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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

What owners actually said

615 reports
120,000 miles · Apr 12, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70+ IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND ENGAGED THE FLASHERS. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHILE MANEUVERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AVOIDING MULTIPLE CLOSE CALLS. ONCE STOPPED, I PUT THE VEHIC…

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THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70+ IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND ENGAGED THE FLASHERS. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHILE MANEUVERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AVOIDING MULTIPLE CLOSE CALLS. ONCE STOPPED, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THE CAR RESTARTED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTOZONE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY FAULT CODES. ONE CODE INDICATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS AN ISSUE. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND DIRECTED ME TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT LOOK AT IT IMMEDIATELY SO I HAD MY SON PICK ME UP WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTICS ($95 FEE THAT WAS TOTALLY UNNECESSARY SINCE THIS IS A WELL KNOW FAILURE) ON THE CAR AND INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE FAULTY CENTRAL JUNCTION FUSE BOX LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FEET. PN 3L1Z-14-A068-AA-A11 @$517. INSTALLATION COSTS $215. WHEN I GOT HOME I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE BLOGS AND COMMENTS ARE OF MULTIPLE NEAR MISSED COLLISIONS AMONG OTHER THINGS. THIS PART FAILURE HAPPENED ON VEHICLES THAT WERE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME TO ANY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THIS PART WAS REDESIGNED FOR LATER FORD EXPEDITIONS BECAUSE FORD KNEW OF THE PROBLEM. IF YOU CONTACT ANY PICK AND PULL SALVAGE YARD YOU WILL FIND THAT ALL OF THESE CENTRAL JUNCTION BOX (FUSE BOXES) ARE NOT AVAILABLE SINCE EVERYONE TRIES TO REPLACE THEM BY THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COSTS. ALSO, THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES THAT WILL REPAIR THE FAULTY PART WITH A RE-ENGINEERED CIRCUIT. FORD HAS SINCE MADE A NEW PART WITH A DIFFERENT PN / MODEL NUMBER. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL IN THE FIRST YEAR. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND LIVES ARE AT STAKE.

NHTSA ODI #10972088

120,000 miles · Apr 12, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN FUSE BLOCK N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN FUSE BLOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10972072

35 miles · Apr 3, 2017
Suspension

MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAS A REAR END PROBLEM AND ITS NOW ROARING WHILE I'M ON THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER. I ALSO NOTICE THERE ARE OTHER FORD EXPEDITION HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE RECALL BULLETIN FOR THIS ITEM#10016789.NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 050618. REPLACE…

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MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAS A REAR END PROBLEM AND ITS NOW ROARING WHILE I'M ON THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER. I ALSO NOTICE THERE ARE OTHER FORD EXPEDITION HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE RECALL BULLETIN FOR THIS ITEM#10016789.NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 050618. REPLACEMENT# 05126.

NHTSA ODI #10970368

113,789 miles · Feb 4, 2017
Service Brakes

EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AFTER A 6 HOUR DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM NJ TO VA. PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 30 MINUTES, AND UPON BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PARKED THE CAR AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. FOUND BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH ON THE CROSS SUPPORT UNDER THE ENGIN…

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EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AFTER A 6 HOUR DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM NJ TO VA. PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 30 MINUTES, AND UPON BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PARKED THE CAR AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. FOUND BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH ON THE CROSS SUPPORT UNDER THE ENGINE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND MAJOR INJURY HAD THIS OCCURRED ON THE DRIVE IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS 113000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD OTHER MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES WITH OVER 200000 MILES AND NO BRAKE LINE ISSUES. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART/DESIGN ISSUE AND DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK, FORD SHOULD TAKE ACTION. WE HAD A 1990 F150 THAT HAD THE SAME ISSUE IN 2002 AT 100000 MILES. WE WILL BE CHECKING OUR 2004 F150 VERY CAREFULLY.

NHTSA ODI #10949609

180,000 miles · Jan 25, 2017
Electrical System

THE COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE CAR MAY STOP AT RANDOM TIMES. WE HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS A FUSE THAT BURNED OUT.... THAT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT A HIGHER SPEED. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJ…

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THE COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THE CAR MAY STOP AT RANDOM TIMES. WE HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. IT APPEARED THAT IT WAS A FUSE THAT BURNED OUT.... THAT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY BUT THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT A HIGHER SPEED. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FORD SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. I WAS TOLD FROM DEALERSHIP THAT WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE WATER RUNS DOWN THE SIDE AND GETS INTO THE FUSE BOX. THIS IS CAUSING A SHORT. SO, THE REASON IT WORKED THE FIRST TIME WAS BECAUSE WE ADDED A NEW FUSE. BUT, THE SECOND TIME THAT IT STOPPED IT BURNED THE FUSE BOX. NOW, I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE PART COSTING OVER $500. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT APPEARS TO BE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FORD SHOULD ISSUE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10947659

117,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Engine

SPARK PLUS BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE WHICH CAN CAUSE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10936298

157,000 miles · Dec 18, 2016
Engine

ALL 3 HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND IN COLD WEATHER PUTTING OCCUPANTS AT RISK. #1, #3 AND #7 SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN OUT OVER A PERIOD OF 15 MONTHS, DESTROYING THE COIL IN THE PROCESS. ALL WERE THE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS FROM THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT. READING AND TALKING WITH OTHER FORMER AND CURRENT MECHANIC…

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ALL 3 HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND IN COLD WEATHER PUTTING OCCUPANTS AT RISK. #1, #3 AND #7 SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN OUT OVER A PERIOD OF 15 MONTHS, DESTROYING THE COIL IN THE PROCESS. ALL WERE THE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS FROM THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT. READING AND TALKING WITH OTHER FORMER AND CURRENT MECHANICS, IT IS DEFINITELY A FORD DESIGN FLAW AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT, REIMBURSEMENT AND LIFETIME WARRANTY OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS JUNKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10936100

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2016
EngineFire

WE WERE WAITING IN LINE TO GO THROUGH SANTA'S MAGICAL KINGDOM LAST WEEKEND WHEN ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS SHOT OFF. COMPLETELY OFF. THE COIL PACK WAS DAMAGED AND WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD NEED TO BE RETHREADED.

NHTSA ODI #10935536

169,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Service BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN, THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER LOCATED IN THE REAR SEAT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK, WHICH REQUIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN, THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER LOCATED IN THE REAR SEAT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A HOTEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927434

30,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
TiresWheelsCrashInjury

2003 FORD EXPEDITION, WITH FACTORY ORIGINAL TIRES BY CONTINENTAL, HAD A TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON JUNE 11 WHICH RESULTED IN ONE DEATH AND FOUR SERIOUS INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A TREE...UPDATED 02/02/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10907217

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.