CONSUMER WRITES TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE BUSINESS PRACTICES OF A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR CENTER. *TGW THE CONSUMER DID NOT THINK, THE REPAIR FACILITY WAS ACTUALLY PERFORMING THE SERVICES ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION, DUE TO LOW TIRE TREAD. HE STATED HE WAS JUST IN THE REPAIR FAC…
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CONSUMER WRITES TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE BUSINESS PRACTICES OF A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR CENTER. *TGW THE CONSUMER DID NOT THINK, THE REPAIR FACILITY WAS ACTUALLY PERFORMING THE SERVICES ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION, DUE TO LOW TIRE TREAD. HE STATED HE WAS JUST IN THE REPAIR FACILITY ONE MONTH PRIOR, AND NO MENTIONED TO HIM, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. ALSO, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE NEW ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10638957
81,000 miles · May 22, 2014
TiresCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH MICHELIN T235- 70T16 16' LATITUDE TOUR TIRES . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE TIRE WALL BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH MICHELIN T235- 70T16 16' LATITUDE TOUR TIRES . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE TIRE WALL BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #10593403
72,000 miles · Oct 3, 2012
StructureTires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW SPLIT AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW, WHICH EXTENDED TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE DAMAGE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD EXPLODE WHEN SHE DROVE THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE CONTACT A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW SPLIT AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW, WHICH EXTENDED TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE DAMAGE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD EXPLODE WHEN SHE DROVE THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HEAT COULD BE A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LATCH FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE TIRE SENSOR GAUGE REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE TIRE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE OF THE TIRES ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10478494
68,874 miles · Apr 18, 2012
SuspensionTires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER, EQUIPPED WITH GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS P235/75/R16 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS AP70L2113710. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME AND CONSISTENT TREAD WEAR ON THE TIRES. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDROPLANE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER, EQUIPPED WITH GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS P235/75/R16 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS AP70L2113710. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME AND CONSISTENT TREAD WEAR ON THE TIRES. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDROPLANE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,575 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,874. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/21/12 *BF UPDATED 06/01/12
NHTSA ODI #10455649
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2011
Tires
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER CAME WITH METAL VALVE CAPS ON THE TIRES, WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE WITH A LOW PRESSURE SIGNAL ON, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE CAPS WERE FROZEN ONTO THE STEMS, AND IF HE TRIED TO TAKE OFF THE CAPS, THEY WOULD SNAP THE SENSORS IN THE TIRES, AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600. TO REPLACE ALL FOU…
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MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER CAME WITH METAL VALVE CAPS ON THE TIRES, WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE WITH A LOW PRESSURE SIGNAL ON, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE CAPS WERE FROZEN ONTO THE STEMS, AND IF HE TRIED TO TAKE OFF THE CAPS, THEY WOULD SNAP THE SENSORS IN THE TIRES, AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600. TO REPLACE ALL FOUR SENSORS. I RESPONDED THAT IT WOULD COST $600. TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES BECAUSE OF A DESIGN DEFECT? THE RESPONSE WAS YES. MY POINT, IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO CORRECT A MFR'S DESIGN ERROR, YOU ARE RIDING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES, CREATING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384297
35,000 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineTires
HAVE OWNED 2005 FORD EXPLORER SINCE NEW. AFTER 35,000 MILES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO BOTTOM OUT ON EMPTY FOLLOWED BY A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYING ON. THE GAUGE WILL START WORKING AGAIN OFF AND ON BUT IT'S NOT RELIABLE. TRIED RUNNING A FUEL CLEANER THROUGH IT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND DID NOTHING FOR IT. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE…
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HAVE OWNED 2005 FORD EXPLORER SINCE NEW. AFTER 35,000 MILES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO BOTTOM OUT ON EMPTY FOLLOWED BY A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYING ON. THE GAUGE WILL START WORKING AGAIN OFF AND ON BUT IT'S NOT RELIABLE. TRIED RUNNING A FUEL CLEANER THROUGH IT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND DID NOTHING FOR IT. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SAYS IT'S READING A BAD SENSOR IN ONE OF THE WHEELS. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND BABIED BY MY WIFE. THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF CONSUMERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME TROUBLES WITH THE SAME VEHICLES. WHY IS FORD NOT HELD LIABLE FOR THESE DEFECTS? THIS WAS NOT A BUDGET LOW COST CAR. WE PAID OVER $36,000.00 FOR THIS SUV. PLEASE HELP US IN ANY WAY YOU CAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357442
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2009
Tires
BULGE IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267523
100,000 miles · Oct 26, 2008
Tires
I WAS REMOVING CAPS ON VALVE STEMS TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE WHEN THE VALVE STEM BROKE OFF IN THE CAP. IT IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED THE TIRE COMPLETELY! I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND COMING OFF THE RIM. I HAD THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD ALOT OF VEHI…
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I WAS REMOVING CAPS ON VALVE STEMS TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE WHEN THE VALVE STEM BROKE OFF IN THE CAP. IT IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED THE TIRE COMPLETELY! I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND COMING OFF THE RIM. I HAD THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD ALOT OF VEHICLES IN THAT THE VALVE STEMS HAD BROKEN OFF. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM NOW AFRAID THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON THE OTHER TIRES COULD DO THE SAME THING. BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE TIRE SENSORS IN VALVE STEMS IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE AND ONLY A FORD DEALER CAN GET THE PART AND RECALIBRATE THE COMPUTER FOR THE SENSORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246729
14,000 miles · Aug 24, 2008
Tires
TIRES HAVE SMALL CRACKS ALONG TREAD LUGS AND SIDEWALL TREAD LUGS. I AM AFRAID THEY WILL BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239533
29,100 miles · Jan 16, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TOURING (NA), SIZE LT235/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE TIRE MOUNT. PRIOR …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN CROSS TOURING (NA), SIZE LT235/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE TIRE TO THE VEHICLE WAS THE TIRE MOUNT. PRIOR TO OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE AND THE TREAD WAS 4 AND 5/30 SECONDS. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,100. UPDATED 02/12/08. *LJ THE TIRE BLOW CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10215105
Official recalls
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NHTSA investigations
2
EA09013 · 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.
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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