NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
315 reports100,000 miles · Oct 21, 2017
Structure
ALUMINUM BODY PANELS ARE CORRODING UNDERNEATH THE PAINT, CAUSING BUBBLING, FLAKING, AND CHIPPING OF THE PAINT. THIS IS NOT CAUSED NATURALLY, THIS IS A FAILURE ON THE PART OF FORD AND THEIR QUALITY CONTROL. THE ALUMINUM UNDERNEATH WAS CONTAMINATED FROM THE FACTORY WITH IRON CAUSING CORROSION. WHILE KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THE…
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ALUMINUM BODY PANELS ARE CORRODING UNDERNEATH THE PAINT, CAUSING BUBBLING, FLAKING, AND CHIPPING OF THE PAINT. THIS IS NOT CAUSED NATURALLY, THIS IS A FAILURE ON THE PART OF FORD AND THEIR QUALITY CONTROL. THE ALUMINUM UNDERNEATH WAS CONTAMINATED FROM THE FACTORY WITH IRON CAUSING CORROSION. WHILE KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11035455
94,368 miles · Oct 20, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiperWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE FUEL CAP AND THE TIRE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CAPITAL FORD OF CHARLOTTE LOCATED AT 5411 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE, NC 28213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR, THE FUEL CAP AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE FUEL CAP AND THE TIRE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CAPITAL FORD OF CHARLOTTE LOCATED AT 5411 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE, NC 28213) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR, THE FUEL CAP AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WARNING LIGHT, FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,368.
NHTSA ODI #11034775
160,000 miles · Oct 7, 2017
Structure
THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR IN LARGE PATCHES FOR NO OBVIOUS REASONS INCLUDING RUST OR ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS LIKE BEING CLOSE TO SALT WATER. THE PEELING PAINT IS PRIMARILY ON THE BACK HATCH BUT ALSO SOME PAINT BUBBLING IS OCCURRING ON A FEW OTHER SMALL SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE OF SIGNI…
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THE PAINT IS PEELING ON THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR IN LARGE PATCHES FOR NO OBVIOUS REASONS INCLUDING RUST OR ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS LIKE BEING CLOSE TO SALT WATER. THE PEELING PAINT IS PRIMARILY ON THE BACK HATCH BUT ALSO SOME PAINT BUBBLING IS OCCURRING ON A FEW OTHER SMALL SPOTS ON THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT LEAKS OF WATER INTO THE BODY BUT NO OBVIOUS POINTS OF ENTRY.
NHTSA ODI #11032178
218,000 miles · Jul 26, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE FAILED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSED GALVANIC CORROSION. ALUMINUM BODY OF COMPONENT ACTS AS THE SACRIFICIAL ANODE FOR THE FRAME WHICH IS STEEL. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO STALL AT 65MPH AND LOSE POWER AND THUS CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER WHILE TRAVELING A HIGH RATE OF SP…
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FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE FAILED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSED GALVANIC CORROSION. ALUMINUM BODY OF COMPONENT ACTS AS THE SACRIFICIAL ANODE FOR THE FRAME WHICH IS STEEL. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO STALL AT 65MPH AND LOSE POWER AND THUS CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER WHILE TRAVELING A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS COULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAYS, CONGESTED AREAS, OR AREAS WITH PEDESTRIANS SUCH AS SCHOOLS. I HAVE ALSO NOTIFIED FORD OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11010674
214,200 miles · Jan 29, 2017
EngineSuspension
VEHICLE VIBRATES BADLY ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VIBRATION IS SO BAD, THE VEHICLE ROCKS SIDE-TO-SIDE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY TURNPIKE SPEED OF 75MPH, VEHICLE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED LOW OIL PRESSURE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE STILL HAD ELECTRICAL …
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VEHICLE VIBRATES BADLY ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VIBRATION IS SO BAD, THE VEHICLE ROCKS SIDE-TO-SIDE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY TURNPIKE SPEED OF 75MPH, VEHICLE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED LOW OIL PRESSURE AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE STILL HAD ELECTRICAL FUNCTION BUT ENGINE NO LONGER WOULD TURN OVER. CHECKED ENGINE OIL LEVEL AND HAD ENGINE OIL. CALLED HIGHWAY PATROL AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10948179
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
120,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10935483
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
THIS CAR JUST NUMEROUS OF PROBLEM..... WHO EVER BUILT THIS CAR DID NOT HAVE A GOOD JOB OF DOING IT
NHTSA ODI #10928624
2,300,000 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
MY SUV WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT OF A STORE. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM MY VEHICLE. THEN IT STARTED TO CATCH ON FIRE. FIRE FIGHTERS SAID THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS.
NHTSA ODI #10924635
174,000 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Unknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL. MY FORD EXPEDITION 2005, HAS BEEN MESSING UP FOR A WHILE NOW. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC WAY TOO MANY TIMES. IT STARTS SHAKING SOMETIMES WHEN WE STEP ON THE GAS AFTER WE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AND GOING UP A HILL IT FEEL A LIKE IT HESITATES AND FEELS AS IF IT'S PULLING BACK. YESTERDAY WAS WHAT STAR…
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TAKATA RECALL. MY FORD EXPEDITION 2005, HAS BEEN MESSING UP FOR A WHILE NOW. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC WAY TOO MANY TIMES. IT STARTS SHAKING SOMETIMES WHEN WE STEP ON THE GAS AFTER WE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AND GOING UP A HILL IT FEEL A LIKE IT HESITATES AND FEELS AS IF IT'S PULLING BACK. YESTERDAY WAS WHAT STARTED TO CONCERN ME THOUGH. MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF ON ME COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY FORD FOCUS 2012 HAS BEEN DOING THE SAME THING AND IT TURNS OUT IT HAD A RECALL ISSUE, SO I WAS WONDERING IF THAT'S THE CASE WITH MY EXPEDITION.
NHTSA ODI #10924295
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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