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2001 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 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

114 reports with mileage · 261 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 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

64 crash reports21 fire reports43 injury reports

What owners actually said

375 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000
Tires

ALL THE TIRES HAVE DIMPLES ALONG THE SIDEWALL, ITS RANDOM AND UP TO 8 ON EACH TIRES, FIRESTONE SAYS THE TIRES IS FINE, THATS THE WAY ALL THERE TIRES ARE. PLUS ITS VISIABLE WHEN LOOKING AT THE TIRES FROM AN ANGLE. THEY SAY ITS THE WAY THE BELTS ARE MADE, BUT THE DIMPLES OR CREVECES ARE 2" APART THEN 4 " THEN 6"AS AN EXAMPLE. EAC…

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

NHTSA ODI #735596

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000
Tires

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00T-005 AND IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING REPLACEMENT TIRES. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557136

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2000
Suspension

WHEN TURNING VEHICLE RIGHT OR LEFT THERE IS A CRACKING NOISE, LIKE SOMETHING UNDERNEATH IS TRYING TO COME APART. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #873957

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS WENT ONTO THE GRAVEL SHOULDER. WHEN I GOT THE 2 WHEELS BACK ON PAVEMENT THE WHEELS THAT HAD BEEN ON THE GRAVEL SEEMED TO GO FASTER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE WHEELS. THE BRAKES DIDN'T ENGAGE AND THE CAR SHOT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WHILE ACCELERATING AND THE CA…

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WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS WENT ONTO THE GRAVEL SHOULDER. WHEN I GOT THE 2 WHEELS BACK ON PAVEMENT THE WHEELS THAT HAD BEEN ON THE GRAVEL SEEMED TO GO FASTER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE WHEELS. THE BRAKES DIDN'T ENGAGE AND THE CAR SHOT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WHILE ACCELERATING AND THE CAR FLIPPED 3 OR 4 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #734821

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2000
Tires

CLEAR, DRY ROADWAY, 50 MPH, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE PERFORMED VERY STABLY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND HAD TIRE CHANGED. DEALER REPLACED ALL 5 TIRES WITH GOODYEARS AT NO CHARGE AT MY REQUEST. TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN SLICED THROUGH FROM SIDEWALL TO SIDEWALL. I TOOK PICTURES, NOT DEVELOPED. DEALER HAS TIRES. (DOT NUMBER:…

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CLEAR, DRY ROADWAY, 50 MPH, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE PERFORMED VERY STABLY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND HAD TIRE CHANGED. DEALER REPLACED ALL 5 TIRES WITH GOODYEARS AT NO CHARGE AT MY REQUEST. TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN SLICED THROUGH FROM SIDEWALL TO SIDEWALL. I TOOK PICTURES, NOT DEVELOPED. DEALER HAS TIRES. (DOT NUMBER: DON'T KNOW TIRESIZE: P235/70R16)

NHTSA ODI #734615

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Tires

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. NOTICED THE TIRE WAS FLAT IN THE RIGHT REAR. THERE WAS A 3 INCH SLIT NEAR THE TREAD. PUT SPARE ON IN ITS PLACE. TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE RETAILER & WAS INFORMED NOTHING CAN BE DONE. OWNER BROUGHT A DIFFERENT TIRE AS SPARE. PROT TO FLAT, HAD EXPERIENCED FLAPPING NOISE AGAINST VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPEN…

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VEHICLE WAS PARKED. NOTICED THE TIRE WAS FLAT IN THE RIGHT REAR. THERE WAS A 3 INCH SLIT NEAR THE TREAD. PUT SPARE ON IN ITS PLACE. TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE RETAILER & WAS INFORMED NOTHING CAN BE DONE. OWNER BROUGHT A DIFFERENT TIRE AS SPARE. PROT TO FLAT, HAD EXPERIENCED FLAPPING NOISE AGAINST VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING & GETTING WORSE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #873090

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Tires

MY PROBLEM IS THAT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NO ONE HAS METION THE FACT THAT THESE TIRES ARE BEING SOLD AN INSTALLED ON NEW FORD EXPLORER SPORTS 2001 MODELS AND THAT THESE TIRES HAVE A TEMPITURE RATING OF ( C ) THE LOWEST RATING,THESE TIRES WILL PROBLEY MELT OUT HERE IN ARIZONA BEFORE THE TREAD COMES OFF.…

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MY PROBLEM IS THAT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NO ONE HAS METION THE FACT THAT THESE TIRES ARE BEING SOLD AN INSTALLED ON NEW FORD EXPLORER SPORTS 2001 MODELS AND THAT THESE TIRES HAVE A TEMPITURE RATING OF ( C ) THE LOWEST RATING,THESE TIRES WILL PROBLEY MELT OUT HERE IN ARIZONA BEFORE THE TREAD COMES OFF.I HAVE WRITTEN 3 LETTERS TO FORD AN FIRESTONE AND ALL THEY DO IS REPLY WITH SOME BULK GENERIC LETTER,SO I AM SURE NO ONE REALLY READS THEM SO MUCH FOR THE FULL PAGE ADDS THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TAKES OUT TO SHOW THE CUSTOMER THEY CARS ABOUT SAFTY FIRST.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.ALLAN SOBRANE.. (DOT NUMBER: 8XUC TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)

