NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
10 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 29, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH CHILD SAFE LOCKS AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE LACK OF HAVING THE SAFETY FEATURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH CHILD SAFE LOCKS AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE LACK OF HAVING THE SAFETY FEATURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10453424
69,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
THIS PROBLEM IS VERY STRESSFUL ON A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A HEART CONDITION WHO'S HEART IS FUNCTIONING AT 60% AND ON MEDICATION EVERYDAY. UPPER BACK HATCH HAS FACTORY DEFECT CRACK NEXT TO THE LOCK, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT HAS BEEN UNLOCKING ITSELF AT RANDOM, WHILE SITTING STILL OR DRIVING. NO INJURIES, MUGGINGS ,THEFT,…
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THIS PROBLEM IS VERY STRESSFUL ON A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A HEART CONDITION WHO'S HEART IS FUNCTIONING AT 60% AND ON MEDICATION EVERYDAY. UPPER BACK HATCH HAS FACTORY DEFECT CRACK NEXT TO THE LOCK, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT HAS BEEN UNLOCKING ITSELF AT RANDOM, WHILE SITTING STILL OR DRIVING. NO INJURIES, MUGGINGS ,THEFT,KIDNAPPING OF GRANDCHILDREN AND/ OR ESCAPE OR THEFT OF FOUR CHILDREN YET!!!. I DO NOT HAVE THE EXTRA MONIES TO FIX..IT IS FORDS FACTORY DEFECT THAT I SEE ON EXPLORERS EVERYWHERE. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM , AND THEY STILL CLAIM NO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386089
70,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308259
41,000 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONLY 41 THOUSAND MILES. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED, THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE LOCK MECHANISM WERE CAUGHT INSIDE THE DOOR JAM, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BUTTON ON THE INSIDE DRIVERS …
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LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVER DOOR STOPPED WORKING AFTER ONLY 41 THOUSAND MILES. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED, THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE LOCK MECHANISM WERE CAUGHT INSIDE THE DOOR JAM, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BUTTON ON THE INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THE BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL, THEREFORE I AM SUBMITTING THIS REQUEST FOR REVIEW AND FOLLOW-UP FOR POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECTS. NO ACCIDENTS LED UP TO THIS EVENT, IT WAS JUST A SUDDEN ONSET WHERE THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AFTER VERY LITTLE USE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221161
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
2005 FORD EXPLORER, REAR LIFTGATE GLASS WILL OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I CAN BE GOING 30 MPH OR 60 MPH, DOESN'T MATTER. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY PATTERN AS TO WHEN IT HAPPENS, SO IS UNPREDICTABLE. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION I…
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2005 FORD EXPLORER, REAR LIFTGATE GLASS WILL OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I CAN BE GOING 30 MPH OR 60 MPH, DOESN'T MATTER. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY PATTERN AS TO WHEN IT HAPPENS, SO IS UNPREDICTABLE. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM ON A 6 LANE EXCHANGE. ALSO, IF I HAVE MY DOGS IN THE BACK OR ANYONE SITTING IN THE 3RD ROW, ANOTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION IS CREATED. THERE IS NO WAY TO "BUNGEE" THE GLASS PORTION TO SECURE IT. YOU CAN ONLY BUNGEE THE LOWER PORTION OF THE HATCH- NOT THE GLASS PORTION. LIVING WHERE WE CAN HAVE A HIGH WIND GUST AT ANY MOMENT CREATES YET ANOTHER PROBLEM SHOULD IT POP OPEN AND I CANT GET PULLED OVER FAST ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALER FOR THE 3RD TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE FORD COMPANY ITSELF, AND THEY HAVE OPENED A FILE. (FOR WHAT GOOD THAT HAS DONE ME) THEY CAN NOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM, SO THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO FIX. WILL THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO BE RETURNED TO ME "UNFIXED" UNTIL MY WARRANTY PERIOD IS UP, AND THEN IT TRULY BECOMES "MY" FINANCIAL PROBLEM? THESE VEHICLES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM CONTINUE. WILL IT TAKE A DISASTER AND SOMEONE BEING INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE, FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178563
10,924 miles · Jun 14, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HATCH LIFTGATE GLASS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LATCH LOCK ON THE LIFTGATE HATCH DOOR GLASS NEEDED REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH SWITC…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HATCH LIFTGATE GLASS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LATCH LOCK ON THE LIFTGATE HATCH DOOR GLASS NEEDED REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH SWITCH FOR THE REAR HATCH GLASS WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10159862
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
BOTH THE REAR LIFT-GATE AND BACK DOOR HAS OPENED ON ME, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND RESIDENTIAL ROADS, 6 TIMES ON MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 6,500 MILES ON IT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY I'LL BE TRANSPORTING SOMETHING AND THE BACK DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY PERSONA…
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BOTH THE REAR LIFT-GATE AND BACK DOOR HAS OPENED ON ME, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND RESIDENTIAL ROADS, 6 TIMES ON MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 6,500 MILES ON IT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY I'LL BE TRANSPORTING SOMETHING AND THE BACK DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS HAVE FLOWN OUT THE BACK INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN THIS OCCURS - IT'S VERY SPORADIC. THE MESSAGE CENTER DOES WARN ME THE LIFTGATE IS AJAR (TOO BAD I'M ALREADY DRIVING AND IT'S TOO LATE), AND THEN THE BACK HATCH OR BACK DOOR WILL OPEN UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM - THEREFORE ARE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10136408
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIFTGATE (GLASS PORTION) OF MY 2005 EXPLORER WILL POP OPEN. THERE ARE NO PATTERNS (I.E. HITTING A BUMP) TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR IS I WILL BE HAULING SOMETHING - THE BACK WILL COME OPEN AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL OUT ONTO THE RAOD. MY DOGS TRAVEL BACK THERE TO AND FROM DOG SHOWS. I TOOK IT…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIFTGATE (GLASS PORTION) OF MY 2005 EXPLORER WILL POP OPEN. THERE ARE NO PATTERNS (I.E. HITTING A BUMP) TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR IS I WILL BE HAULING SOMETHING - THE BACK WILL COME OPEN AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL OUT ONTO THE RAOD. MY DOGS TRAVEL BACK THERE TO AND FROM DOG SHOWS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY ADJUSTED THE STRIKE PLATE. IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN'T DEFINE THE PROBLEM SO THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #10129930
1,700 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
REAR LIFTGATE (GLASS DOOR SECTION) OPENS BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. FIRST A WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS "LIFTGAGE AJAR" THEN THE DOOR OPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2005 WITH 3,500 MILES HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES & THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10129470
1,680 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages
BACK DOOR LATCH ON MY FORD EXPLORER 2005 HAS COME OPEN TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110185
NHTSA investigations
2EA09013 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Aug 18, 2009 · Closed Feb 12, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift; Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering:column
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
Steering
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.
PE09020 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Apr 21, 2009 · Closed Aug 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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