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2005 Ford Expedition

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Expedition years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Expedition are substantially higher than the model-year median of 155.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

289 reports with mileage · 26 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports6 fire reports10 injury reports

Tires complaints

8 reports
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130,000 miles · Jun 26, 2020
TiresWheels

COOPER TIRES 265/70/17 DISCOVERER M+S. BELT SEPARATION AND TIRE DEFORMITY ON 3 OF 4 TIRES IN THE LAST 1000 MILES. 2 FAILED WITHIN THE LAST 200 MILES. IN MOTION, HIGHWAY. . SEVERE VIBRATION OCCURRED. (THINK PAINT MIXER) LOW USE 80% TREAD REMAINS. MAX USE OF 3K MILES PER YEAR BUT NOT ALL YEARS. PURCHASED IN 2013. DOT RM1Y…

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COOPER TIRES 265/70/17 DISCOVERER M+S. BELT SEPARATION AND TIRE DEFORMITY ON 3 OF 4 TIRES IN THE LAST 1000 MILES. 2 FAILED WITHIN THE LAST 200 MILES. IN MOTION, HIGHWAY. . SEVERE VIBRATION OCCURRED. (THINK PAINT MIXER) LOW USE 80% TREAD REMAINS. MAX USE OF 3K MILES PER YEAR BUT NOT ALL YEARS. PURCHASED IN 2013. DOT RM1Y C6J 2412 COOPER CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS I DIDN'T USE THEM ENOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331020

20,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: P265/70/R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES EXHIBITED CRACKS AND SEVERE OUTER TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: P265/70/R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES EXHIBITED CRACKS AND SEVERE OUTER TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10744636

68,550 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION EQUIPPED WITH MIRADA, TIRE LINE: CROSS TOUR SLX, TIRE SIZE: 265/70R17, AND DOT NUMBER: CC70-V2L3011 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRES BOTH EXPERIENCED SEVERE SIDE WALL CRACKING AND SEPARATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION EQUIPPED WITH MIRADA, TIRE LINE: CROSS TOUR SLX, TIRE SIZE: 265/70R17, AND DOT NUMBER: CC70-V2L3011 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRES BOTH EXPERIENCED SEVERE SIDE WALL CRACKING AND SEPARATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12T014000 (TIRES). THE FAILURE TIRE AND VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 68,550.

NHTSA ODI #10630113

30,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
TiresCrash

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED TO HOLD TOGETHER. A "THUMPING" SOUND WAS HEAD JUST PRIOR TO THE TIRE EXPLODING. DIVER MAINTAINED CONTROL AFTER HITTING THE RETAINING WALL ALONG THE FREEWAY. VEHILE IMPACTED RATAINING WALL ONCE, THEN SPUN AND INPACTED IT AGAIN TOTALING THE VEHICLE AFTER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. UPON THE …

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WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED TO HOLD TOGETHER. A "THUMPING" SOUND WAS HEAD JUST PRIOR TO THE TIRE EXPLODING. DIVER MAINTAINED CONTROL AFTER HITTING THE RETAINING WALL ALONG THE FREEWAY. VEHILE IMPACTED RATAINING WALL ONCE, THEN SPUN AND INPACTED IT AGAIN TOTALING THE VEHICLE AFTER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. UPON THE ON SCENE INSPECTION, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE SEPARATED AND LOST ALL TREAD. NO DEATHS HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF THE DRIVER NOT PANICING AND MAINTAINING WHAT CONTROL SHE WAS ABLE TO. TIRE WAS A CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520881

70,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineTiresVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION LIMITED. MY COMPLAINT IS THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN AND YOU LOOSE ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AT SPEEDS OF 55+ MPH AS WELL AS SPEEDS OF APPROX LESS THAN 10 MPH, SUCH AS WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN THE …

