NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
75 reportsClear category filter530,000 miles · Apr 7, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 FORD EXPEDITION, HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN ROUTE SOMEWHERE. JUST STOPS AT ONCE AND SAFE MODE FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON. POWER STEERING FAILS, AS WELL AS ENGINE STOPPING. HAVE HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE THROTTLE, AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS INCLUDING I BELIEVE AIR PUMP. NONE OF THIS CHEAP. BUT BIGGEST CON…
Read full complaint
2006 FORD EXPEDITION, HAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN ROUTE SOMEWHERE. JUST STOPS AT ONCE AND SAFE MODE FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON. POWER STEERING FAILS, AS WELL AS ENGINE STOPPING. HAVE HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION, REPLACE THE THROTTLE, AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS INCLUDING I BELIEVE AIR PUMP. NONE OF THIS CHEAP. BUT BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED OR ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264389
60,000 miles · Mar 13, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2006 EXPEDITION HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND IS A DESIGN DEFECT VERSUS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I DID BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261722
62,000 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. ENGINE FAIL-SAFE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. WAS BARELY ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA. RESTARTED ENGINE, EVERYTHING CAME BACK UP AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260814
46,000 miles · Feb 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY TRUCK WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE TRUCK TO STOP SUDDENLY WITH NO USE OF GAS PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT RAN FINE THE REST OF THE DAY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259622
53,000 miles · Dec 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY TRUCK WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO STOP SUDDENLY WITH NO POWER TO ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE STILL RUNS. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE CRUSHED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND ME. I HAD SEVERAL CHILDREN IN THE CAR TOO!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252165
59,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SUV JUST SHUTS DOWN, WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251821
48,000 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
AUGUST 21 ON THE WAY TO WORK (4 MILE DRIVE) THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND LOST POWER,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER,AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE WHAT IS GOING ON,SO THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CODES ARE P0022-P0305-P0307-P1184-P2198-P2273 MY FAMILY JUST CAME BACK FROM A 3000 TRIP ,I…
Read full complaint
AUGUST 21 ON THE WAY TO WORK (4 MILE DRIVE) THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND LOST POWER,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER,AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE WHAT IS GOING ON,SO THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CODES ARE P0022-P0305-P0307-P1184-P2198-P2273 MY FAMILY JUST CAME BACK FROM A 3000 TRIP ,I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HAVING THIS HAPPENING TO US DURING THIS TIME. I BEEN LOOKING FOR THE SAME TYPE OF TROUBLE TO THIS TRUCKS AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT HAVING TO REPLACE ENGINES RANGING FROM 38,000 MILES TO ABOUT 60,000MILES. THE PRICE OF THIS CARS ARE WELL OVER $35,000 TO HAVING TO SPEND ANOTHER $7,000 WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS OF OUR ECONOMY RIGHT NOW A NORMAL PERSON LIKE ME CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER RIP OFF BY ONE OF THE BIG COMPANIES,LIKE FORD. ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ENGINE TROUBLES AND REPAIR LIKE THEY SUPPOSED TO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240001
43,654 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN GREATER THAN 60 MPH. THE HIGHER THE SPEED, THE MORE THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE FAILU…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN GREATER THAN 60 MPH. THE HIGHER THE SPEED, THE MORE THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE JUNE 24, 2008, BUT THEY STILL CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/29/08.*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONVERTER. UPDATED 09/29/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10238652
29,890 miles · Jun 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN SUDDENLY AND GIVES OUT THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ON THE BOARD. DEALER SAYS NOTHING SHOWING UP ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. HOW COULD THAT BE. THERE'S GOT TO BE A REASON WHY THAT SUV SUDDENLY SHUT ITS ENGINE DOWN. …
Read full complaint
MY 2006 FORD EXPEDITION SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN SUDDENLY AND GIVES OUT THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ON THE BOARD. DEALER SAYS NOTHING SHOWING UP ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. HOW COULD THAT BE. THERE'S GOT TO BE A REASON WHY THAT SUV SUDDENLY SHUT ITS ENGINE DOWN. ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS WILL NOT BE RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232177
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension
2006 FORD EXPEDITION HAS SAFETY ISSUES WITH ENGINE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE GAGS OR SHAKES UPON IGNITION. CONSUMER IS MOSTLY WORRIED ABOUT THE WOBBLING WHEN MAKING TURNS. CLAIMS THERE IS LOSS OF POWER. *KB THE REAR LATCH WOULD STICK AT TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10230648
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
Illustration