NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
151 reportsClear category filter59,752 miles · Mar 27, 2014
Power TrainStructureSuspension
2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR AXLE LEAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLES WERE REPLACED AT 59,752. A YEAR LATER AFTER LISTENING TO THE NOISE IN THE REAR END FOR QUITE SOME TIME, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. SIX MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, THE REAR PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW …
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2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR AXLE LEAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLES WERE REPLACED AT 59,752. A YEAR LATER AFTER LISTENING TO THE NOISE IN THE REAR END FOR QUITE SOME TIME, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. SIX MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, THE REAR PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW WAS RUSTED AND THE THROTTLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS IT IS CAUSING VEHICLE HESITATION.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10572495
80,200 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Structure
THE REAR HATCH HAS CRACKED NEXT TO THE EMBLEM. I'M CERTAIN THAT WATER GETS INSIDE WHEN WASHED OR IT RAINS. NOW THAT I'M PAYING ATTN MANY EXPLORERS HAVE ONE OR MORE CRACKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572877
61,000 miles · Mar 8, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityStructure
FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - GARAGE KEPT, LOW MILES DUE TO WORKING FROM HOME. DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE BACK HATCH UPPER PANEL. WHEN REPORTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) THE AGENT INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND ALL FORD DEALERS ARE AWARE OF IT. I DISCOVERED OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS AROUND THE COUNTY …
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FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - GARAGE KEPT, LOW MILES DUE TO WORKING FROM HOME. DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE BACK HATCH UPPER PANEL. WHEN REPORTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) THE AGENT INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND ALL FORD DEALERS ARE AWARE OF IT. I DISCOVERED OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS AROUND THE COUNTY WITH THE SAME CRACK. CRACK IS CAUSED BY LACK OF STABILIZATION BEHIND THE PANEL AND THE CRACK APPEARS DUE TO REGULAR CLOSING OF THE BACK HATCH. STARTS WITH A SINGLE CRACK (CAN LEAD TO MULTIPLE CRACKS). THE CRACK ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE BACK HATCH AREA CAUSING RUST AND DISABLING OR LIMITING THE BACK WINDOW WIPER. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD AND EMAILED THEM REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY TAKE CARE OF. COST TO REPAIR CAN RUN ANYWHERE FROM $275 TO $1,000, DEPENDING UPON THE SEVERITY. WE HAVE STARTED A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THOSE OF US AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND OUR NUMBER IS GROWING EVERY DAY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE 2002 THRU 2006 FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS. FORD HAS CHANGED THE MANUFACTURING FOR THE YEARS FOLLOWING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567899
45,000 miles · Mar 7, 2014
Structure
THE PAINT BUBBLED AND PEELED ON THE ROOF OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. DEALER SAYS IT IS A PAINT DEFECT BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. HAD MY ROOF REPAINTED AT MY EXPENSE. NOW, ANYTIME IT RAINS, I AM GETTING WATER LEAKING FROM THE REAR AC UNIT CONTROLS AND MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CARPETING IS SOAKING WET. *T…
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THE PAINT BUBBLED AND PEELED ON THE ROOF OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. DEALER SAYS IT IS A PAINT DEFECT BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. HAD MY ROOF REPAINTED AT MY EXPENSE. NOW, ANYTIME IT RAINS, I AM GETTING WATER LEAKING FROM THE REAR AC UNIT CONTROLS AND MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CARPETING IS SOAKING WET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567847
130,000 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL NEAR THE HATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567621
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2014
Structure
THERE'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, THE 7 X 55 PANEL, THE ONE WITH THE FORD LOGO IN IT. IT CRACKS. IT DID IT TWICE ON OURS, WE REPLACED IT ONCE COSTING US $500. OUR REPAIRMAN SAID HE'S SEEN THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MANY FORD'. WE LOOKED INTO IT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER EXPERTS AGREE ON THE DEFECT. THE FIRST TIME WE…
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THERE'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, THE 7 X 55 PANEL, THE ONE WITH THE FORD LOGO IN IT. IT CRACKS. IT DID IT TWICE ON OURS, WE REPLACED IT ONCE COSTING US $500. OUR REPAIRMAN SAID HE'S SEEN THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MANY FORD'. WE LOOKED INTO IT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER EXPERTS AGREE ON THE DEFECT. THE FIRST TIME WE TRIED TO BRING ATTENTION TO FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY BLEW US OFF, NOT EVEN HAVING THE COURTESY TO GET OUR LETTER TO THE PERSON IT WAS ADDRESSED. AS HUMAN NATURE, FORD TRIED TO MANIPULATE THE PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION ACTUALLY CONVINCING THEMSELVES AND TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WE LIKE TO KEEP ALL OUR STUFF NICE BUT CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE DOESN?T LOOK NICE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO THROW AWAY OUR MONEY ON A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. AGAIN, IT IS DEFECTIVE, ANYONE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE INDUSTRY AND BODYWORK, WITH ANY SENSE, CAN REALIZE THE PROBLEM. ON OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO PROPOSE FORD?S RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM WE DIDN?T DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME WE?RE READY TO GO AT IT IN FULL FORCE (ATTORNEY GENERAL, BBB, LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS, AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION) IF FORD DOESN?T FIND A FAIR WAY TO COMPENSATE US. THE ISSUE BEING THE FIRST PANEL BEING DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED ALLOWING US TO DRIVE AROUND IN A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; REPLACING THE PRODUCT FOR $500 WHICH STILL HAD THE ISSUE AND ONCE AGAIN WE?RE DRIVING AROUND WITH A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; RESALE VALUE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION IN HOPEFULLY RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565665
275,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Structure
I AM THE 1 AND ONLY OWNER OF 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, AND THE REAR UPPER TAILGATE HAS A VERTICAL CRACK RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD LOGO THAT SPANS FROM WINDOW TO BASE 2CM IN WIDTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565548
60,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10563016
80,000 miles · Dec 26, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TAIL SILL PLATE ON THE LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10557265
60,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE LIFT GATE UNDER THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10550977
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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