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I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION LIMITED. MY COMPLAINT IS THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN AND YOU LOOSE ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AT SPEEDS OF 55+ MPH AS WELL AS SPEEDS OF APPROX LESS THAN 10 MPH, SUCH AS WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2009, AND HAS HAPPENED EVERY MONTH SINCE, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE MONTH. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT TESTED AND WERE TOLD IT WAS A TPS SENSOR. THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED ($75.00) BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 EXPEDITIONS. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, ONE OF WHICH HAS HAD IT REPLACED TWICE NOW. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN SINCE YOU DO LOOSE ALL POWER AND HAVE TO TRY TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHILE TRYING TO AVOID BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE RESULT WILL BE A ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REPAIR COST FOR JUST THE PARTS IS $600.00, BUT THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART BEFORE SOMEONE DOES DIE OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED, AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. FORD AND THEIR DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO HAVE THE CONSUMER PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD TPS SENSOR, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL DOING THIS AND DO STILL HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY THAT IS BAD ON THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE INFORMATION CENTER IN THE DASH TELLS YOU TO "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CABLE". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316047

64,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
TiresCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES FLATTENED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES FLATTENED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10279238

1,976 miles · Apr 20, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS SEVERE CUPPING AND CHOPPING. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE ORIGINAL AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT IS THE ONLY TIRE WITH THIS DEFECT. THE TIRE PRESSURE IS 35PSI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE APRIL 6TH, 2006 WHE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS SEVERE CUPPING AND CHOPPING. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE ORIGINAL AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT IS THE ONLY TIRE WITH THIS DEFECT. THE TIRE PRESSURE IS 35PSI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE APRIL 6TH, 2006 WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER IS CONTINENTAL HOWEVER THE MODEL AND TIRE LINE ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10155743

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

GEORGE NEWCOMB LANDERS MCLARTY 2609 SOUTH WALTON BENTONVILLE, AR 72712 I PURCHASED A 2005 EXPEDITION FROM YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO. ON 11-23-05 I BROUGHT IT OVER TO HAVE SOME DEFECTS REPAIRED. DEFECTS THAT WERE TO BE FIXED. TRANSMISSION. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL IF YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL RO…

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GEORGE NEWCOMB LANDERS MCLARTY 2609 SOUTH WALTON BENTONVILLE, AR 72712 I PURCHASED A 2005 EXPEDITION FROM YOU A FEW WEEKS AGO. ON 11-23-05 I BROUGHT IT OVER TO HAVE SOME DEFECTS REPAIRED. DEFECTS THAT WERE TO BE FIXED. TRANSMISSION. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL IF YOU REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENS IF YOU ARE STOPPED WITH THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE GOING DOWN A HILL OF IN DRIVE GOING UP A HILL. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT AT ODD TIMES AS YOU ARE DRIVING. REAR PASSENGER DOME LIGHT FLICKERS WHEN YOU TURN IN ON WITH THE SWITCH IN THE BACK. RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FLASHES VERY FAST. TIRES ARE VERY BAD OUT OF BALANCE. DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT LATCH UNLESS IT IS SHUT HARD. I TOLD JESSE THAT THEY HAD TO BE DONE BY 5:00 PM. AFTER KEEPING THE VEHICLE ALL DAY NOTHING WAS FIXED. DURING MY VISIT IN YOUR OFFICE ON 12-9-05 YOU ASSURED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE REPLACED. YOU ALSO STATED THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE BAD TIRES AND WOULD REPLACE THEM NOW THAT I HAD COMPLAINED. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE THE FOLLOWING NEW DEFECTS HAVE BEEN FOUND. TURN SIGNALS WILL SOMETIMES NOT WORK AT ALL. WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN THE REAR END WILL SLIP. YOU CAN FILL IT NOT HOLDING THE ROAD. OUTSIDE FUMES ARE SUCKED INTO THE VEHICLE. ANY SMELL OR EXHAUST FROM THIS OR OTHER VEHICLES IS PULLED INSIDE. THE LEATHER ON THE FRONT SEATS HAS TURNED BLACK. THE TRANSMISSION, REAR END PROBLEM AND TIRES ARE ALL MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS. THESE MUST BE FIXED. I FEEL THAT HAVING MY WIFE DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH THESE PROBLEMS IS PUTTING HER IN DANGER. THE TURN SIGNALS AND LIGHT PROBLEM ARE POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARDS. THE UNCONTROLLED AIR INTAKE IS A PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE PEOPLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE TO BE GASSED BY A PASSING VEHICLE. MY WIFE HAS VERY BAD ALLERGIES WHEN THESE SMELLS ARE PULLED INTO THE VEHICLE SHE HAS TROUBLE BREATHING. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANYTHING MADE FROM LEATHER THAT HAS CHANGED COLORS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145852

