NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
63 reports85,000 miles · Oct 12, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY VEHICLE HAS BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT ON BOTH INCIDENTS. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM DO TO WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON-LINE. THERE IS EVEN A COMPANY THAT MAKES A REPAIR KIT AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA WHICH W…
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MY VEHICLE HAS BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT ON BOTH INCIDENTS. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM DO TO WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON-LINE. THERE IS EVEN A COMPANY THAT MAKES A REPAIR KIT AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA WHICH WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139500
52,400 miles · Sep 22, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
BOLTS RUSTED TO MY MANIFOLDS ( ON BOTH ) SIDES. HAD TO HAVE BOTH MANIFOLDS REPLACED AND THE HEADS BORED OUT. IF I DID NOT REALIZE THE NOISE AND HAD IT FIXED IT WOULD HAVE CRACKED MY HEADS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10137285
199,000 miles · Apr 1, 2005
Tires
BELTS SHIFTING IN TREAD OF TIRE, CAUSING TIRE TO BECOME OUT OF ROUND AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND WONDER VERY BADLY. BOTH TIMES AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116224
69,000 miles · Dec 20, 2004
Power Train
THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING FAILED AND NOW HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTOR TO BE REBUILT. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID SINCE NOT AT FORD REPAIR CENTER WILL NOT LOOK INTO COMPENSATION OF A TRANSMISSION WITH THE KNOW PRODUCTION FLAW. IT IS ALLOVER THE INTERNED, CENTER SUPPORT BEARING FAILURE, BAD DESIGN OF CASE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10104135
62,790 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Suspension
2000 F-250 4X4 FRONT HUB: I HAD TO CHANGE BOTH FRONT HUBS ON MY 2000 4X4 F-250 WITH ONLY 62,790 MILES AND THE BEARING LOCKED-UP ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER WAS LOOSE. IT COST ME $ 1,225.00 TO REPLACE THE HUBS AND SEALS, EACH HUB COST 408.00 AND EACH SEAL COST 38.00 FROM FORD. I TALKED TO 2 OTHER PEOPLE WITH A FORD 4X4 AND THAY HAD…
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2000 F-250 4X4 FRONT HUB: I HAD TO CHANGE BOTH FRONT HUBS ON MY 2000 4X4 F-250 WITH ONLY 62,790 MILES AND THE BEARING LOCKED-UP ON ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER WAS LOOSE. IT COST ME $ 1,225.00 TO REPLACE THE HUBS AND SEALS, EACH HUB COST 408.00 AND EACH SEAL COST 38.00 FROM FORD. I TALKED TO 2 OTHER PEOPLE WITH A FORD 4X4 AND THAY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE COST BECAUSE IT HAS ONLY 62,790 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ,ONE HAD 46,000 MILES AND THE OTHER HAD 74,000 MILES . THE BEARING COULD BE CHANGED @ AROUND 40.00 TO 60.00 BUT FORD HAS ON THE BEARINGRETANER NUT PART DO NOT REMOVE. TO ME I THINK FORD JUST WANT TO MAKE MORE MONEY ON THE WHOLE HUB WITH THE BEARINGS . PS ALSO GLAD I WASN'T GOING TO FAST WHEN IT LOCKED UP
NHTSA ODI #10086278
45,111 miles · Jul 7, 2004
TiresCrashInjury
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED TO THIS SITE AND THE FIRESTONE CUSTOMER RELATIONS OF MY STEELTEX A/T TIRE CRACKING ON THE SIDE WALL. I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THEM CHECKED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THE INTEGRITY OF THE TIRE WAS NOT COMPROMISED. ON JULY 7, 2004, MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED (MINOR INJURY) WHEN THE RIGHT …
