NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
66 reportsClear category filter152,600 miles · Jun 26, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR AT TIMES WILL GIVE A HARD START. TURNING, BUT NOT FULLY TURNING OVER OR GIVES OFF A SOUND THAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS AN ELEPHANT TRUMPETING. WHEN IT DOES START AT TIMES IT WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF JUST AS FAST. IT HESITATES TO PICK UP ADEQUATE SPEED AND WILL STUMBLE OR JERK, AND WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT WILL COMPLETELY STA…
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MY CAR AT TIMES WILL GIVE A HARD START. TURNING, BUT NOT FULLY TURNING OVER OR GIVES OFF A SOUND THAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS AN ELEPHANT TRUMPETING. WHEN IT DOES START AT TIMES IT WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF JUST AS FAST. IT HESITATES TO PICK UP ADEQUATE SPEED AND WILL STUMBLE OR JERK, AND WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT WILL COMPLETELY STALL OUT. I'VE HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND BOOTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
NHTSA ODI #11222664
160,000 miles · Dec 30, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
TWICE I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" MESSAGE CAME ON. ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK, COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD-- 2ND TIME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC!! BOTH TIMES I TURNED OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED OK, BUT I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. DRIVING STRAIGHT ON C…
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TWICE I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" MESSAGE CAME ON. ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK, COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD-- 2ND TIME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC!! BOTH TIMES I TURNED OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED OK, BUT I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. DRIVING STRAIGHT ON CITY STREET BOTH TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10938725
186,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlWheels
I HAVE AN 05 EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION AND THE TRUCK WAS SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING WHILE ON INCLINE OR DRIVING. IT ALSO WOULD HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. THE NEXT DAY THE TRUCK WILL ONLY ROLL IN REVERSE IT WILL NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND THE "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" MESSAGE CONTINUES TO POP UP. DROVE IT AND ALL OF A SU…
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I HAVE AN 05 EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER EDITION AND THE TRUCK WAS SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING WHILE ON INCLINE OR DRIVING. IT ALSO WOULD HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. THE NEXT DAY THE TRUCK WILL ONLY ROLL IN REVERSE IT WILL NOT DRIVE FORWARD AND THE "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" MESSAGE CONTINUES TO POP UP. DROVE IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULDN'T SHIFT, AND ALL GAUGES WENT FLAT, TRUCK WAS STILL REVVING BUT GAUGES WERE AT ZERO AND THE TRUCK WOULDN'T MOVE. I WAS GOING 60 MPH. AND IT JUST STOPPED MOVING COMPLETELY. CANNOT DRIVE THE TRUCK.
NHTSA ODI #10910103
120,000 miles · Jun 25, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 EXPEDITION IS MAINTAINED NORMALLY AND SPARK PLUGS CHANGED AND THE ENGINE WILL EITHER CUT OFF OR SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A ERROR MESSAGE FAIL SAVE MODE. MOST TIMES WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TURNS OVER BUT DOESN'T STAY ON. TOTALLY UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. PLEAS…
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MY 2005 EXPEDITION IS MAINTAINED NORMALLY AND SPARK PLUGS CHANGED AND THE ENGINE WILL EITHER CUT OFF OR SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A ERROR MESSAGE FAIL SAVE MODE. MOST TIMES WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TURNS OVER BUT DOESN'T STAY ON. TOTALLY UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE RESEARCH AND RECALL WHAT THE ISSUE IS! THIS ISSUE HAS STARTED ABOUT 4 YEARS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING MAYBE ONE TO TWO TIMES A MONTH SINCE.
