NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
315 reports93,000 miles · Nov 12, 2012
Electrical System
MY 2005 EXPEDITION WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 40MPH WHEN IT STOPPED ACCELERATING AND DIED IN TRAFFIC WHILE I WAS TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. I COULDN'T TURN THE STIRRING WHEEL TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES. ONCE IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT IN…
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MY 2005 EXPEDITION WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 40MPH WHEN IT STOPPED ACCELERATING AND DIED IN TRAFFIC WHILE I WAS TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. I COULDN'T TURN THE STIRRING WHEEL TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES. ONCE IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC ON A HILL THANK GOD NO ONE ELSE WAS COMING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484008
25,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN UPDATED 11/27/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10479549
46,600 miles · Oct 5, 2012
EnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING, WHEN I TRIED TO FURTHER ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND AND A WARNING " CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL". I PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE AS NORMAL. THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2005 EXPEDITIONS. THIS IS OBVIOUS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO NO…
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I WAS DRIVING, WHEN I TRIED TO FURTHER ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND AND A WARNING " CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL". I PULLED OVER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE AS NORMAL. THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2005 EXPEDITIONS. THIS IS OBVIOUS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE ALREADY DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478726
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
116,224 miles · Sep 19, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE CENTER LANE ON RT 41 IN PORT CHARLOTTE, WITH AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 45 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD TO MANEUVER CAREFULLY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH CARS BEEPING, AND SWERVING AROUND ME. I TRIED TO RESTART…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE CENTER LANE ON RT 41 IN PORT CHARLOTTE, WITH AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 45 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME, AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD TO MANEUVER CAREFULLY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH CARS BEEPING, AND SWERVING AROUND ME. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT KEPT GETTING AN "ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE. I SAT FOR A WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, AND WHEN I TRIED RESTARTING THE TRUCK, IT MIRACULOUSLY STARTED. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2012, I WENT OUT TO START MY VEHICLE SO I COULD BRING IT IN TO MY MECHANIC, AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO HIS SHOP. HE INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES WITH THIS VEHICLE. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON THEM, AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. HE RESET THE CODE FOR THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THE TRUCK RAN FINE. AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I SEE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK NOW, FOR FEAR THAT IT IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475902
59,500 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Service Brakes
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, EVEN AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES. SOON AFTERWARD THE LOW FLUID LIGHT WENT ON. I HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO MY LICENSED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINE. SEVERAL OTHER LOCATIONS WERE HEAVILY RUSTED AND LEAKING AS WEL…
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DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, EVEN AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES. SOON AFTERWARD THE LOW FLUID LIGHT WENT ON. I HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO MY LICENSED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINE. SEVERAL OTHER LOCATIONS WERE HEAVILY RUSTED AND LEAKING AS WELL. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HIT ANYONE, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD 5 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY THE OWNER AND ORDERED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM FORD. THIS VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED AND NOT GARAGED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471808
71,000 miles · Jul 22, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure
THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IS LEAKING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER UNDER THE CARPET AND THE WATER IS POOLING UNDER THE RUG AND FLOWING INTO THE CHANNEL WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS IS LOCATED. THIS WIRING HARNESS DOES NOT LOOK TO BE PROTECTED FROM WATER AND IT IS A MATER OF TIME BEFORE THE INSULATION ON THIS WIRE BREAKS DOWN AND SHOR…
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THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IS LEAKING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER UNDER THE CARPET AND THE WATER IS POOLING UNDER THE RUG AND FLOWING INTO THE CHANNEL WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS IS LOCATED. THIS WIRING HARNESS DOES NOT LOOK TO BE PROTECTED FROM WATER AND IT IS A MATER OF TIME BEFORE THE INSULATION ON THIS WIRE BREAKS DOWN AND SHORTS OUT TO THE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466950
18,005 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE ENGINE FAILURE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL FILTERS AND THE INJE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE ENGINE FAILURE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL FILTERS AND THE INJECTOR BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,005 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA ODI #10466636
120,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Power Train
A CLUNK/THUMP NOISE FROM THE REAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED OR SHIFTED, DURING A CHANGE IN VEHICLE DIRECTION OR ON ACCELERATION. HAVE HAD MY TRANS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW ITS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461642
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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