NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
497 reports36,000 miles · Dec 7, 2007
SeatsFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR AN HOUR AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO FLAMES, BUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY BURNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SEAT HEATER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR AN HOUR AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO FLAMES, BUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY BURNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SEAT HEATER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10211114
8,600 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
A FIRE STARTED IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN THE CONSOLE AREA ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE SELF EXTINGUISHED AS THE OXYGEN WAS REDUCED. THE FIRE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CONSOLE AREA UP THROUGH THE CENTER CONTROLS TO THE CEILING CONTROLS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES IT IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICA…
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A FIRE STARTED IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN THE CONSOLE AREA ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE SELF EXTINGUISHED AS THE OXYGEN WAS REDUCED. THE FIRE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CONSOLE AREA UP THROUGH THE CENTER CONTROLS TO THE CEILING CONTROLS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES IT IS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN THE CONSOLE AREA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208097
37,000 miles · Oct 29, 2007
Fuel System, Other
THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY EVEN WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD THIS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED BEFORE 36000 MILES. MY HUSBAND HAS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE JUST BOUGHT IN APRIL 2007. HIS JUST HIT 37,000 MILES AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM AS WELL. IT ALSO HAPPENED …
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THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY EVEN WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD THIS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAPPENED BEFORE 36000 MILES. MY HUSBAND HAS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT WE JUST BOUGHT IN APRIL 2007. HIS JUST HIT 37,000 MILES AND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HIM AS WELL. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN MY COWORKER'S 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORERS WITH V6 ENGINE COVERING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE 2005S ARE NOT IN THE RECALL AND SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10207260
68,000 miles · Oct 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
FOLLOWING A INCREASINGLY LOUDENING 'TICKING' NOISE, THE ENGINE EJECTED A SPARK PLUG, DESTROYING OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE BAY AND RENDERING THE ENTIRE ENGINE USELESS. SHRAPNEL FROM THE EXPLODED PLUG ENTERED THE CYLINDER CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. FORCE OF PLUG EJECTION DESTROYED THREADS ON CYLINDER HEAD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10206515
89,000 miles · Sep 24, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH-PITCHED WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEAR AND PINION SET FAILED. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH-PITCHED WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEAR AND PINION SET FAILED. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10203991
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2007
Visibility
ELECTRIC WINDOWS FOR BACK SEAT PASSENGERS WERE INOPERABLE. DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2006 WITH 21,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE BACK WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2007. DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW QUIT WORKING IN SEPTEMBER 2007, BUT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO GET FIXED YET.…
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ELECTRIC WINDOWS FOR BACK SEAT PASSENGERS WERE INOPERABLE. DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2006 WITH 21,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE BACK WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2007. DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW QUIT WORKING IN SEPTEMBER 2007, BUT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO GET FIXED YET. THE WINDOWS HAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES DID NOT WORK SOMETIMES WHEN I TRIED TO LOWER THEM . I DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN UNTIL THE WINDOW HADN'T WORK IN SEVERAL DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203574
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train
2005 EXPLORER WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR SHUTTING OFF AND PASSING GEARS ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *KB THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE JERKED INTO PASSING GEAR WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS…
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2005 EXPLORER WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR SHUTTING OFF AND PASSING GEARS ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *KB THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE JERKED INTO PASSING GEAR WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10202676
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2007
Fuel System, Other
FUEL SYSTEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I JUST FILLED MY CAR UP WITH GAS AND I DROVE FOR LESS THAN A MILE AND THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECK OUT, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT DAY AND THE NEXT DAY IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *…
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FUEL SYSTEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I JUST FILLED MY CAR UP WITH GAS AND I DROVE FOR LESS THAN A MILE AND THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECK OUT, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT DAY AND THE NEXT DAY IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200468
49,172 miles · Aug 8, 2007
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO CRASH BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,172.
NHTSA ODI #10198829
65,000 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR HUB PRESSED INTO THE BEARING. HE REPLACED THE BEARING APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AGO. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR HUB PRESSED INTO THE BEARING. HE REPLACED THE BEARING APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AGO. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10197992
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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