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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
8,000 miles · Feb 4, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

2003 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION: 3 INCIDENCES WHERE WHEN STOPPING , ONCE IN LINE AT MCDONALDS AND TWICE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE MOTOR ACCELERATES AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE OVER 3 WEEKS AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEY CANNOT DUPL…

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2003 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION: 3 INCIDENCES WHERE WHEN STOPPING , ONCE IN LINE AT MCDONALDS AND TWICE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE MOTOR ACCELERATES AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE OVER 3 WEEKS AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM-THEIR CONTENTION IS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM. I REFUSE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. IF THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE AND TAKE THIS ONE TO ENGINEERS TO RESEARCH SAFETY HAZARD. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 9,000 MILES IT IS STILL A NEW VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10056502

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2004
Power TrainCrash

MY 2003 EXPEDITION HAS HAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAIL TWICE IN LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME WITH 1668 MILES ON IT, THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF MY 22 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER. THE SECOND TIME IT FAILED THE VEHICLE HAD 5142 MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ODI #10056183

145,000 miles · Jan 28, 2004
Tires

CONTINENTAL TIRES, SIZE P265/70R15; WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10056013

14,723 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Electrical System

DURING A RECENT TRIP TO DENVER, THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 20 DEGREES AND THE BACK-UP WARNING BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ADVANCE TRAC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ALTHOUGH I CYCLED THE SWITCH, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT COME ONLINE. THE BACK-UP WARNING SYSTEM EITHER EMITTED A CONSTANT TONE, EVEN THOUGH NOTHING WAS BEHIN…

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DURING A RECENT TRIP TO DENVER, THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 20 DEGREES AND THE BACK-UP WARNING BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ADVANCE TRAC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ALTHOUGH I CYCLED THE SWITCH, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT COME ONLINE. THE BACK-UP WARNING SYSTEM EITHER EMITTED A CONSTANT TONE, EVEN THOUGH NOTHING WAS BEHIND ME OR I COULD GET RIGHT NEXT TO SOMETHING AND IT FAILED TO ALARM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT IS AN INTERMITTANT PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURS WHEN IT IS COLD, THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO, AS THEIR SHOPS ARE HEATED TO ABOUT 68 DEGREES. THIS VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS WITH THE SIDE MIRRORS MOVING OF THEIR OWN ACCORD. THE DIRECTION IS NOT ISOLATED TO A SINGLE DIRECTION. SOMETIMES THEY MOVE UP AND OTHER TIMES DOWN. MOSTLY WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN BOTH. IN SOME CASES IT IS ONLY A MINOR CHANGE AND AT OTHER TIMES IT IS QUITE DRASTIC. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE MINOR CHANGES ARE BECAUSE I SIT IN THE SEAT DIFFERENTLY EACH TIME I SIT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE MAJOR CHANGES IN SETTINGS CANNOT BE DUPLICATED AND THEREFORE, THEY CANNOT FIX IT. ASIDE FROM THIS, I ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WERE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS AND WAS TOLD NO. ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE PAGE THAT THEY PROVIDE, THERE ARE 8 RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NOTIFED ME OF THESE RECALLS. THE RECALLS ARE: 01V310000, 02V154000, 02V018008, 02V317000, 03V074000, 03V094000, 03V251000, 03V317000, AND 03V362000. WHEN I LOOK THESE UP ON YOUR SITE, THEY SHOW THAT THEY DO NOT BELONG TO MY VEHICLE AS MOST ARE FOR RVS, WHICH MAKES THIS ALL THE MORE CONFUSING. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10054732

23,000 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10055672

7,500 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Steering

VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED NOTICEABLE PLAY/SHIMMY IN STEERING. WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW PLAY WAS NOT THERE. IT WAS MENTIONED TO DEALER. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE OVER BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER SURFACES LIKE RAIN GROOVES, OR ANY SURFACE LESS THAN SMOOTH, VEHICLE WANDERS/SHAKES BAD. I TEST DROVE …

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VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED NOTICEABLE PLAY/SHIMMY IN STEERING. WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW PLAY WAS NOT THERE. IT WAS MENTIONED TO DEALER. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE OVER BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER SURFACES LIKE RAIN GROOVES, OR ANY SURFACE LESS THAN SMOOTH, VEHICLE WANDERS/SHAKES BAD. I TEST DROVE A COUPLE OF SIMILAR VEHICLES AT DIFFERENT DEALERS, NEITHER VEHICLE HAD THE 'PLAY' IN THE STEERING. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 7500-8000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10054500

