IllustrationDRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WONT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR WITH HANDLE, CANT UNLOCK DOOR WITH PULL KNOB EITHER,IT'S A DEATH TRAP IF U NEED TO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ASAP!!! *TR
1999 Ford Explorer Sport
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer Sport years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
725–50K
1850–75K
975–100K
9100–150K
6150K+
52 reports with mileage · 41 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 14 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 →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports5 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
14 reportsFRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE:FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK CONSISTENTLY. WIPERS COME ON EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET TO THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THEY ARE TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. IN ORDER FOR WIPERS TO WORK CONSISTENTLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGE WITH HAND AND HAND HAS TO BE KEPT ON T…
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FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE:FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK CONSISTENTLY. WIPERS COME ON EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET TO THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THEY ARE TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. IN ORDER FOR WIPERS TO WORK CONSISTENTLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGE WITH HAND AND HAND HAS TO BE KEPT ON THE WIPER CONTROL SWITCH SWITCHING IT ON AND OFF TO MOVE THE WIPER BLADES. WIPERS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WIPERS WOULD ACT ERRATICALLY AND FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY 90% OF THE TIME. WIPERS SOMETIMES WOULD COME ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. WIPERS CAN COME ON ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. FAULTY HOOD/WEAK HYDRAULIC ARMS: THE HOOD CANNOT SAFELY STAY UP BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC ARM SUPPORTS ARE TOO WEAK TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD SUPPORT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE SO THAT THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP SAFELY. NO SAFETY BAR WAS INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE TO SAFELY HOLD UP/PROP UP THE HOOD IN CASE OF HYDRAULIC ARM/SUPPORT FAILURE. IF THE VEHICLE GETS BUMPED WHILE THE HOOD IS UP THE HOOD WOULD FALL AND CLOSE SHUT. BECAUSE THE HOOD WILL NOT STAY UP IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD. ONE PERSON TO HOLD THE HOOD WHILE OTHER IS UNDER IT. EXTREME RUST & RUST THROUGH INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP: BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP HAVE EXTREME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS.WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE OPEN ALL RUST CAN BE SEEN.SOME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS IS VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR EVEN WHEN DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE CLOSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE DURING ACTIVATION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL DEVICE WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED WHEN MANUALLY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE DURING ACTIVATION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL DEVICE WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED WHEN MANUALLY TURNING THE CONTROL LEVER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WHILE IN THE OFF MODE. IN ADDITION, THE HOOD SUPPORT ARM WOULD NOT REMAIN IN AN UPWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE, WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ON. UPDATED 03/01/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT JUST CRANKS AND CRANKS,BUT, WILL NOT TURN OVER.....AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT IS NOT. THERE ARE MANY TRICKS TO GETTING THIS THING TO START THOUGH. IF THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP ALL OF THE WAY, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN BEFORE NOON, IT WONT START. IF I DRIVE IT IN THE MORN…
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WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT JUST CRANKS AND CRANKS,BUT, WILL NOT TURN OVER.....AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT IS NOT. THERE ARE MANY TRICKS TO GETTING THIS THING TO START THOUGH. IF THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP ALL OF THE WAY, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN BEFORE NOON, IT WONT START. IF I DRIVE IT IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS COOL OUTSIDE, IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS START LATER IN THE DAY. IF I DON'T DRIVE IT UNTIL THE AFTERNOON, AND THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN LEFT DOWN AND IT IS PARKED IN THE SHADE, IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS START. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY HAVE YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. THEY HAVE REPLACED RELAY SWITCH'S AND FUEL FILTER, BUT HAS NOT HELPED. I HAVE NOTICED THE "THEFT LIGHT" BLINKS RAPIDLY WHEN IT WONT START, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO THEFT DEVICE ACTIVATED IN THE VEHICLE!!! THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T ROLE DOWN HALF THE TIME, AND THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT "LOCK UP" EVERY TIME SOMEONE USES THEM TO THE POINT WHERE WHOM EVER IS USING IT HAS TO TAKE IT OFF AND LET IT RETRACT ALL THE WAY TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP IN THE CAR. I AM OVER ALL DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CAR AT THIS POINT, AND WOULD LOVE TO SELL IT, BUT, I CAN NOT PREDICT FROM DAY TO DAY IF IT WILL EVEN START FOR A BUYER TO TEST DRIVE IT!!!! THE STARTING ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS, THE OTHER ISSUES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. *TR
TL*CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. CONTACT STATED HE FOUND RECALL NUMBER 00V072000 ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WHICH IS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER MIRROR AND THE POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AN…
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TL*CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. CONTACT STATED HE FOUND RECALL NUMBER 00V072000 ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WHICH IS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER MIRROR AND THE POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,700 MILES AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 36,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER OCCURRED AT PURCHASE THIS ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO A RECALL LISTED ON 1999 FORD EXPLORER 4WD VEHICLES, UNFORTUNATELY FORD DID NOT INCLUDE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/31/07 *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V072000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE VEHICLE. CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF PART OF RECALL TO SPEED SENSOR SWITCH. FORD MOTOR CO. STATES VEHICLE NOT PART OF RECALL, DID NOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING. NO RESPONSE TO STEERING COLUMN SMOKING OR SMELLING OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRES. *JB
WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE FROM HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA WHEN THEY FELT WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE 2004 FORD F-150 WE PURCHASED THEY HAD SOLD MY TRADE IN HADN'T MADE A DEAL WITH COMPANY FOR CONTRACT CAME A FEW DAY BEFORE FIRST PAYMENT DUE AND REPOED IT SINCE WE HAVE HAD CAR NIGHTMARES THE SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE BR…
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WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE FROM HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA WHEN THEY FELT WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE 2004 FORD F-150 WE PURCHASED THEY HAD SOLD MY TRADE IN HADN'T MADE A DEAL WITH COMPANY FOR CONTRACT CAME A FEW DAY BEFORE FIRST PAYMENT DUE AND REPOED IT SINCE WE HAVE HAD CAR NIGHTMARES THE SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE BROKE JUST REGULAR TIME IT DOES A LOT OF JERKING AND SPUTTERING THE LIGHT WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO ETC..... PLEASE GET ME A DECENT VEHICLE FOR AFTER. *JB
@ 50,000 MILES RADIATOR WENT OUT AND WE REPLACED W/ NEW RADIATOR/ HEADS IN THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN / DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER FAILURE . *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
1DP05005 · 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.