NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
615 reports66,000 miles · Oct 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
AS I WAS DRIVING, MY VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP, AND THEN A RATTLING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT MY SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I THEN HAD TO WALK APPROX 1/2 MILE (WHILE I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT) TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE…
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AS I WAS DRIVING, MY VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP, AND THEN A RATTLING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT MY SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I THEN HAD TO WALK APPROX 1/2 MILE (WHILE I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT) TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE PLUGS THAT WERE IN WERE FACTORY, AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORDS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PLUGS WITH A HEALING COIL, AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A GUARANTEED FIX, IT WAS MORE LIKE PUTTING A BAND AID ON THE PROBLEM, IF I WANTED TO GUARANTEE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD. I OPTED TO REPLACE THE PLUGS BECAUSE THEY WERE CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER, AND ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. SINCE I WAS QUITE A WAYS AWAY FROM THE MECHANIC THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON IT, I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT SHOP. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING AN INSERT IN, AND CHARGING ME AN ADDITIONAL $300. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244919
54,000 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER OF HER VEHICLE. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HIS WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER OF HER VEHICLE. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HIS WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.
NHTSA ODI #10244482
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
55,800 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Electrical SystemFire
MY HUSBAND'S 2003 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE HAD BEEN OUT OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. WE HEARD ANOTHER LOUD POPPING NOISE, AND WENT TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WHEN WE GOT OUTSIDE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN WE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE DASHBOAR…
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MY HUSBAND'S 2003 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE HAD BEEN OUT OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. WE HEARD ANOTHER LOUD POPPING NOISE, AND WENT TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WHEN WE GOT OUTSIDE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN WE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. AT THAT POINT WE CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT, AND SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THERE WAS SOME SORT OF SHORT IN THE WIRING. HE HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO DOORS OPEN. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY CAR MAX. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244188
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY WIFE WAS ALMOST TO THE END OF THE OFF RAMP TO THE 210 FREEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN AN AWFUL NOISE. IT SOUND LIKE SHE BLEW A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE #3 SPARK PLUG BEING EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE NEVER CHANGED PLUGS. WE WERE FORTUNATE TH…
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MY WIFE WAS ALMOST TO THE END OF THE OFF RAMP TO THE 210 FREEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN AN AWFUL NOISE. IT SOUND LIKE SHE BLEW A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE #3 SPARK PLUG BEING EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE NEVER CHANGED PLUGS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED LOCAL AND NOT ON THE ROAD FOR VACATION. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED AND A TUNE UP DOWN. AN EXPENSIVE DAY AND NEEDLESS TIME OFF WORK FOR A PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO DUE TO BAD ENGINEERING. A TAPERED SPARK PLUG AND 1/4 THREAD LOCK IN THE HEAD IS NOT A SAFE AND SMART DESIGN. A 3/4 THREAD LOCK WOULD BE MUCH BETTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243362
71,221 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE HEAD ON A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4L ENGINE THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD AND GASOLINE WERE EXPELLED ON THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE HEAD HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1,832.48. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243215
111,000 miles · Sep 22, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND ASSUMED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE DROPPED AND BEGAN TO SCRAPE THE ROAD SURFACE. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE STATION AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE A-…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND ASSUMED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE DROPPED AND BEGAN TO SCRAPE THE ROAD SURFACE. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE STATION AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE A-ARM AXLE RUPTURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 111,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10243115
76,207 miles · Sep 22, 2008
Tires
DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 50, OUTSIDE SACRAMENTO AT ABOUT 65MPH IN THE EARLY EVENING ON 9/21/08 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SWING OUT OF CONTROL. I MANAGED TO REMAIN IN CONTROL AND GET TO THE EDGE OF THE FREEWAY. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TREAD FROM THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS …
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DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 50, OUTSIDE SACRAMENTO AT ABOUT 65MPH IN THE EARLY EVENING ON 9/21/08 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SWING OUT OF CONTROL. I MANAGED TO REMAIN IN CONTROL AND GET TO THE EDGE OF THE FREEWAY. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TREAD FROM THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS TOTALLY GONE, BUT THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. THE TREAD HAD CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY BACK PANEL AND BUMPER ASSEMBLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243032
100,000 miles · Sep 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER OF OUR FORD EXPEDITION. THE FIRST TIME IT STRANDED MY FAMILY IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE WINTER. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO AWAY FOR A WEEKEND TRIP TOMORROW. IT COST US 3K THE FIRST TIME AND TODAY'S QUOTE IS ABOUT THE SAME. THIS IS VERY…
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TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER OF OUR FORD EXPEDITION. THE FIRST TIME IT STRANDED MY FAMILY IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE WINTER. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO AWAY FOR A WEEKEND TRIP TOMORROW. IT COST US 3K THE FIRST TIME AND TODAY'S QUOTE IS ABOUT THE SAME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNBELIEVABLE GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE. THIS IS BS! FORD IS DIGGING THEIR OWN GRAVE AND IF SOMEONE DIES DUE TO THIS HAPPENING IT WILL COST THEM MORE THAN MONEY....BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242831
66,687 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE # 1 SPARK PLUG ON MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT AND STRIPPED THE THREADS AND BROKE THE COIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241392
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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