING SIMILAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND NOT HAVING FORD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM CAUSES GRAVE CONCERN, SEEING HOW MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS (WHO ARE SECURED IN THEIR CAR SEATS) ARE DRIVING IN A FIRE LADEN DEATH TRAP, OR WORSE, MY WIFE GETTING PINNED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE SEAT GOING HAYWIRE, THEN HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND THE AIR BAG GOING OFF.... THIS IS SERIOUS, I NEED YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY, PLEASE FOR MY FAMILY'S WELL BEING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244355

18,000 miles · Jan 19, 2008
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility

OUTSIDE MIRROR LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND PRESSING REMOTE LOCK BUTTON. THEY EVENTUALLY RAN THE BATTERY DOWN. THIS WAS AFTER A HARD RAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME, THE RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF (KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND DOORS OPEN) THE CHIME KEPT G…

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OUTSIDE MIRROR LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND PRESSING REMOTE LOCK BUTTON. THEY EVENTUALLY RAN THE BATTERY DOWN. THIS WAS AFTER A HARD RAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME, THE RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF (KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND DOORS OPEN) THE CHIME KEPT GOING OFF AND THE BATTERY WENT DEAD BECAUSE I DID NOT DISCONNECT IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS, FROM THE FACTORY, AND WATER DRIPS DOWN ONTO THE COMPUTER MODULE AND FUSE BOX. I CHECKED MY FUSE BOX AND I DID HAVE DRIPPING WATER IN IT ALONG WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS, INSIDE THE VEHICLE, INDICATION LONG TERM INTRUSION OF WATER. THIS CAUSES ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTING MY OEM WINDSHIELD I FOUND IT COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE TOP AND I COULD SEE LIGHT BETWEEN THE GLASS AND SEAL. I NOW HAVE TO BUY A NEW WINDSHIELD ALONG WITH FUSE BLOCK AND COMPUTER CRAP. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, AS MENTIONED, IS NOT SEALED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD INTEGRITY IS A HUGE PART OF THE STRENGTH OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD IS USED TO SUPPORT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IN CASE OF DEPLOYMENT. I DON'T HAVE THAT INTEGRITY ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AND THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT FORD PAYS FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215449

35,000 miles · May 4, 2007
Visibility

SIDE VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO RETURN TO PROPER POSITION AFTER USING REVERSE AID. MIRRORS OFTEN TILT TOO HIGH, TOO LOW, ETC. AND MAX OUT CREATING BAD CLICKING AS IF THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO TILT PAST FURTHEST POINT. HAVE TO RESET MANUALLY ON EACH SIDE EVERY TIME. HAPPENS 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES USED, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE PURCHAS…

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SIDE VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO RETURN TO PROPER POSITION AFTER USING REVERSE AID. MIRRORS OFTEN TILT TOO HIGH, TOO LOW, ETC. AND MAX OUT CREATING BAD CLICKING AS IF THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO TILT PAST FURTHEST POINT. HAVE TO RESET MANUALLY ON EACH SIDE EVERY TIME. HAPPENS 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES USED, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE PURCHASE. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT HEARD OF THE ISSUE MUCH, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN FIND HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT ON WEBSITES SUCH AS THIS AND OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189728

27,000 miles · Mar 6, 2007
Visibility

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC MIRRORS THAT ROTATE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MIRROR WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE MIRROR WAS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO THE PRE-…

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I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC MIRRORS THAT ROTATE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MIRROR WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE MIRROR WAS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO THE PRE-SERT POSITION BUT IT WOULD NOT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LT AND RT MIRROR MOTORS. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AGAIN WITH LITTLE DIFFERENCE. NOW WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS ROTATE IN AND DOWN AS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE BUT THAT IS EVEN BEFORE THE DOORS AR OPEN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED NEITHER MIRROR WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITIONS. SO NOW BEFORE I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO ADJUST EACH MIRROR. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED WITH THE REMOTE. IF I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE LEFT DOOR THE MIRRORS STAY AT THE PRE-SET POSITION UNTIL I PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT THE MIRRORS WILL NOT MOVE BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION AFTER GOING TO THE DRIVE POSITION. WITH THE MIRRORS IN THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE POSITION, NEITHER WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION. AFTER TURNING OFF THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER COMPUTER, BOTH MIRRORS WILL STILL DRIVE TO THE IN AND DOWN POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED AND BOTH HAVE TO BE SET AGAIN BEFORE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184311

27,000 miles · Mar 6, 2007
Visibility

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC MIRRORS THAT ROTATE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MIRROR WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE MIRROR WAS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO THE PRE-…

