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1998 Ford Explorer Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

69 reports with mileage · 52 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports13 fire reports7 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

33 reports
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121,895 miles · Aug 3, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesSeats

I HAVE HAD MY DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM REPAIRED BEFORE, BUT THE RECLINER DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. NOW THE RECLINER DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES TOTALLY, UNTIL IT TOUCHES THE BACK SEAT CUSHION. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE PART TO REPAIR THE SEAT IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I WAS TOLD I COULD GO TO A SALVAGE YARD TO LOOK…

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I HAVE HAD MY DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM REPAIRED BEFORE, BUT THE RECLINER DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. NOW THE RECLINER DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES TOTALLY, UNTIL IT TOUCHES THE BACK SEAT CUSHION. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE PART TO REPAIR THE SEAT IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I WAS TOLD I COULD GO TO A SALVAGE YARD TO LOOK FOR THE PART. ON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I CAME UPON THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347147

122,700 miles · Jan 27, 2009
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

IN 2007, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT REALLY DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH UNTIL ONE DAY BY ACCIDENT THE DOOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT COME OPEN. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY FORCE AND PULL UP ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. FINALLY IT CAME OPEN BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NOW IT WAS TO THE P…

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IN 2007, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT REALLY DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH UNTIL ONE DAY BY ACCIDENT THE DOOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT COME OPEN. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY FORCE AND PULL UP ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. FINALLY IT CAME OPEN BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NOW IT WAS TO THE POINT OF DISGUST. DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO WE WAITED UNTIL WE DID. IN 2008, I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS QUOTED $197 FOR EVERYTHING, INSTALLATION, PARTS, AND LABOR. BUT WHEN I CAME TO PAY THE BILL I WAS INFORMED IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT $100 IF NOT MORE WHEN COMPLETED. SO MY AUNTS BOYFRIEND, WHO DOES AUTO BODY WORK, FIXED IT. IT WAS WORKING FINE, WE STILL HAD TO JIGGLE TO LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET THE LOCKS TO UNLOCK. AND THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS GETTING OUT AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE HANDLE IS STUCK. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR CRAWL ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHICH WE HAVE HAD TO DO THAT IN THE PAST AND IT IS EMBARRASSING. SO NOW I'VE E-MAILED FORD ABOUT MY COMPLAINT AND THAT IS WHERE I WAS INFORMED YOU DONE THE RECALLS. I REALLY LEARNED THAT THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT, WWW.CARCOMPLAINT.COM. I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT? I GUESS JUST BE OUT $200 MORE WHEN I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP....HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256522

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERI…

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1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255186

101,000 miles · Jul 6, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE I WAS DRIVING TO GO SEE A MOVIE. THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED WORKING (EVEN WITH A KEY IT WILL NOT UNLOCK). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS DOOR EXCEPT FOR THE DOOR ITSELF OVER 7 YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233280

70,300 miles · May 20, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FUSE RELAY OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING ANY OF THE FUSES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MAN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FUSE RELAY OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING ANY OF THE FUSES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE VEHICLE KEY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,300.

NHTSA ODI #10228277

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2007
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL IT JUST LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE HANDLE HAVE JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T GET OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211011

60,000 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE UNLOCKED DOOR OF HIS VEHICLE, THE DOORS BECOME LOCKED. WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE DOORS STILL REMAIN LOCKED. WHEN HE PRESSES THE POWER LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, IT WILL LOCK THE DOOR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE UNLOCKED DOOR OF HIS VEHICLE, THE DOORS BECOME LOCKED. WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE DOORS STILL REMAIN LOCKED. WHEN HE PRESSES THE POWER LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, IT WILL LOCK THE DOORS BUT FAIL TO UNLOCK THEM, CAUSING PASSENGERS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE WINDOW. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND HE FEELS THE FAILURE SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10199545

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

THE LOCKS ON MY DOORS KEEP LOCKING BY THEMSELVES AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT UNLOCK UNLESS YOU BEAT IT TO DEATH THE BACK LATCH DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL IT IS LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199307

70,000 miles · May 11, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK DID NOT UNLOCK EITHER WITH THE KEY OR LOCK BUTTON. IT TOOK MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED, LEAVING ME NO CHOICE BUT TO EXIT OUT OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190511

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON WHEN LOCKED(ELECTRICAL). THIS COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT AS THE DRIVER DOOR IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK.

NHTSA ODI #10185592

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head

Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.