NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
615 reports165,000 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN ADDITION TO A STRONG BURNING ODOR. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. SHE LIFTED THE HOOD WITH ANOTHER PERSON'S ASSISTANCE AND HEARD CRACKLING AND SPARKLING SOUNDS. SHE ALSO NOTICED A HOL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN ADDITION TO A STRONG BURNING ODOR. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. SHE LIFTED THE HOOD WITH ANOTHER PERSON'S ASSISTANCE AND HEARD CRACKLING AND SPARKLING SOUNDS. SHE ALSO NOTICED A HOLE IN THE INSULATOR DIRECTLY INTO THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER YEARS, MAKES, AND MODELS, BUT NONE FOR THE CONTACT'S PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 165,000.
NHTSA ODI #10251302
165,000 miles · Dec 7, 2008
Fuel System, GasolineFire
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 12 WEST. AS I TURNED ONTO A ROAD, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. MY 8-YEAR-OLD SAID, " WHAT IS THAT SMELL?" I TOLD HER THAT IT IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, I TURNED THE TRUCK AROUND AND WENT TO THE NEAREST QUICK STORE. THE MAN INSIDE LOOKED UNDER …
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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 12 WEST. AS I TURNED ONTO A ROAD, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. MY 8-YEAR-OLD SAID, " WHAT IS THAT SMELL?" I TOLD HER THAT IT IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, I TURNED THE TRUCK AROUND AND WENT TO THE NEAREST QUICK STORE. THE MAN INSIDE LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND USED WATER TO PUT ON THE "HOOD BLANKET". THERE WAS A HOLE IN IT ABOVE THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THE MAN KEPT PUTTING WATER ON IT UNTIL IT STOPPED SMOKING. AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, HE TOLD ME THAT ME AND LITTLE GIRL WERE LUCKY. I KNEW THAT IT COULD HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. IT WAS COLD AND IF I WERE NOT CLOSE TO THE STORE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE STAYED IN THE VEHICLE TO STAY WARM. I AM SO GLAD THAT I TURNED AROUND AND TOOK A CHANCE ON GETTING TO THE NEAREST STORE. MY INSURANCE AGENT WILL BE COMING MONDAY (TODAY IS SATURDAY) TO ASSESS THE DAMAGES AND DETERMINE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250972
53,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE 'BLOWN SPARK PLUG' PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE FOR A SECOND TIME. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE # 3 SPARK PLUG ON NOVEMBER 15, 2008. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS REPLACED AUGUST 22, 2006 WITH 86K MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM AT A COST TO ME OF …
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE 'BLOWN SPARK PLUG' PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE FOR A SECOND TIME. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE # 3 SPARK PLUG ON NOVEMBER 15, 2008. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS REPLACED AUGUST 22, 2006 WITH 86K MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM AT A COST TO ME OF $5,400. THIS ENGINE HAS 53K MILES AND WAS INSTALLED BY KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS. ALTHOUGH FORD ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAILURE, THE DEALER ASSURED ME THAT FORD'S REDESIGNED V8 ENGINE HAD RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. IT IS TIME FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248984
86,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON AUGUST 22, 2006. THE TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE HAS 86K+ MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER PURCHASING 12 FORD VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 32 YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TA…
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MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON AUGUST 22, 2006. THE TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE HAS 86K+ MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER PURCHASING 12 FORD VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 32 YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT. MY REPLACEMENT COST OF THE ENGINE WAS $5,400.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248978
82,000 miles · Nov 13, 2008
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HER INSURANCE AGENCY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. THEY WOUL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HER INSURANCE AGENCY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10248747
106,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,000. UPDATED 12-02-08 *BF UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10248572
83,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TORN APART AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE DEALER IS ORDERING A NEW WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAK…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TORN APART AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE DEALER IS ORDERING A NEW WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE ILLUMINATED INDICATORS; HOWEVER, ANOTHER FAILURE WAS FOUND WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S KNOWLEDGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000. UPDATED 12-02-08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER REEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 12/02/08 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10248393
83,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS TO 2003 FORD EXPEDITION, TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND A FIRE IN OVERHEAD WIRING HARNESS. FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH HARNESS. NONE OF THESE WIRES WERE VISIBLE TO US , BUT HAD MELTED THE UNDERSIDE OF OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. VISIBLE BURN MARKS ON METAL INTERIOR OF ROOF. ALL OVERHEAD WIRING HAS…
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LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS TO 2003 FORD EXPEDITION, TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND A FIRE IN OVERHEAD WIRING HARNESS. FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH HARNESS. NONE OF THESE WIRES WERE VISIBLE TO US , BUT HAD MELTED THE UNDERSIDE OF OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. VISIBLE BURN MARKS ON METAL INTERIOR OF ROOF. ALL OVERHEAD WIRING HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248386
91,569 miles · Oct 27, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 L , V8 . WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH THIS MORNING AND HEARD A LOUD POP COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I PULLED OVER AND DROVE BACK TO THE HOUSE WHICH IS TWO BLOCKS AWAY. I CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE SPIT OUT ONE OF MY SPARK PLUG AND BROKE THE COIL. NOTICED GAS WAS …
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I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 L , V8 . WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH THIS MORNING AND HEARD A LOUD POP COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I PULLED OVER AND DROVE BACK TO THE HOUSE WHICH IS TWO BLOCKS AWAY. I CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE SPIT OUT ONE OF MY SPARK PLUG AND BROKE THE COIL. NOTICED GAS WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLE THE PLUG SHOULD BE. I CHECKED THE WEB TODAY AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM DIFFERENT SITES ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS, I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL ADDRESS THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR EVEN DIE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246774
100,008 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT 92,000 ABOUT MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE PLUG BLEW OUT. I PUT JB. WELD AROUND THE PLUG AND PUT IT BACK IN THE TRUCK. IT WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS AND NOW ITS DONE IT AGAIN. I AM NOW OUT OF WORK AND MY WIFE CAN'T MAKE IT TO HERE JOB BECAUSE OF THE TRUCK. SO I AM LOOKING FOR A HELI COIL REPAIR KIT. BUT NO WAY TO GO AND GET IT I HAVE ON…
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AT 92,000 ABOUT MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE PLUG BLEW OUT. I PUT JB. WELD AROUND THE PLUG AND PUT IT BACK IN THE TRUCK. IT WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS AND NOW ITS DONE IT AGAIN. I AM NOW OUT OF WORK AND MY WIFE CAN'T MAKE IT TO HERE JOB BECAUSE OF THE TRUCK. SO I AM LOOKING FOR A HELI COIL REPAIR KIT. BUT NO WAY TO GO AND GET IT I HAVE ONE TRUCK. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246350
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.
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