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2000 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

327 reports with mileage · 625 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.

  • Tires. Review the 217 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

101 crash reports64 fire reports73 injury reports

What owners actually said

952 reports
104,000 miles · Jul 31, 2010
Power Train

2000 FORD EXPLORER,TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP,LOCK UP IN OVERDRIVE,PLACE IN REVERSE CAR LURCHES FORWARD.THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES ENGINE RPMS ARE VERY HIGH.THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS 4.0 ENGINE AND THE 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO MY FAMIL…

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2000 FORD EXPLORER,TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP,LOCK UP IN OVERDRIVE,PLACE IN REVERSE CAR LURCHES FORWARD.THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES ENGINE RPMS ARE VERY HIGH.THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS 4.0 ENGINE AND THE 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO MY FAMILY AND TO THE PUBLIC YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TYPE OF REACTION WILL COME OUT OF THIS TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. TAKEN TO AAMCO THEY QUOTED $2300.00 FOR REPAIRS. MY WARRANT COMPANYCOMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SERVIVES (C.A.R.S)WILL ONLY PAY FOR A SALVAGE YARD TRANSMISSION.THESE TRANSMISSION WERE ONLY MADE FRO A SHORT TIME. ANY TRANSMISSION FROM A SALVAGE YARD WILL HAVE THE OPERATING PROBLEMS. WHILE AT AAMCO A CUSTOMER BROUGHT HIS 1999 EXPLORER IN HIS TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY AAMCO FEB OF THIS YEAR.IT IS STUCK IN OVERDRIVE AND WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WARRANTY COMPANY SENT A USED TRANSMISSION TO THE AAMCO SHOP AT 4210 RED BLUFF ROAD PASADENA TEXAS,IT WAS INSTALLED,TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE AND SET A COMPUTER CODE OF TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE ALONG WITH SOLENOID FAILURE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS TURNED LOOSE A VERY UNSAFE TO THE PUBLIC THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MADE TO REPAIR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346468

93,310 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Structure

PURCHASED USED 2000 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007. LIFT GATE IN REAR HAS BEEN USED ON A REGULAR BASIS SINCE PURCHASE AND THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN OPENING THERE WAS A LOUD BANG WITH THE LIFT GATE COMING DOWN ONTO MY BACK. THANKFULLY IT WASN'T MY WIFE OR CHILD THAT HAD OPENED IT AS THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS STRUT HA…

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PURCHASED USED 2000 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007. LIFT GATE IN REAR HAS BEEN USED ON A REGULAR BASIS SINCE PURCHASE AND THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN OPENING THERE WAS A LOUD BANG WITH THE LIFT GATE COMING DOWN ONTO MY BACK. THANKFULLY IT WASN'T MY WIFE OR CHILD THAT HAD OPENED IT AS THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS STRUT HAD BROKE AS IT WAS HANGING THERE BUT AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION THE LIFT GATE BALL MOUNT HAD SNAPPED OFF. THERE IS SURFACE RUST ON THE OUTER PART OF THE BALL MOUNT AND CLIP THAT KEEPS THE STRUT ON THE MOUNT BUT THE BALL MOUNT WHERE IT SNAPPED IS CLEAN. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE IS REAR LIFT GATE WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND BECAUSE IT CAN'T CLOSE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND GET VERY HOT. I REMOVED THE FRONT LIGHT BUT COULDN'T GET THE TOP OFF OF THE REAR INTERIOR LIGHT SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH MANY EXPLORERS. PROBLEM IS NO PART CAN BE PURCHASED AS THIS MOUNT IS WELDED ONTO THE BODY AT THE FACTORY. TWO SOLUTIONS ARE THAT FORD FIXES IT AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER OR THE CONSUMER JURY RIGS IT WITH DRILLING OUT HOLES IN THE STRUT AND FASHIONING A MEANS OF ATTACHMENT USING BOLTS AND SCREWS THAT CAN AND DO LOOSEN UP AND NEED TO BE TIGHTENED FREQUENTLY. A SEARCH ALSO SHOWS THAT FORD HAS HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH LIFT GATE PARTS AND FAILURES ON OTHER YEARS OF EXPLORERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339332

125,000 miles · Jun 17, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS THE CONTACT WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND ADVISED THE FIRE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS THE CONTACT WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND ADVISED THE FIRE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FIRE CHIEF RULED THE FIRE AS MECHANICAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ORDER TO PREVENT A VEHICLE FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10336805

78,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

MY FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALL I SAW WAS CLOUD OF SMOKE. THEN PEOPLE STARTED YELLING AND BLOWING THEIR HORN AT ME, THE UNBELIEVABLE, THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336226