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I HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED TO THIS SITE AND THE FIRESTONE CUSTOMER RELATIONS OF MY STEELTEX A/T TIRE CRACKING ON THE SIDE WALL. I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THEM CHECKED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THE INTEGRITY OF THE TIRE WAS NOT COMPROMISED. ON JULY 7, 2004, MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED (MINOR INJURY) WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRE EXPLODED, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AS WE WERE TRAVELING 70 MILES AN HOUR ON I-85 NORTH. THIS IS A BAD PRODUCT AND I BELIEVE MY SUSPICIONS WERE CORRECT WHEN I PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED TO EVERYONE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080558
95,570 miles · May 26, 2004
Suspension
FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. WITH ALMOST NO PRECEDING EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING FAILED, CAUSING THE TOW VEHICLE, FORD F350 DRW 6X6, TO ABRUPTLY VEER FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE STABILIZING ANTI-SWAY EQUIPMENT THAT CONNECTED THE TRUCK TO THE 34' TRAVEL TRAILER ENABLED ME TO KEEP FROM IN…
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FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. WITH ALMOST NO PRECEDING EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING FAILED, CAUSING THE TOW VEHICLE, FORD F350 DRW 6X6, TO ABRUPTLY VEER FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE STABILIZING ANTI-SWAY EQUIPMENT THAT CONNECTED THE TRUCK TO THE 34' TRAVEL TRAILER ENABLED ME TO KEEP FROM INADVERTENTLY EXITING A 200' HIGH BRIDGE. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE ABRUPT FAILURE WAS THE APPEARANCE OF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT. WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE WHEELS FOR EXCESSIVE HEAT, AND NOTED NO PULLING OR NOISE. ALL BRAKE APPLICATIONS WERE SMOOTH AND NO DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. UNTIL WE BEGAN THE CLIMB UP AND OVER THE JACKSONVILLE FLA I-295 BYPASS BRIDGE OVER THE ST JOHNS RIVER. AS WE BEGAN THE DESCENT [CENTER LANE] THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY LURCH FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THE STEERING WHEEL DRIVEN TO FULL LEFT AND THEN FULL RIGHT ROTATION--THE VEHICLE/RIG WOBBLING FROM LANE TO LANE. WE NOTED NO EVIDENCE OF SMOKE, HOT BRAKES. I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW US DOWN AS WE ENTERED THE EXIT RAMP, WE LOST ALL TRUCK BRAKES AND I USED THE JORDAN TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER TO BRING THE RIG TO A HALT. 2. UPON DELIVERY TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, THE TECHNICIANS DISCOVERED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING. HAD THE TRUCK BEEN DRIVEN WITHOUT THE AIRSTREAM TRAVEL TRAILER AND REESE STRAIT LINE DUAL CAM SWAY SYSTEM, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN CERTAIN FATALITIES. 3. THE MIKE SHAD FORD TRUCK CENTER REPLACED THE DAMAGED EQUIPMENT [AXLE, HUB ASSEMBLY, BEARINGS, ALL ELECTRONICS RELATED, NEW BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND RE-ALIGNED THE FRONT END. ] A DISCUSSION WITH THE TRUCK CENTER MANAGER REVEALED THAT 1. HAVING GONE 95.570 MILES AND NOT HAVE INCURRED A FAILURE OF THE HUB BEARINGS WAS UNIQUE FOR THE COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE OVER DECADES SHOWS THESE FACTORY SEALED BEARINGS FAIL AROUND A MEAN MILEAGE OF 40,000 MILES... *NM
NHTSA ODI #10073194
62,000 miles · Feb 11, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2000 F-250 WITH 62,000 MI. AND HAD ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BACK OUT AND STRIP OUT THE LAST FEW THREADS. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE 5.4 ENGINE IS KNOWN FOR THIS AND THAT FORDS ONLY FIX TO IT WAS TO REPLACE THE HEAD AT @ $1500.00 PER HEAD. HE REFERRED ME TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT DEVISED A CHEAPER FIX OF RET…