NHTSA ODI #733870

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Tires

VERY CONCERNED AS TO WHY ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, WHEN IT IS CLEAR THEY ARE EXPERIENCING FAILURES OF TIRES ASSEMBLED IN PLANTS OTHER THAN JUST THE DECATOR IL. PLANT, WHILE THESE TIRE HAVE BEEN RECALLED, AND REPLACED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT NOT IN THE U.S. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VECHICLE…

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VERY CONCERNED AS TO WHY ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, WHEN IT IS CLEAR THEY ARE EXPERIENCING FAILURES OF TIRES ASSEMBLED IN PLANTS OTHER THAN JUST THE DECATOR IL. PLANT, WHILE THESE TIRE HAVE BEEN RECALLED, AND REPLACED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT NOT IN THE U.S. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VECHICLE, AND AM CONSTANT FEAR FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY AS WE USE THIS VEHICLE FOR TRIPS, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SINCE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE TIRES BECAME KNOWN, YET OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE TAKEN ACTION AGAINST FIRESTONE TO REPLACE TIRES, YET THE U.S. CONTINUES TO ALLOW DEATHS, INJURIES TO GO ON. PLEASE REQUIRE FIRESTONE TO EXPAND THEIR RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #733638

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2000
Tires

CONSUMER HAS A 2001, FORD EXPLORER WITH 800 MILES ON THE TIRES. PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE STARTED TO SEPARATE AT SIDEWALL. DEALER SAID IT WAS COVERED. THEN RENEGED & SAID THE CONSUMER HIT SOMETHING. DEALER ENDED UP ORDERING A REPLACEMENT TIRE. CONSUMER WANTED THE OLD TIRE BACK WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED & A CONFERENCE CALL WAS D…

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CONSUMER HAS A 2001, FORD EXPLORER WITH 800 MILES ON THE TIRES. PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE STARTED TO SEPARATE AT SIDEWALL. DEALER SAID IT WAS COVERED. THEN RENEGED & SAID THE CONSUMER HIT SOMETHING. DEALER ENDED UP ORDERING A REPLACEMENT TIRE. CONSUMER WANTED THE OLD TIRE BACK WHICH THE DEALER REFUSED & A CONFERENCE CALL WAS DONE WITH FIRESTONE TO DEMAND THAT THE THE DEALER REFUND CONSUMER FOR THE FULL VALUE OF THE TIRE. TIRE SIZE P255/70R16. DOT UNKNOWN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #871549

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Tires

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON HYW 99 ON THE AFTERNOON OF 9/24/2000 AROUND 1:00PM. IT WAS A CLEAR SUNNY DAY. I WAS TRAVELING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR IN THE RIGHT LANE (SLOW LANE). THERE WERE NO OBJECTS ON THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, I FELT MY CAR BEGIN TO FISHTAIL AND THEN ALL OF A SUD…

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I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON HYW 99 ON THE AFTERNOON OF 9/24/2000 AROUND 1:00PM. IT WAS A CLEAR SUNNY DAY. I WAS TRAVELING AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR IN THE RIGHT LANE (SLOW LANE). THERE WERE NO OBJECTS ON THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY, I FELT MY CAR BEGIN TO FISHTAIL AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME APART. FORTANATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS NEAR A SHOULDER SO I WAS ABLE TO MANUVER AND CONTROL MY VEHICLE OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRESTONE TIRE CAME COMPLETELY APART. THE CHP TOOK A REPORT AND PICTURES. MY CAR IS ONLY THREE MONTHS OLD. IT IS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE TIRE SHOULD NOT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED THE WAY IT DID. THE FIRESTONE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO ALL FIRESTONE TIRES NOT ONLY THE ONES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED AT THE DECATUR PLANT. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE TIRES THAT WERE ON MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALL. WHEN I DID GET A HOLD OF SOMEONE I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAD MY TIRES CHECKED BY BIG O TIRES. THEY CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE AND IT WAS FINE. THE DEALERSHIP NOW IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT ROAD HAZARD CAUSED MY TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE ROAD THAT WAS A HAZARD AND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSE MY TIRE TO COME APART THE WAY IT DID. THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE AND HAVING LOW AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRE. IF TRAVELING 15 MILES IS LONG DISTANCE THEN I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE TIRES IF I ACTUALLY DID TRAVEL MORE THAN 15 MILES. I HAD THE AIR PRESSURE CHECKED IN MY TIRES AT BIG O TIRES AND THE AIR PRESSURE WAS FINE. IT CONCERNS ME THAT I HAVE A NEW VEHICLE AND THE TIRE COMES APART SO SOON AND IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT ARE VERY UNCOOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #732425

Official recalls

6

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.

00V313000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 17, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567.4, "CERTIFICATION." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED FROM THE ASSEMBLY PLANT WITHOUT SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN TIRE TREAD SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CERTIFICATION LABELS.

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

2

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.

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