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

PE08070 · Steel Wheel Fracture

Opened Dec 9, 2008 · Closed Apr 15, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:rim

FORD SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLE (SSV) EXPEDITIONS USE A STEEL FULL FACE WHEEL DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT INVESTIGATED IN PE03009, RQ04007, EA04034 (CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR) AND PE03026 (GM PICKUPS AND SUVS).A TOTAL OF 8,251 SSVS (2.2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION) WERE PRODUCED WITHIN MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 AND SOLD PRIMARILY FOR USE BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) AGENCIES.FORD STIPULATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR HIGH SPEED OR PURSUIT OPERATIONS AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A 2004 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE VEHICLE EVALUATION REPORT WHICH ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THIS LIMITATION. THE FULL FACE WHEEL IS FABRICATED FROM TWO PIECES: A STAMPED OUTER WHEEL DISC AND A FORMED RIM.THE TWO PIECES, WHICH TOGETHER COMPRISE THE OUTER BEAD SEAT, ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD.A CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT OCCURS IN THE OUTER BEAD SEAT AREA AS THE WHEEL ROTATES, RESULTING IN FATIGUE STRESSES IN THE WELD'S HEAT AFFECTED ZONE THAT CAN LEAD TO FRACTURING (CRACKING) OF THE RIM MATERIAL.BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURS UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD, AIR LEAKAGE MAY NOT READILY OCCUR WHEN THE RIM CRACKS, DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THE BEAD SEALS ON THE RIM.IF MULTIPLE CRACKS GROW UNDETECTED AND SUDDENLY JOIN INTO A SINGLE LARGE CRACK, THE WHEEL'S STRUCTURE CAN BECOME COMPROMISED LEADING TO RAPID AIR LOSS.A RAPID AIR LOSS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEED, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. FORD RESPONDED TO ODI'S JANUARY 5, 2009 INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) ON FEBRUARY 24.FORD'S RESPONSE ACKNOWLEDGES A NUMBER OF WHEEL FRACTURES ON THE SSVS.HOWEVER, BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PERTINENT FACTORS, IT CONCLUDES THAT THE CONDITION DOES NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY.THE LACK OF REPORTS OF RAPID AIR LOSS, NO ALLEGED CRASHES, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT THAT A CRACKED WHEEL CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH SLOW, REPEATED AIR LOSS OR VIBRATION, WERE THE BASES FOR FORD'S CONCLUSION.FORD DISCUSSES THE RESULTS OF A STUDY IT PERFORMED ON WHEELS RETURNED FROM LE FIELD USE, DESIGN REVISIONS IT MADE TO THE SUBJECT WHEEL, AND THE OUTCOME OF DURABILITY TESTING IT CONDUCTED ON THE OLD AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS. THE COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE A DUPLICATE ODI AND FORD REPORT; THE FORD COUNTS ARE UNIQUE VEHICLES ALLEGING WHEEL FRACTURE(S).SOME WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVED MORE THAN ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT.ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN VEHICLES INVESTIGATED IN THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO-PIECE WHEEL FRACTURE, ODI DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES, RAPID AIR LOSS EVENTS DUE TO WHEEL FRACTURES OR ALLEGATIONS OF EFFECTS ON VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY, AS WERE THE CASES IN PAST INVESTIGATIONS WHERE SAFETY RECALLS WERE CONDUCTED TO REPLACE AFFECTED WHEELS.THE AGENCY AGREES THAT THE SSV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PURSUIT OR HIGH SPEED USAGE, REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES OR LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS TO BE CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT. FORD IMPLEMENTED A 'SHOT PEENING' PROCESS IN JUNE 2006 WHICH REDUCED THE WHEEL'S SURFACE STRESS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ITS DURABILITY, AND ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES OF SHOT PEENED WHEELS (SERVICE PART NUMBER 7L1Z-1015-B).FORD'S TESTING SHOWED A SLIGHTLY REDUCED DURABILITY FOR THE NON-SHOT PEENED WHEELS WHEN 'LT' INSTEAD OF FORD APPROVED 'P' METRIC TYPE TIRES ARE USED. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FURTHER C

Additional source detail variants (2)