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I HAVE A 2000 F-250 WITH 62,000 MI. AND HAD ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BACK OUT AND STRIP OUT THE LAST FEW THREADS. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE 5.4 ENGINE IS KNOWN FOR THIS AND THAT FORDS ONLY FIX TO IT WAS TO REPLACE THE HEAD AT @ $1500.00 PER HEAD. HE REFERRED ME TO ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT DEVISED A CHEAPER FIX OF RETAPPING THE PLUG HOLE. THIS MECHANIC SAID THAT HE PERSONALLY HAS DONE 5 TO INCLUDE MY TRUCK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056975
92,037 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINE FAILURE. RUBBED HOLE IN BRAKE LINE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10043799
46,000 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Tires
WHILE DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE 40 IN BARSTOW, CA THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T LT265-75R16 123/1200 LOAD RANGE E M/S TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR OF MY FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. NO INJURIES BUT DAMAGE SUFFERED TO THE WHEEL WELL AND UNDERCARRIAGE. THEN, ON JULY 19, 2003 WE NOTICED A BULGE ON THE LEFT FRONT TI…
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WHILE DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE 40 IN BARSTOW, CA THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T LT265-75R16 123/1200 LOAD RANGE E M/S TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR OF MY FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. NO INJURIES BUT DAMAGE SUFFERED TO THE WHEEL WELL AND UNDERCARRIAGE. THEN, ON JULY 19, 2003 WE NOTICED A BULGE ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. UPON EXAMINATION IT APPEARS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER TREAD SEPARATION. WE HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF BOTH TIRES AND ARE STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE 2ND TIRE WITH THE BULGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10029047
NHTSA investigations
4EA06012 · Engine Stalling
Opened Jun 22, 2006 · Closed Dec 7, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT PRODUCES IS VITAL TO THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM.CPS SIGNAL LOSS TERMINATES FUEL INJECTION RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.ONCE STALLED, THE ENGINE MAY RESTART RIGHT AWAY, OR MAY RESTART AFTER A DELAY (TYPICALLY 5 TO 10 MINUTES), OR MAY NOT RESTART AT ALL.IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS TO CRASH RISK DUE TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT, ENGINE STALLING ALSO EFFECTS THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING. THROUGH CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, ODI DETERMINED THAT CPS FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY FORM OF WARNING, AT ANY VEHICLE SPEED (50% AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING.CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE VEHICLES FAILED TO RESTART, WITH ANOTHER THIRD REPORTING DELAYED RESTARTING.HALF THE VEHICLES THAT DID RESTART EXPERIENCED ANOTHER STALL ON THE SAME OR A SUBSEQUENT DRIVE CYCLE (BEFORE CPS REPLACEMENT) RE-EXPOSING THOSE CONSUMERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A STALLING EVENT.IN THEIR VOQ REPORTS, HALF OF THE ODI COMPLAINANTS DESCRIBED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE TOWING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE ONE ALLEGED INJURY INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN A SUBJECT VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC.ALTHOUGH UNSUBSTANTIATED, THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED AN INJURY TO A CHILD OCCUPANT DURING ODI'S INTERVIEW.THE OTHER CRASH ALLEGATIONS MOSTLY INVOLVED LOW SPEED, LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF POWER ASSIST; NO INJURIES ARE REPORTED IN THESE INCIDENTS, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, IF ANY, WAS MINIMAL.CONSUMERS ALSO REPORTED OTHER INCIDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISKS, SUCH AS DISABLEMENT IN A LANE OR ON A SHOULDER OF A HIGH-SPEED ROADWAY OR INTERSTATE, OR EXTENDED DISABLEMENT IN REMOTE AREAS