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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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Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS 2003 EXPEDITION WE HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO NOISE AND LOOSE STRIPPING, THEN, THE CONTRACTING PERSON PUT IN THE WRONG YEARS WINDSHIELD. THE EMISSIONS CANISTER WAS CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WOULD POP AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, BUT COULDN'T BE FIXED UNTIL VERIFIED BY FORD. I…

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SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS 2003 EXPEDITION WE HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO NOISE AND LOOSE STRIPPING, THEN, THE CONTRACTING PERSON PUT IN THE WRONG YEARS WINDSHIELD. THE EMISSIONS CANISTER WAS CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WOULD POP AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, BUT COULDN'T BE FIXED UNTIL VERIFIED BY FORD. I WAITED FOR 3-4 HOURS ONE DAY WITH 3 CHILDREN WHILE THEY LET MY CAR RUN AND SHUT OFF. WE FINALLY CALLED AHEAD, AND HAD THEM WAIT OUTSIDE ON US UNTIL WE KILLED THE ENGINE TO HEAR IT POP. IT WAS A POOR MUFFLER WELD AND WAS REPAIRED. THE SIDE MOLDING RATTLED BADLY, AND WAS TERRIBLY FADED, AND THAT WAS REPLACED. THE DOOR GETS A LOT OF WIND NOISE , AND A WHISTLE IN THE WINDOW. THEY SAID WINDOW PASSED THE DOLLAR BILL TEST AND WAS FINE BUT IT STILL WHISTLES. THEY, PUT A CLEAR STRIP ALONG INSIDE OF DOOR TO HELP NOISE. IT DOESN'T. THEN ,THE REAR CONTINENTAL TIRE HAD SUCH HORRIBLE, UNEVEN WEAR, IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. BOUGHT NEW TIRES FOR $600. THEN REAR DIFFERENTIAL MALFUNCTIONED, AND WOULD MAKE A GRINDING ON TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THEY FIXED THAT IN MARCH 2005, AND IT JUST STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. NOW, THERE IS A STRANGE NOISE WHEN REVVING THE ENGINE TO DRIVE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT IS GOING IN TOMORROW FOR THE NOISE AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. ON TOP OF ALL THE REPAIRS, WE HAVE HAD A SQUEAKY BRAKE ISSUE. ALSO, THEY HAVE SAID THEY WERE GOOD. THEY JUST GET A LOT OF BRAKE DUST, JUST SAND THEM. OUR SIDE WINDOWS SHIMMIES ALL THE TIME. ! I DID INVEST IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118197

500 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Electrical SystemInterior LightingSteering

MY EXPEDITION IS A 1YR AND 5 MONTHS. WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES PAID FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, BECAUSE OF BAD VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 60-70 MILES AN HOUR. STILL HAD VIBRATION, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THE TRUCK CAME WITH TIRES OUT OF BALANCE. STILL HAD VIBRATION, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, A BOX DEALING…

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MY EXPEDITION IS A 1YR AND 5 MONTHS. WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES PAID FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, BECAUSE OF BAD VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 60-70 MILES AN HOUR. STILL HAD VIBRATION, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THE TRUCK CAME WITH TIRES OUT OF BALANCE. STILL HAD VIBRATION, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, A BOX DEALING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAVE PAID FOR ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCE, NOW TIRES HAVE WORN SO BAD DEALERSHIP WILL PROBABLY BLAME WORN TIRES FOR THE VIBRATION. THERE IS MORE!!! THE SEAL ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAME LOOSE AND STARTED LEAKING, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN THE FRONT DEFROST VENT SOME FOAM STUFF HAD COME LOOSE AND WOULD FLAP AROUND WHEN THE VENT WAS ON, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED IT ( PACKING) IT WAS REPLACED OR GLUED BACK DOWN. THE SIDE TRIM ON BOTH SIDES FROM THE TWO FRONT DOORS, TO THE TWO REAR DOORS FADED BADLY, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DOME LIGHT HAD A PINCHED WIRE AND WOULD FLICKER WHEN TURNED ON OR HIT A BUMP, IT WAS REPAIRED. THE POWER WINDOW SWITH LIGHT, DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT, AND THE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED WHEN I HIT A BUMP MOST OF THIS HAPPENED IN UNDER A YEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10096433