Wheels

FORD SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLE (SSV) EXPEDITIONS USE A STEEL FULL FACE WHEEL DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT INVESTIGATED IN PE03009, RQ04007, EA04034 (CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR) AND PE03026 (GM PICKUPS AND SUVS).A TOTAL OF 8,251 SSVS (2.2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION) WERE PRODUCED WITHIN MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 AND SOLD PRIMARILY FOR USE BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) AGENCIES.FORD STIPULATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR HIGH SPEED OR PURSUIT OPERATIONS AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A 2004 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE VEHICLE EVALUATION REPORT WHICH ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THIS LIMITATION. THE FULL FACE WHEEL IS FABRICATED FROM TWO PIECES: A STAMPED OUTER WHEEL DISC AND A FORMED RIM.THE TWO PIECES, WHICH TOGETHER COMPRISE THE OUTER BEAD SEAT, ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD.A CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT OCCURS IN THE OUTER BEAD SEAT AREA AS THE WHEEL ROTATES, RESULTING IN FATIGUE STRESSES IN THE WELD'S HEAT AFFECTED ZONE THAT CAN LEAD TO FRACTURING (CRACKING) OF THE RIM MATERIAL.BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURS UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD, AIR LEAKAGE MAY NOT READILY OCCUR WHEN THE RIM CRACKS, DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THE BEAD SEALS ON THE RIM.IF MULTIPLE CRACKS GROW UNDETECTED AND SUDDENLY JOIN INTO A SINGLE LARGE CRACK, THE WHEEL'S STRUCTURE CAN BECOME COMPROMISED LEADING TO RAPID AIR LOSS.A RAPID AIR LOSS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEED, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. FORD RESPONDED TO ODI'S JANUARY 5, 2009 INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) ON FEBRUARY 24.FORD'S RESPONSE ACKNOWLEDGES A NUMBER OF WHEEL FRACTURES ON THE SSVS.HOWEVER, BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PERTINENT FACTORS, IT CONCLUDES THAT THE CONDITION DOES NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY.THE LACK OF REPORTS OF RAPID AIR LOSS, NO ALLEGED CRASHES, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT THAT A CRACKED WHEEL CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH SLOW, REPEATED AIR LOSS OR VIBRATION, WERE THE BASES FOR FORD'S CONCLUSION.FORD DISCUSSES THE RESULTS OF A STUDY IT PERFORMED ON WHEELS RETURNED FROM LE FIELD USE, DESIGN REVISIONS IT MADE TO THE SUBJECT WHEEL, AND THE OUTCOME OF DURABILITY TESTING IT CONDUCTED ON THE OLD AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS. THE COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE A DUPLICATE ODI AND FORD REPORT; THE FORD COUNTS ARE UNIQUE VEHICLES ALLEGING WHEEL FRACTURE(S).SOME WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVED MORE THAN ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT.ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN VEHICLES INVESTIGATED IN THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO-PIECE WHEEL FRACTURE, ODI DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES, RAPID AIR LOSS EVENTS DUE TO WHEEL FRACTURES OR ALLEGATIONS OF EFFECTS ON VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY, AS WERE THE CASES IN PAST INVESTIGATIONS WHERE SAFETY RECALLS WERE CONDUCTED TO REPLACE AFFECTED WHEELS.THE AGENCY AGREES THAT THE SSV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PURSUIT OR HIGH SPEED USAGE, REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES OR LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS TO BE CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT. FORD IMPLEMENTED A 'SHOT PEENING' PROCESS IN JUNE 2006 WHICH REDUCED THE WHEEL'S SURFACE STRESS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ITS DURABILITY, AND ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES OF SHOT PEENED WHEELS (SERVICE PART NUMBER 7L1Z-1015-B).FORD'S TESTING SHOWED A SLIGHTLY REDUCED DURABILITY FOR THE NON-SHOT PEENED WHEELS WHEN 'LT' INSTEAD OF FORD APPROVED 'P' METRIC TYPE TIRES ARE USED. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FURTHER C