105,000 miles · May 27, 2010
Power Train

FAULTY TRANSMISSION ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER. O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD. OCCURS ON MID TO LONG RANGE TRIPS AND WILL LIKELY REQUIRE A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. IT IS KNOWN THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD SUV'S/TRUCKS FROM LATE 90'S AND EARLY 2000'S, BUT FORD REFUSES TO "ACKNOWLEDGE" THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332517

117,000 miles · May 18, 2010
Power Train

VEHICLES TRANSMISSION SLIPS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO GEARING. UNSAFE CONDITIONS EXISTS WHILE TRYING TO USE POWER TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. WHEN VEHICLE KEY IS SWITCHED OFF THEN ON AGAIN, TRANSMISSION RESETS UNTIL NEXT EVENT OF POWER LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331024

160,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT OVER DRIVE O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. I ONLY HAVE 169,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT STARTED TO JERK AND SLIP OUT OF GEAR. NOW IT ONLY LET ME DRIVE ONLY IN ONE GEAR. I'VE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL …

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MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT OVER DRIVE O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. I ONLY HAVE 169,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT STARTED TO JERK AND SLIP OUT OF GEAR. NOW IT ONLY LET ME DRIVE ONLY IN ONE GEAR. I'VE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE SO MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS UP TO THE 2002 MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUCK AND THEY THE SAME RESPONSE WHEN CALL FORD DEALERSHIPS. THIS THE WEBSITE WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/O_D_LIGHT_IS_BLINKING.SHTML. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC AND CAN'T MOVE BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WANT ALLOW THEM TOO. THEY WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327513

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2010
Power Train

2000 FORD EXPLORER HAS O/D LIGHT BLINKING. ROUGH SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. BARELY IS ABLE TO GET INTO PARK WHICH LEAVES THE VEHICLE ABLE TO ROLL AWAY. (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325583

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER, 4-DOOR. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. ALSO, LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1) CAN NOT OPEN RIGHT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! I REPLACED A RIVOT…

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I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER, 4-DOOR. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. ALSO, LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1) CAN NOT OPEN RIGHT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! I REPLACED A RIVOT THAT HOLDS THE LOCKING ACTUATOR WITH A BOLT (RIGHT SIDE FRONT DOOR). 2)I CAN NOT OPEN LEFT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! . I REPLACED THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE OPENING LEVER. THIS WORKED UNTIL THE LATCHING MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FAILED. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. 3) ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR, THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, ANYONE IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT REAR DOOR. WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2000 THEN BOUGHT IT IN 2003. AS OF THIS WRITING, THIS VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 80000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORD REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. MANY MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 2000 FORD EXPLORERS. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TO RESORT TO USING THE REMEDIES ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319403

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DOOR LOCKS CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DOOR LOCKS CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOCKS HAVE FAILED ONE-BY-ONE. THE PASSENGER REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE TRUNK LOCK ALSO STICKS. UPDATED 09/02/10

NHTSA ODI #10315143

Official recalls

9

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

03V280000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Aug 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V281000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Aug 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

00V395000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Nov 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.27 OR 3.55 AXLE RATION. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN INTENT TOP SPEED. AT THESE EXTREME SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED RATING OF THE TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OPERATING THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING COULD LEAD TO A TIRE FAILURE WHICH AT THESE SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.

00V228001 · Seat Belts

Aug 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V179000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jul 5, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A REVISED LEVEL SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT COULD DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAG IF THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "RUN" POSITION AND THE SEATBELT WEBBING IS FORCIBLY EXTRACTED FROM A LOCKED RETRACTOR WITH A JERKING MOTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN UNEXPECTED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

00V072000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Mar 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.

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

4

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.

PE03020 · Front Seat Back Recliner Attachment

Opened May 21, 2003 · Closed Sep 5, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 4, 2003, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V281) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2001 FORD EXPLORER / MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4-DOOR, MY 1998-2000 FORD EXPLORER 2-DOOR AND MY 2001-2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT AND SPORT TRAC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.A BOLT BETWEEN THE UPPER SEAT RECLINER ATTACHMENT AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME MAY FRACTURE.FORD WILL REPLACE THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT.BASED ON FORD'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

EA01008 · Seat Belt Webbing

Opened Feb 26, 2001 · Closed Apr 25, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

ODI OPENED PE00-044INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000, BASED ON A REPORT REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IN A 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORER XLS INVOLVED IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH.IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE WEBBING OF THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING THE CRASH.THE OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THEREBY SUSTAINING FATAL INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

PE00044 · Seat Belt Webbing

Opened Nov 3, 2000 · Closed Feb 26, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2000, BASED ON A REPORT REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT IN A 2000 MODEL YEAR FORD EXPLORER XLS INVOLVED IN A ROLL-OVER CRASH.IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE WEBBING OF THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FAILED DURING THE CRASH.THE OCCUPANT WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, THEREBY SUSTAINING FATAL INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

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