7,000 miles · Jan 20, 2004
Tires

RIGHT REAR CONTINENTAL CONITRAC TIRE ON 2003 FORD EXPEDTION BLEW AT HIGHWAY SPEED(65-67MPH). HIGHWAY CONDTIONS WERE NORMAL. FORD DEALER EXAMINED TIRE AND COULD FIND NO FOREGIN OBJECT TO CAUSE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. THEY SENT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO DETERMINED SAME THING. FORD/DEALER REIMBURSED ME FOR THE NEW TIRE, BUT DID NOT…

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RIGHT REAR CONTINENTAL CONITRAC TIRE ON 2003 FORD EXPEDTION BLEW AT HIGHWAY SPEED(65-67MPH). HIGHWAY CONDTIONS WERE NORMAL. FORD DEALER EXAMINED TIRE AND COULD FIND NO FOREGIN OBJECT TO CAUSE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. THEY SENT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO DETERMINED SAME THING. FORD/DEALER REIMBURSED ME FOR THE NEW TIRE, BUT DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE OTHER 3, WHICH THOSE TIRES CONCERN ME THAT THEY MAY BLOW AT ANY TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10054498

1 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PADS WEAR PREMATURELY AND SCORE ROTORS, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10054311

200 miles · Jan 16, 2004
Tires

AFTER 200 MILES I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, FLOORBOARDS, AND STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC 17 INCH TIRES. FORD TRIED FORCE ALIGNING THE TIRES. FORD MOTOR CO. AND DEALER SAYS IF I WANT A BETTER RIDE I NEED TO BUY NEW TIRES. I FOUGHT THEM ON THIS AND THEY BOUGHT ME BRAND NEW BF GOODRICH LONG TRAIL…

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AFTER 200 MILES I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, FLOORBOARDS, AND STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC 17 INCH TIRES. FORD TRIED FORCE ALIGNING THE TIRES. FORD MOTOR CO. AND DEALER SAYS IF I WANT A BETTER RIDE I NEED TO BUY NEW TIRES. I FOUGHT THEM ON THIS AND THEY BOUGHT ME BRAND NEW BF GOODRICH LONG TRAIL TIRES. I STILL HAVE VIBRATION. I FEEL THAT THIS PROVES IT IS THE EXPEDITION AND NOT THE TIRES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD! *CB

NHTSA ODI #10054275

1,000 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

WITHIN 1,000 MILES THE BACK UP SENSOR RANG WHEN EVER YOU PUT THE CAR INTO RESERVE - HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES STILL DOES IT TODAY. WITHIN 5,000 THE MIRRORS WOULD TILT TOO FAR TO THE OUTSIDE THEN POP AS THEY TRIED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FURTHER OUTSIDE. WITHIN 18,000 1)ADVANCETRAC LIGHT CAME CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO LOCK…

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WITHIN 1,000 MILES THE BACK UP SENSOR RANG WHEN EVER YOU PUT THE CAR INTO RESERVE - HAS BEEN SERVICED THREE TIMES STILL DOES IT TODAY. WITHIN 5,000 THE MIRRORS WOULD TILT TOO FAR TO THE OUTSIDE THEN POP AS THEY TRIED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FURTHER OUTSIDE. WITHIN 18,000 1)ADVANCETRAC LIGHT CAME CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO LOCK UP WHEN TURNING LEFT AND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TO LOCK UP WHEN TURNING RIGHT. ENGINE WAS SHUTTING DOWN GOING TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE OUT TO NEXT GEAR UNTIL VERY HIGH RPM. POP AND CLICKING NOISES FROM UNDER THE DASH (FRONT PASSANGER AND DRIVE SIDE). ENGINE WOULD NOT START. - AUTHORIZED FORD BLUE OVAL REPAIR CENTER HAS REPLACED 2 ABS MODULES, THE BATTERY, MADE REPAIRS TO THE WIRING HARNESS, REPLACED TWO OTHER COMPUTER MODULES. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THREE WEEKS AND RETURNED THREE TIMES. VEHICLE IS STILL NOT CORRECT.

NHTSA ODI #10053030

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.