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I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC MIRRORS THAT ROTATE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MIRROR WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE MIRROR WAS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO THE PRE-SERT POSITION BUT IT WOULD NOT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LT AND RT MIRROR MOTORS. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AGAIN WITH A LITTLE DIFFERENCE. NOW WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS ROTATE IN AND DOWN AS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE BUT THAT IS EVEN BEFORE THE DOORS AR OPEN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED NEITHER MIRROR WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITIONS. SO NOW BEFORE I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO ADJUST EACH MIRROR. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED WITH THE REMOTE. IF I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE LEFT DOOR THE MIRRORS STAY AT THE PRE=SET POSITION UNTIL I PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT THE MIRRORS WILL NOT MOVE BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION AFTER GOING TO THE DRIVE POSITION. WITH THE MIRRORS IN THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE POSITION, NEITHER WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION. AFTER TURNING OFF THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER COMPUTER, BOTH MIRRORS WILL STILL DRIVE TO THE IN AND DOWN POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED AND BOTH HAVE TO BE SET AGAIN BEFORE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184310

43,000 miles · Mar 4, 2007
Visibility

REAR HEATING/AC AIR BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR HAS FAILED. A DRIVE GEAR INSIDE THE ACTUATOR HAS STRIPPED AND IS MISSING TWO TEETH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL CAUSES THE ACTUATOR TO REACH ONE END OF IT'S INTERNAL TRAVEL LIMIT PREMATURELY, STRAINING THE INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE. ALSO, THE AIR BLE…

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REAR HEATING/AC AIR BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR HAS FAILED. A DRIVE GEAR INSIDE THE ACTUATOR HAS STRIPPED AND IS MISSING TWO TEETH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL CAUSES THE ACTUATOR TO REACH ONE END OF IT'S INTERNAL TRAVEL LIMIT PREMATURELY, STRAINING THE INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE. ALSO, THE AIR BLEND DOOR TRAVEL LIMITS ARE REACHED BEFORE THE ACTUATOR LIMITS, STRAINING THE INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE FURTHER AT BOTH ENDS OF TRAVEL. THE TWO ISSUES CAUSE THE EFFECTIVE ROTATION RANGE OF THE MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL TO BE REDUCED FROM 300 DEGREES OF ROTATION TO 135 DEGREES OF ROTATION, AND ANY POSITIONING OF THE CONTROL OUTSIDE THE EFFECTIVE RANGE STRAINS AND STRIPS THE GEARS OF THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10184133

20,800 miles · Dec 28, 2006
Electrical SystemInterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

REAR VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO RETURN TO CORRECT POSITION AFTER BACKING UP CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE - NEW IN 2003. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO SERVICE BULLETINS EXISTED AS OF MARCH 2006. OTHER INTERMITTENT ELECTRI…

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REAR VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO RETURN TO CORRECT POSITION AFTER BACKING UP CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE - NEW IN 2003. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO SERVICE BULLETINS EXISTED AS OF MARCH 2006. OTHER INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EXIST - 1. PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR - AUTOMATIC LOCK DOESN'T ALWAYS OPERATE. 2. INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AS IF A DOOR HAS BEEN LEFT OPEN, EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS AND HATCHES HAVE BEEN CHECKED TO ENSURE THEY ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177218

45,000 miles · Aug 7, 2006
Visibility

PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, SINCE THEN DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. WEEK AND HALF AGO, PASSENGERS FWD INOPERATIVE, YESTERDAY, DRIVERS SIDE INOPERATIVE. WHEN FIRST ONE WAS FIXED. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM. THE REGULATOR CABLES BIND UP. HE SAID BAD DESIGN. STILL WAITING FOR MY APP…

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PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, SINCE THEN DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. WEEK AND HALF AGO, PASSENGERS FWD INOPERATIVE, YESTERDAY, DRIVERS SIDE INOPERATIVE. WHEN FIRST ONE WAS FIXED. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM. THE REGULATOR CABLES BIND UP. HE SAID BAD DESIGN. STILL WAITING FOR MY APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR THE OTHER 2 WINDOWS. WHEN THESE WINDOWS FAIL. THEY ARE EITHER STUCK UP, OR DOWN. RESULTING IN A SAFETY ISSUE IN FLOODS OR WATER, OR HEAT ISSUES IF THE WINDOWS CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN. NOT TO MENTION, EMERGENCY ESCAPE ISSUES. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND MANY WEBSITES WITH ARCHIVED FORUMS WITH MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME SITUATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10164801

55,000 miles · Jan 18, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *NM UPDATED 2/9/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148023

17,493 miles · Jun 8, 2005
Interior LightingPower TrainSteeringCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #10121387

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.