NHTSA ODI #10876578
115,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
RED LIGHT UP AHEAD. DRIVER SLOWING DOWN GIVING PLENTY OF SPACE. ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND VEHICLE STARTED SPEEDING UP. DRIVER PUSHED BRAKE AS HARD AS SHE COULD. VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED BEFORE ACCELERATION BUT ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 10 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. 2005 FORD EXPEDITION STRUCK REAR OF CAR WHICH WAS STOPPED AT THE R…
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RED LIGHT UP AHEAD. DRIVER SLOWING DOWN GIVING PLENTY OF SPACE. ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND VEHICLE STARTED SPEEDING UP. DRIVER PUSHED BRAKE AS HARD AS SHE COULD. VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED BEFORE ACCELERATION BUT ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 10 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. 2005 FORD EXPEDITION STRUCK REAR OF CAR WHICH WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AT GAS STATION TO CHECK FOR MECHANICAL PROBLEM- NO DEFECT FOUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10690108
90,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
FOR THE 3RD TIME IN THE PAST YEAR I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH - ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON, MESSAGE "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" COMES ON - I HAVE NO POWER, I COAST TO THE SIDE LANE TURN ON HAZARD LIGHTS, TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION. RESTART THE CAR (TAKES A COUPLE OF TRIES) AND CONTINUE - THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGE…
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FOR THE 3RD TIME IN THE PAST YEAR I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH - ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON, MESSAGE "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" COMES ON - I HAVE NO POWER, I COAST TO THE SIDE LANE TURN ON HAZARD LIGHTS, TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION. RESTART THE CAR (TAKES A COUPLE OF TRIES) AND CONTINUE - THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ( I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE) LOOKING ON LINE AND ON ONE SITE HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPEDITION/2005/ENGINE/VEHICLE_SPEED_CONTROL.SHTML THERE ARE 52 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER SITES REPORTING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TOMORROW - WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BE DOING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. - IT'S APPARENT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE- DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE DYING TO GET THE CAR MANUFACTURERS TO LISTEN TO THEIR CUSTOMERS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659429
11,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPEDITION AT 25MPH AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. I STOPPED. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT I COULDN'T. MY RPM WHERE MOVING BUT CAR WOULD NOT. THEN THE CHECK ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL MESSAGE POPPED ON. CAR FINALLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE BUT DIED OUT. IT THEN RESTARTED AND DROVE NORMALLY FOR 4 BLOCKS, BEFORE NOT…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPEDITION AT 25MPH AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. I STOPPED. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT I COULDN'T. MY RPM WHERE MOVING BUT CAR WOULD NOT. THEN THE CHECK ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL MESSAGE POPPED ON. CAR FINALLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE BUT DIED OUT. IT THEN RESTARTED AND DROVE NORMALLY FOR 4 BLOCKS, BEFORE NOT ACCELERATING AT ALL. HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595809
155,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THEN STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THEN STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STILL SPUTTERED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
NHTSA ODI #10587877
122,000 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE SETTING AT A STOP LIGHT A WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT CHECKING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I COASTED INTO THE INTERSECTION ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE HAD NO RESPONSE. FORTUNATELY THE ENGINE IDLE WAS ENOUGH TO GET ME THROUGH THE INTERSECTION…
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WHILE SETTING AT A STOP LIGHT A WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT CHECKING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I COASTED INTO THE INTERSECTION ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE HAD NO RESPONSE. FORTUNATELY THE ENGINE IDLE WAS ENOUGH TO GET ME THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE LIGHT TURNED RED. I THEN COASTED TO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITH NO CHANGE IN ACCELERATOR PEDDLE RESPONSE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND SEEING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE I SEE I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPEN. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED WHEN THEIR VEHICLE JUST QUITS WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577352
83,000 miles · Mar 23, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING PUSHED. THE FOOT BRAKE WAS APPLIED WITH INCREASING FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS SLOWED THE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT DIDN'T STOP IT UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS R…
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AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING PUSHED. THE FOOT BRAKE WAS APPLIED WITH INCREASING FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS SLOWED THE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE DOWN, BUT DIDN'T STOP IT UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITHIN TWO MINUTES AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND GET PEOPLE KILLED. THIS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/BODY NEEDS TO BE RE-ENGINEERED AND A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PRODUCT. TOO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS NOT TO IGNORE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574265
NHTSA investigations
1PE08070 · 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
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