Wheels:rim

FORD SPECIAL SERVICE VEHICLE (SSV) EXPEDITIONS USE A STEEL FULL FACE WHEEL DESIGN SIMILAR TO THAT INVESTIGATED IN PE03009, RQ04007, EA04034 (CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR) AND PE03026 (GM PICKUPS AND SUVS).A TOTAL OF 8,251 SSVS (2.2% OF TOTAL PRODUCTION) WERE PRODUCED WITHIN MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 AND SOLD PRIMARILY FOR USE BY STATE, FEDERAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (LE) AGENCIES.FORD STIPULATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR HIGH SPEED OR PURSUIT OPERATIONS AND ALSO IDENTIFIED A 2004 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE VEHICLE EVALUATION REPORT WHICH ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THIS LIMITATION. THE FULL FACE WHEEL IS FABRICATED FROM TWO PIECES: A STAMPED OUTER WHEEL DISC AND A FORMED RIM.THE TWO PIECES, WHICH TOGETHER COMPRISE THE OUTER BEAD SEAT, ARE JOINED TOGETHER WITH A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD.A CYCLIC BENDING MOMENT OCCURS IN THE OUTER BEAD SEAT AREA AS THE WHEEL ROTATES, RESULTING IN FATIGUE STRESSES IN THE WELD'S HEAT AFFECTED ZONE THAT CAN LEAD TO FRACTURING (CRACKING) OF THE RIM MATERIAL.BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURS UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD, AIR LEAKAGE MAY NOT READILY OCCUR WHEN THE RIM CRACKS, DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THE BEAD SEALS ON THE RIM.IF MULTIPLE CRACKS GROW UNDETECTED AND SUDDENLY JOIN INTO A SINGLE LARGE CRACK, THE WHEEL'S STRUCTURE CAN BECOME COMPROMISED LEADING TO RAPID AIR LOSS.A RAPID AIR LOSS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEED, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. FORD RESPONDED TO ODI'S JANUARY 5, 2009 INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) ON FEBRUARY 24.FORD'S RESPONSE ACKNOWLEDGES A NUMBER OF WHEEL FRACTURES ON THE SSVS.HOWEVER, BASED ON ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE PERTINENT FACTORS, IT CONCLUDES THAT THE CONDITION DOES NOT REPRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY.THE LACK OF REPORTS OF RAPID AIR LOSS, NO ALLEGED CRASHES, AND THEIR ASSESSMENT THAT A CRACKED WHEEL CAN BE DETECTED THROUGH SLOW, REPEATED AIR LOSS OR VIBRATION, WERE THE BASES FOR FORD'S CONCLUSION.FORD DISCUSSES THE RESULTS OF A STUDY IT PERFORMED ON WHEELS RETURNED FROM LE FIELD USE, DESIGN REVISIONS IT MADE TO THE SUBJECT WHEEL, AND THE OUTCOME OF DURABILITY TESTING IT CONDUCTED ON THE OLD AND NEW WHEEL DESIGNS. THE COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE INCLUDE A DUPLICATE ODI AND FORD REPORT; THE FORD COUNTS ARE UNIQUE VEHICLES ALLEGING WHEEL FRACTURE(S).SOME WARRANTY CLAIMS INVOLVED MORE THAN ONE WHEEL REPLACEMENT.ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME THAN VEHICLES INVESTIGATED IN THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF TWO-PIECE WHEEL FRACTURE, ODI DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES, RAPID AIR LOSS EVENTS DUE TO WHEEL FRACTURES OR ALLEGATIONS OF EFFECTS ON VEHICLE CONTROL OR STABILITY, AS WERE THE CASES IN PAST INVESTIGATIONS WHERE SAFETY RECALLS WERE CONDUCTED TO REPLACE AFFECTED WHEELS.THE AGENCY AGREES THAT THE SSV IS NOT SUITABLE FOR PURSUIT OR HIGH SPEED USAGE, REDUCING THE POTENTIAL FOR CRASHES OR LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS TO BE CAUSED BY THE ALLEGED DEFECT. FORD IMPLEMENTED A 'SHOT PEENING' PROCESS IN JUNE 2006 WHICH REDUCED THE WHEEL'S SURFACE STRESS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED ITS DURABILITY, AND ODI IS UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES OF SHOT PEENED WHEELS (SERVICE PART NUMBER 7L1Z-1015-B).FORD'S TESTING SHOWED A SLIGHTLY REDUCED DURABILITY FOR THE NON-SHOT PEENED WHEELS WHEN 'LT' INSTEAD OF FORD APPROVED 'P' METRIC TYPE TIRES ARE USED. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FURTHER C