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2004
Visibility

WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS WOULD ROTATE OUTWARD OR POINT TOWARD THE GROUND. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT RESOLVE IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10071822

500 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Visibility

A RECURRENT AND UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER EXTERIOR MIRRORS ON A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE PASSENGER MIRROR IS INCAPABLE OF RETURNING TO ITS PRE-SET POSITION. THIS OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE "REVERSE AID" FEATURE IS ON OR OFF AND ALSO OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE "MEMORY" FEATURE FOR DRIVER 1 OR DRIVER 2 IS ACTIVATED. IT …

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A RECURRENT AND UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER EXTERIOR MIRRORS ON A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE PASSENGER MIRROR IS INCAPABLE OF RETURNING TO ITS PRE-SET POSITION. THIS OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE "REVERSE AID" FEATURE IS ON OR OFF AND ALSO OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE "MEMORY" FEATURE FOR DRIVER 1 OR DRIVER 2 IS ACTIVATED. IT OCCURS ROUGHLY ONE-HALF OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED EVEN BY THE SAME DRIVER (DRIVER 1) IN SUCCESSION. DUE TO THE FORD INSTALLED ALARM FEATURE, THE UNLOCKING FOB (OR THE DOOR MOUNTED KEYPAD) MUST BE USED. EACH TRIGGERS THE MIRROR FAILURE. TWO DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE VISITS, HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS IN SUCCESSION, AND HAVING THE AVAILABLE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY (ON LETTERHEAD CORRESPONDENCE) NOW DENIES THAT ANY PROBLEM EXIST WITH MY VEHICLE (AFTER DETAILED TELEPHONE AND WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE). TWO NEIGHBORING ACQUAINTENCES WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITHOUT RESOLUTION AS WELL. MULTIPLE POSTINGS ON THE NTSHA WEBSITE MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS SAME PROBLEM AND SPEAK OF FORD'S "PROMISE" TO RESOLVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. EITHER A SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY FORD OR THE VEHICLES SHOUDL BE RECALLED AND A MIRROR SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY SHOULD BE INSTALLED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067903

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2004
EquipmentSeat BeltsVisibility

PURCHASED 2003 EXPEDITION XLT IN 9/03 AND HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE: A/C NOISE & DECREASED VOLUME WHEN MAX A/C IS ON; RATTLING NOISE FROM SIDE PANELS (WHICH ALSO SHOWED FADING WITHIN 3 MONTHS AND WERE REPLACED); WASHER FLUID LIGHT SHOWED LOW WHEN FULL; FOAM LOOSE AROUND DEFROSTER. BY 12/03, STEREO S…

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PURCHASED 2003 EXPEDITION XLT IN 9/03 AND HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITHIN ONE WEEK OF PURCHASE: A/C NOISE & DECREASED VOLUME WHEN MAX A/C IS ON; RATTLING NOISE FROM SIDE PANELS (WHICH ALSO SHOWED FADING WITHIN 3 MONTHS AND WERE REPLACED); WASHER FLUID LIGHT SHOWED LOW WHEN FULL; FOAM LOOSE AROUND DEFROSTER. BY 12/03, STEREO SYSTEM REPLACED DUE TO LOUD WHINING NOISE; HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES (PROBLEM STILL RECURRING); 2/04 SUN ROOF LEAKING PROFUSELY INTO 2ND ROW SEAT AREA (SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED A MONTH LATER THOUGH REPAIRED). WHEN DEALER'S SUBCONTRACTOR REPAIRED MOONROOF THE SECOND TIME, THE TECHNICAN NEGLECTED TO SCREW REAR SEATBELT BOLT TIGHTLY BACK TO SIDE PANEL. SEATBELT BOLT BROKE AWAY FROM SIDE PANEL WHILE CHILD WAS SITTING IN SEAT! DEALER REPAIRED AND CHECKED ALL SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS AT MY REQUEST BUT DID NOT OFFER TO DETERMINE SOURCE OF PROBLEM UNTIL I INSISTED. SERVICE MGR INITIALLY REPORTED HE THOUGHT IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT, UNTIL THEY RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM IN DETAIL. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT FORD HAVE A POLICY THAT ANY SAFETY DEVICES REMOVED OR TAMPERED WITH DURING ANY REPAIR SHOULD BE DOUBLE CHECKED FOR PROPER OPERATION PRIOR TO RETURNING VEHICLE TO OWNER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067688

