NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
615 reports60,620 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 840 TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE TIRE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND MELT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING ON THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT THEY W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 840 TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE TIRE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND MELT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING ON THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS P265/70R17. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AVAILABLE. THE FUEL SYSTEM, POWERTRAIN, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,625 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,620.
NHTSA ODI #10194440
81,175 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE UNDERWENT NORMAL DRIVING. 2. SUDDENLY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS HEARD. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER, AND WOULD CONTINUE WHENEVER THE ENGINE STARTED. THE ODOR OF GASOLINE AND OIL WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT INTO A FORD DEALERSH…
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VEHICLE UNDERWENT NORMAL DRIVING. 2. SUDDENLY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS HEARD. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER, AND WOULD CONTINUE WHENEVER THE ENGINE STARTED. THE ODOR OF GASOLINE AND OIL WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEAD AS REQUIRED BY FORD , HELICOIL, SPARK PLUG, AND IGNITION COIL HAD TO BE INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193667
95,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF AND THE BLOWER PRODUCED WARM AIR BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF AND THE BLOWER PRODUCED WARM AIR BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DEFROSTER VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. THE STATE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10193603
64,000 miles · Jun 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
64000 ON 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #2 PLUG WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. HAD A HELA COIL PUT IN. CONTACTED THE DEALER, NO RESPONSE, 2 WEEKS LATER 68000 BLEW THE #3 PLUG SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AGAIN HAD A HELA COIL REPAIR. AGAIN NO HELP FROM THE DEALER, AND TOLD THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON …
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64000 ON 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #2 PLUG WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. HAD A HELA COIL PUT IN. CONTACTED THE DEALER, NO RESPONSE, 2 WEEKS LATER 68000 BLEW THE #3 PLUG SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AGAIN HAD A HELA COIL REPAIR. AGAIN NO HELP FROM THE DEALER, AND TOLD THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THAT MOTOR . I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE IN MINNESOTA. BOTH REPAIRS WERE DONE AT A DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED REPLACING THE HEAD WA S THE CORRECT FIX, BUT FORD ALLOWED THEM TO DO HELA COILS, BUT IMAGINE THAT, THEY WON'T WARRANTY IT !! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193479
50,000 miles · Jun 7, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, BOTH REAR TIRES LOST THEIR TREAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. ON JUNE 5, 2007, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, BOTH REAR TIRES LOST THEIR TREAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. ON JUNE 5, 2007, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME TIRE FAILURE WITH THE REAR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE DRIVING SPEED AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ALSO THE SAME. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC AW (P27560R17), WHICH WERE RECALLED UNDER NOTICE # 02T012000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT) ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES ALONG WITH THE TIRE TO SEND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS, MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEMATIC TIRES, AND ALSO A COPY OF THE RECALL FOR PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT OF THE TIRES. UPDATED 08/06/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10192640
24,000 miles · May 15, 2007
Power Train
CLUTCH FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED, BY ME, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SYSTEMATIC OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL PASSENGERS NOTICED AND EVENTUALLY IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT FELT LIKE A VERY UNSAFE AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. DEALER IS CHARGING $1600 HALF O…
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CLUTCH FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED, BY ME, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SYSTEMATIC OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL PASSENGERS NOTICED AND EVENTUALLY IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT FELT LIKE A VERY UNSAFE AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. DEALER IS CHARGING $1600 HALF OF WHICH IS PARTS. NEXT WEEK WHEN I GET THE VEHICLE BACK, WILL DETERMINE IF I AM KEEPING THE CAR OR HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OR FUTURE PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190748
55,000 miles · May 4, 2007
Electrical System
ALTERNATOR FAILED AT 55,000 MILES, SEEMS A BIT EARLY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. REPLACED WITH NEW, BATTERY LIGHT AND CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING WILL NOT GO OFF. BOTH ALT AND BATTERY TESTED FINE ON ANALYZER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189729
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
59,022 miles · Apr 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON APRIL 13, 2007 MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE BLEW OUT THE #3 SPARK PLUG DESTROYING THE THREADS AND REQUIRING A TOTAL HEAD REPLACEMENT. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, IN SPITE OF THE FACT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS $3655.22. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMM…
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ON APRIL 13, 2007 MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE BLEW OUT THE #3 SPARK PLUG DESTROYING THE THREADS AND REQUIRING A TOTAL HEAD REPLACEMENT. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, IN SPITE OF THE FACT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS $3655.22. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188541
40,000 miles · Mar 30, 2007
Power Train
TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RESEARCHING THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 40,000. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE HAD A VIBRATION OF THE CLUTCH SLIP DIFFERENTI…
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TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RESEARCHING THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 40,000. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE HAD A VIBRATION OF THE CLUTCH SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10186585
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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