NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
66 reportsClear category filter77,000 miles · Mar 2, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING HOME DOWN A SLIGHT DECLINE, I HEARD A BEEP AND THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH READ (CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL) WHICH I THEN MENTALLY ADDED TO MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO. NOT UNTIL A NEEDED TO START ACCELERATING AGAIN DID I REALIZE THAT MY THROTTLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. LUCKILY, A WORD USED FREQUENTLY BY OTHER …
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WHILE DRIVING HOME DOWN A SLIGHT DECLINE, I HEARD A BEEP AND THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH READ (CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL) WHICH I THEN MENTALLY ADDED TO MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO. NOT UNTIL A NEEDED TO START ACCELERATING AGAIN DID I REALIZE THAT MY THROTTLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. LUCKILY, A WORD USED FREQUENTLY BY OTHER OWNERS TO DESCRIBE THIS SAME ISSUE, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WHILE OTHER VEHICLES WENT AROUND ME. TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING IT SEEMED TO "RESET" THE THROTTLE CONTROL. I DO NOT TRUST THAT IT WILL BE SAFE TO USE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT I ENCOUNTER. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, I AM SHOCKED THAT MORE ACTION (RECALL) HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN. DOES A CRASH, FIRE, INJURY, OR FATALITY NEED TO OCCUR BEFORE THIS CAN BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY? I AM BAFFLED THAT A WARNING MESSAGE CANNOT BE DISPLAYED IN ADVANCE OF COMPLETE THROTTLE FAILURE CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC OUTCOMES. THIS VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED/SERVICED NOVEMBER 2013. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566665
78,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN PHILADELPHIA, PA WITH MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AND I WAS DANGEROUSLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 95. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MESSAGE CAME ON. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND MY WIFE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT NOW IN FEAR O…
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WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN PHILADELPHIA, PA WITH MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AND I WAS DANGEROUSLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 95. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MESSAGE CAME ON. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND MY WIFE AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT NOW IN FEAR OF THIS INCIDENT OCCURRING AGAIN RESULTING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. BASED UPON MY RESEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED TO THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPEDITION OWNERS. I WOULD APPRECIATE THE PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED EXPEDITIOUSLY BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED AND/OR INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557981
170,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE SIX KIDS AND WHEN YOUR DRIVING AND YOUR CAR SHUTS OFF GOING 50-60 MILES AN HOURS AND GIVES YOU A MESSAGE FAIL SAFE MESSAGE, THAT'S PRETTY SCARY. I FIXED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR ONCE AND NOW HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS AND SURPRISED THAT THERE ARE NOT RECALLS. THIS IS ONE EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556436
133,000 miles · Sep 19, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING ON I-75 AT 78 MPH MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO POWER AND NEARLY WAS INVOLVED IN A 18 WHEELER HITTING ME. THE "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. ONCE I CALMED DOWN THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. I JUST HAD MY SECOND ISSUE WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHT AND ENGINE POWER SHUT…
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DRIVING ON I-75 AT 78 MPH MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO POWER AND NEARLY WAS INVOLVED IN A 18 WHEELER HITTING ME. THE "CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. ONCE I CALMED DOWN THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. I JUST HAD MY SECOND ISSUE WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHT AND ENGINE POWER SHUTTING OFF. I HAD TO COAST THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. THEN THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM ON MORE THAN A FEW EXPEDITIONS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THE ISSUES ARE NOT RESOLVED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO HELP.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10544442
125,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WE HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION ON OUR FORD EXPEDITION. ONCE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN AND TWICE WITH MYSELF. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO KNOWN VEHICLE PROBLEM AND ONLY OFFERED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I…
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WE HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION ON OUR FORD EXPEDITION. ONCE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN AND TWICE WITH MYSELF. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO KNOWN VEHICLE PROBLEM AND ONLY OFFERED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. IF FORD IS CORRECT AND THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM, THEN WHY WOULD FORD BE WILLING TO PAY THE COST OF TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP? I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MARCH 5TH AND TODAY APRIL 1ST. [XXX] A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE ABOVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505196
35,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500084
83,000 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 EXPEDITION AND HAVE HAD A ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE ON IT TWICE IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS. BOTH CASES HAPPENED WHILE TURNING THROUGH A MAJOR INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT THERE WAS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE (STEPPING ON THE GAS HAD NO EFFECT). LUCKILY I WAS ABLE T…
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I HAVE A 2005 EXPEDITION AND HAVE HAD A ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE ON IT TWICE IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS. BOTH CASES HAPPENED WHILE TURNING THROUGH A MAJOR INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT THERE WAS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE (STEPPING ON THE GAS HAD NO EFFECT). LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND ONTO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT GETTING HIT. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN DEC 2011, AND IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING (1 OCT 2012), LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AND SAFELY MANEUVERED OUT OF HARM'S WAY. IF IT HAD BEEN MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, OR IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS SAME FAILURE ON THE INTERNET. I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE AND CHILDREN RIDE IN THE VEHICLE TRIED TO HAVE FIXED AT THE DEALER IN DEC 2011 AND THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT, JUST WANTED TO START REPLACING PARTS. CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN TODAY AND THEY HAD NO OTHER ANSWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478146
63,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
SteeringVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CHECK BODY THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BOD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CHECK BODY THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10477307
77,850 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOST ACCELERATION. AN ALARM ON DASH IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEMS AS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME CLOSE. MY WIFE IS NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT…
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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT IMMEDIATELY LOST ACCELERATION. AN ALARM ON DASH IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEMS AS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME CLOSE. MY WIFE IS NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHICH I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A RECALL WOULD BE INITIATED BY FORD. I SEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE FIRST ONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ON THE WEBSITE. ANYONE ONE WHO READS THIS THAT HAS HAD THE PROBLEM SHOULD CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND COMPLAIN. JUST GO TO FORD.COM AND CLICK ON SUPPORT TO GET THE PHONE NUMBER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446871
84,328 miles · Feb 3, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 84K MILES AND I WAS GOING 30 MPH WHEN I LOST THE GAS PEDAL(POWER) TO MY VEHICLE. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT FROM BEHIND DUE TO LOSING POWER TO THE ENGINE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. NO WARNING LIGHT AND TRUCK R…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 84K MILES AND I WAS GOING 30 MPH WHEN I LOST THE GAS PEDAL(POWER) TO MY VEHICLE. WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT FROM BEHIND DUE TO LOSING POWER TO THE ENGINE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. NO WARNING LIGHT AND TRUCK RAN FINE. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO FOR $98 TELLS ME I NEED TO SPEND ANOTHER $600 TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY. AFTER A LONG DISCUSSION WITH SERVICE MANAGER I DECIDED TO DECLINE THE REPAIR UNTIL I CONTACT FORD AND NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY BOARD. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10446600
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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