800 miles · Apr 7, 2004
Visibility

ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER REPS, THE PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE MIRRORS AND THEIR PROPENSITY TO MOVE WITHOUT WARNING OR "POP" WHEN USING THE VEHICLES' REVERSE MIRROR FUNCTION, IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I AM JUST TOO TALL (6'3"), AND THAT THE LOCATION THAT I HAVE THE MIRRORS ADJ…

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ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER REPS, THE PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE MIRRORS AND THEIR PROPENSITY TO MOVE WITHOUT WARNING OR "POP" WHEN USING THE VEHICLES' REVERSE MIRROR FUNCTION, IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I AM JUST TOO TALL (6'3"), AND THAT THE LOCATION THAT I HAVE THE MIRRORS ADJUSTED IN, CAUSES THE HOUSING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TILTING ASSEMBLY! I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FORD WOULD PRODUCE A VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO ADJUST THE MIRROS PROPERLY SO THAT YOU CAN SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU, AND STILL BE ABLE TO USE A FUNCTION THAT WAS DESIGNED INTO THE VEHICLE! THE MIRROS MODULES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON BOTH SIDES AS WELL AS THE MOTORS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW, THE VEHICLE IS AS IT WAS DESIGNED AND THEY HAVE NO INTENT TO REPAIR. GOOD LUCK SEEING TRAFFIC ON EITHER SIDE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10065704

27,093 miles · Mar 9, 2004
Visibility

I TURNED THE CORNER AND THE WHOLE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. I STOPPED RIGHT AWAY AND LOOKED AROUND. MOST OF THE GLASS HAD SHATTERED OUTSIDE THE EXPEDITION. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HIT IT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE CORNER I TURNED AT, THERE WAS A METRO POLICE OFFICER THERE BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN THE MIDDLE T…

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I TURNED THE CORNER AND THE WHOLE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. I STOPPED RIGHT AWAY AND LOOKED AROUND. MOST OF THE GLASS HAD SHATTERED OUTSIDE THE EXPEDITION. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HIT IT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE CORNER I TURNED AT, THERE WAS A METRO POLICE OFFICER THERE BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN THE MIDDLE THERE. MY CHILDREN WHERE SCARED AND CRYING BUT THERE WAS NO GLASS ON THEM. THE NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION DOWN TO FRIENDLY FORD AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED.

NHTSA ODI #10060832

26,979 miles · Jan 11, 2004
Visibility

MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION XLT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND GOT IN. I STARTED THE CAR AND THEN TRIED TO ROLL DOWN THE ELCTRIC WIDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AS SOON AS THE BUTTON WAS PUSHED, THE WINDOW EXPLODED, COVERING ME WITH GLASS PIECES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052859

8 miles · Jan 5, 2004
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE WEATHER STRIPPING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING APART. DEALER TRIED TO GLUE THE STRIP DOWN ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053312

125 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Visibility

2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION. SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WITH BACKUP ASSIST WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME CAUSING YOU TO CONSTANTLY BE AWARE THAT THE MIRRORS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE RESET TO THE DRIVERS DESIRED SETTING. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IF THE DRIVERS OF THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES HAVE TO CHECK…

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2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION. SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WITH BACKUP ASSIST WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANYTIME CAUSING YOU TO CONSTANTLY BE AWARE THAT THE MIRRORS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE RESET TO THE DRIVERS DESIRED SETTING. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IF THE DRIVERS OF THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES HAVE TO CHECK THERE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS TO CHANGE LANES ETC. THEY RUN THE RISK OF SIDE IMPACTING SOMEONE OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT .*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050973

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.