NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
16 reportsClear category filter222,000 miles · Apr 21, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower TrainCrashInjury
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle would independently accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. During a recent failure, the contact crashed into a fence as part of the fence had become wedged underneath the vehicle. Afte…
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The contact owns a 2006 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle would independently accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. During a recent failure, the contact crashed into a fence as part of the fence had become wedged underneath the vehicle. After placing the vehicle into park and exiting the vehicle, the wheels continued to move. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Despite minor soreness to his neck, no medial attention was required. A police report was not filed. Despite the failure, the contact managed to restart the vehicle and safely to his destination. The fence sustained severe damage as a result of the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
NHTSA ODI #11518263
160,000 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Air BagsChild SeatCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND 8-10 TIMES AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL APPROXIMATELY AN ADDITIONAL FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WENT BACK ONTO THE ROAD FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND 8-10 TIMES AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL APPROXIMATELY AN ADDITIONAL FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY WENT BACK ONTO THE ROAD FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE INJECTORS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RELEASED; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CHILD IN THE REAR WAS EJECTED FROM THE SAFETY SEAT, THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE ARM, BACK, AND NECK AREA, AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE BACK, LEG, PELVIC, WRIST, AND HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS12509910. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10994910
124,000 miles · Oct 18, 2016
Air Bags
"TAKATA RECALL" THERE IS A LOUD VIBRATION COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF DASHBOARD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A LEAK IN MY AIR BAG AND THAT UPON COLLISION THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI #10916742
144,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Air BagsVisibility/wiperCrashInjury
IT WAS SNOWING ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I COULDN'T SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT END OF MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. ALSO THE OTHER DRIVERS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT MINE DID NOT. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED. I SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL WITH BACK INJURIES AND LEG INJURIES, AS WE…
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IT WAS SNOWING ON MY WAY TO AN APPOINTMENT AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I COULDN'T SEE OUT OF THE WINDOWS AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT END OF MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. ALSO THE OTHER DRIVERS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT MINE DID NOT. MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED. I SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL WITH BACK INJURIES AND LEG INJURIES, AS WELL AS A HEAD INJURIES WHICH CAUSED ME TO TEMPORARILY LOSE MY MEMORY AND CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679376
163,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Air BagsFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RUNNING OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND THE CURVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND RAN HEAD ON INTO A TREE THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RE…
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AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RUNNING OVER THE CONCRETE STOP AND THE CURVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND RAN HEAD ON INTO A TREE THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621042
90,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, FM 185. I WAS DRIVING NORTHEAST WHILE THE OTHER DRIVER WAS SOMEWHAT STOPPED HEADING WEST, TRYING TO TURN SOUTH ONTO CATTLE DRIVE. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AWAITING TO TURN LEFT. THE OTHER DRIVER TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT. THE INITIAL IMPAC…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, FM 185. I WAS DRIVING NORTHEAST WHILE THE OTHER DRIVER WAS SOMEWHAT STOPPED HEADING WEST, TRYING TO TURN SOUTH ONTO CATTLE DRIVE. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AWAITING TO TURN LEFT. THE OTHER DRIVER TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT. THE INITIAL IMPACT WAS DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AND THEN DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. WE HIT, AND THEN MY VEHICLE DID A 180 DEGREE TURN WHICH TURNED MY VEHICLE AROUND FACING MY INITIAL PATH OF DIRECTION. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER, AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS AS WELL. THE AIRBAGS OF THE CAR CAUSING THE ACCIDENT DID DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478584
100,532 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Air BagsCrash
2006 FORD EXPEDITION INVOLVED IN HEAD ON ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORD EXPEDITION WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON A FOUR LANE DIVIDED STREET ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN A MINIVAN TRAVELING NORTHBOUND BLINDLY TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND TURNED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. AN RV WAS SITTING IN THE CENTER MEDIAN BLO…
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2006 FORD EXPEDITION INVOLVED IN HEAD ON ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORD EXPEDITION WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON A FOUR LANE DIVIDED STREET ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN A MINIVAN TRAVELING NORTHBOUND BLINDLY TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND TURNED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. AN RV WAS SITTING IN THE CENTER MEDIAN BLOCKING HER VIEW. I HIT HER PASSENGER REAR SIDE HEAD ON. I HAD 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHY THE HECK DO I EVEN HAVE THEM IF THEY AREN'T GOING TO WORK WHEN NEEDED? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY EXPEDITION AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE... ISN'T THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US AND KEEP US SAFE AND WORK?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406971
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2011
Air BagsCrash
WAS INVOLVED IN A (3) THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN JANUARY 2011 ON STATE ROUTE 28 ON BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. VEHICLE #1 HIT BLACK ICE AND LOST CONTROL STRIKING MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN MY EXPEDITION WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DURING THE COLLISION. I DID HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON AND LUCKILY WAS NOT SEVERELY …
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WAS INVOLVED IN A (3) THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN JANUARY 2011 ON STATE ROUTE 28 ON BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. VEHICLE #1 HIT BLACK ICE AND LOST CONTROL STRIKING MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN MY EXPEDITION WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DURING THE COLLISION. I DID HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON AND LUCKILY WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED. NEITHER OF MY FRONT AIR-BAGS DEPLOYED AND MY EXPEDITION SUFFERED $14,000 DOLLARS IN FRONT END DAMAGE ALONE. THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND SHOULD OF DEPLOYED THE AIR-BAGS BUT DID NOT. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT REPAIR SHOP AND STATE POLICE WERE BOTH SURPRISED AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR AS IT LIGHTS UP ALL THE TIME AND NO PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND WHEN DIAGNOSED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. I STILL OWN MY EXPEDITION AND WORRY FOR SAFETY IF ANOTHER COLLISION OCCURS WILL THE AIR-BAGS DEPLOY TO SAVE A LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403653
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD HIT BLACK ICE AND THEN SLIDE INTO A TREE HEAD ON. BOTH THE DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT BUT STILL SUFFERED FACIAL TRAUMA. I RECEIVED SEVERAL SUTURES IN MY LIPS AND THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH. I THINK FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT T…
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I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD HIT BLACK ICE AND THEN SLIDE INTO A TREE HEAD ON. BOTH THE DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT BUT STILL SUFFERED FACIAL TRAUMA. I RECEIVED SEVERAL SUTURES IN MY LIPS AND THE INSIDE OF MY MOUTH. I THINK FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED I WOULDN'T HAVE SUFFERED THE TRAUMA TO MY FACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376575
38,500 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, CONSTRUCTION TRUCK RAN INTO BACK OF MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME 20 FEET INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, SANDWICHING MY VEHICLE IN BETWEEN THE OTHER TWO; THE IMPACT FIRST THREW ME BACK THEN FORWARD & SENT MY GLASSES OFF MY HEAD BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I GOT A CONCUSSION & …
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I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, CONSTRUCTION TRUCK RAN INTO BACK OF MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME 20 FEET INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, SANDWICHING MY VEHICLE IN BETWEEN THE OTHER TWO; THE IMPACT FIRST THREW ME BACK THEN FORWARD & SENT MY GLASSES OFF MY HEAD BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I GOT A CONCUSSION & SHOULDER INJURY DUE TO FORCE. POLICE & MEDICAL PERSONS WERE AMAZED THAT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAD FRONT END & REAR DAMAGE, WAS UNDRIVEABLE & HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT IF IT WILL BE TOTALED OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10363330
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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