DURING SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE POPULATION ABOVE IS FORD'S ESTIMATE OF THE 1.4 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED THAT ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED.THE FORD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS NOTED ABOVE ARE CURRENT AS OF FORD'S LAST SUBMISSION DATED JUNE 21, 2007; THEY DO NOT INCLUDE F-450, F-550, OR ECONOLINE COUNTS AS THESE PRODUCTS WERE NOT FORMALLY WITHIN SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION WHEN FAILURE INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED.WARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT ABOUT HALF THE CLAIMS INVOLVED A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT ( FORD'S ASSESSMENT) AND THAT POOR CPS DURABILITY WAS A LONGSTANDING CONCERN.FORD REPORTED THAT THE NEW CPS DESIGN SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THEIR 10 YEAR, 150K MILE LIFE EXPECTANCY DESIGN REQUIREMENT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT PRODUCES IS VITAL TO THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM.CPS SIGNAL LOSS TERMINATES FUEL INJECTION RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.ONCE STALLED, THE ENGINE MAY RESTART RIGHT AWAY, OR MAY RESTART AFTER A DELAY (TYPICALLY 5 TO 10 MINUTES), OR MAY NOT RESTART AT ALL.IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS TO CRASH RISK DUE TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT, ENGINE STALLING ALSO EFFECTS THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING. THROUGH CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, ODI DETERMINED THAT CPS FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY FORM OF WARNING, AT ANY VEHICLE SPEED (50% AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING.CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE VEHICLES FAILED TO RESTART, WITH ANOTHER THIRD REPORTING DELAYED RESTARTING.HALF THE VEHICLES THAT DID RESTART EXPERIENCED ANOTHER STALL ON THE SAME OR A SUBSEQUENT DRIVE CYCLE (BEFORE CPS REPLACEMENT) RE-EXPOSING THOSE CONSUMERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A STALLING EVENT.IN THEIR VOQ REPORTS, HALF OF THE ODI COMPLAINANTS DESCRIBED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE TOWING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE ONE ALLEGED INJURY INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN A SUBJECT VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC.ALTHOUGH UNSUBSTANTIATED, THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED AN INJURY TO A CHILD OCCUPANT DURING ODI'S INTERVIEW.THE OTHER CRASH ALLEGATIONS MOSTLY INVOLVED LOW SPEED, LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF POWER ASSIST; NO INJURIES ARE REPORTED IN THESE INCIDENTS, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, IF ANY, WAS MINIMAL.CONSUMERS ALSO REPORTED OTHER INCIDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISKS, SUCH AS DISABLEMENT IN A LANE OR ON A SHOULDER OF A HIGH-SPEED ROADWAY OR INTERSTATE, OR EXTENDED DISABLEMENT IN REMOTE AREAS DURING SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE POPULATION ABOVE IS FORD'S ESTIMATE OF THE 1.4 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED THAT ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED.THE FORD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS NOTED ABOVE ARE CURRENT AS OF FORD'S LAST SUBMISSION DATED JUNE 21, 2007; THEY DO NOT INCLUDE F-450, F-550, OR ECONOLINE COUNTS AS THESE PRODUCTS WERE NOT FORMALLY WITHIN SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION WHEN FAILURE INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED.WARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT ABOUT HALF THE CLAIMS INVOLVED A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT ( FORD'S ASSESSMENT) AND THAT POOR CPS DURABILITY WAS A LONGSTANDING CONCERN.FORD REPORTED THAT THE NEW CPS DESIGN SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THEIR 10 YEAR, 150K MILE LIFE EXPECTANCY DESIGN REQUIREMENT.
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT PRODUCES IS VITAL TO THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM.CPS SIGNAL LOSS TERMINATES FUEL INJECTION RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.ONCE STALLED, THE ENGINE MAY RESTART RIGHT AWAY, OR MAY RESTART AFTER A DELAY (TYPICALLY 5 TO 10 MINUTES), OR MAY NOT RESTART AT ALL.IN ADDITION TO EXPOSING THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS TO CRASH RISK DUE TO LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT, ENGINE STALLING ALSO EFFECTS THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING. THROUGH CONSUMER INTERVIEWS, ODI DETERMINED THAT CPS FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY FORM OF WARNING, AT ANY VEHICLE SPEED (50% AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION, SUCH AS ACCELERATING.CONSUMERS REPORTED THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE VEHICLES FAILED TO RESTART, WITH ANOTHER THIRD REPORTING DELAYED RESTARTING.HALF THE VEHICLES THAT DID RESTART EXPERIENCED ANOTHER STALL ON THE SAME OR A SUBSEQUENT DRIVE CYCLE (BEFORE CPS REPLACEMENT) RE-EXPOSING THOSE CONSUMERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A STALLING EVENT.IN THEIR VOQ REPORTS, HALF OF THE ODI COMPLAINANTS DESCRIBED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE TOWING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE ONE ALLEGED INJURY INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN A SUBJECT VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING LANES OF TRAFFIC.ALTHOUGH UNSUBSTANTIATED, THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED AN INJURY TO A CHILD OCCUPANT DURING ODI'S INTERVIEW.THE OTHER CRASH ALLEGATIONS MOSTLY INVOLVED LOW SPEED, LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS OFTEN CAUSED BY LACK OF POWER ASSIST; NO INJURIES ARE REPORTED IN THESE INCIDENTS, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, IF ANY, WAS MINIMAL.CONSUMERS ALSO REPORTED OTHER INCIDENTS WITH SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISKS, SUCH AS DISABLEMENT IN A LANE OR ON A SHOULDER OF A HIGH-SPEED ROADWAY OR INTERSTATE, OR EXTENDED DISABLEMENT IN REMOTE AREAS DURING SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE POPULATION ABOVE IS FORD'S ESTIMATE OF THE 1.4 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED THAT ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED.THE FORD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS NOTED ABOVE ARE CURRENT AS OF FORD'S LAST SUBMISSION DATED JUNE 21, 2007; THEY DO NOT INCLUDE F-450, F-550, OR ECONOLINE COUNTS AS THESE PRODUCTS WERE NOT FORMALLY WITHIN SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION WHEN FAILURE INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED.WARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT ABOUT HALF THE CLAIMS INVOLVED A STALL WHILE DRIVING EVENT ( FORD'S ASSESSMENT) AND THAT POOR CPS DURABILITY WAS A LONGSTANDING CONCERN.FORD REPORTED THAT THE NEW CPS DESIGN SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THEIR 10 YEAR, 150K MILE LIFE EXPECTANCY DESIGN REQUIREMENT.
PE06011 · Engine Stalling
Opened Feb 27, 2006 · Closed Jun 23, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel
THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) PROVIDES A CRITICAL SIGNAL TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE (SV) ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THE LOSS OF WHICH RESULTS IN AN ENGINE STALL.DURING PE06-011, FORD STATED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI THAT IT IS CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CPS RELATED ENGINE STALL AND FURTHER ADVISED THAT AN UPDATE WILL BE PROVIDED UPON COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION.FORD DATA SHOWS THAT 20% OF THE 716,000 SVS ARE EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF BACK-DRIVING THE ENGINE WHEN A STALL OCCURS; POWER ASSISTED STEERING AND BRAKING ARE NOT LOST DURING ENGINE BACK-DRIVE.FORD DATA ALSO INDICATES THAT BACK-DRIVE OCCURS IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES ABOVE CERTAIN ROAD SPEEDS.THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS NOTED REFERENCE 755 UNIQUE VEHICLES; 2 ARE DUPLICATIVE OF ODI REPORTS.IN ITS REVIEW OF CUSTOMER AND FIELD REPORTS, FORD IDENTIFIED SOME 800 REPORTS ALLEGING ONE OR MORE ENGINE STALLS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO A CPS FAILURE IN THESE 755 VEHICLES (FORD?S ?A? CATEGORY REPORTS).ODI HAS NOT COMPLETED ITS REVIEW OF THESE OR OTHER FORD REPORTS, NOR HAS IT CONFIRMED THIS COUNT.ALL BUT ONE OF THE 9 CRASH ALLEGATIONS APPEAR TO BE MINOR IN NATURE ALTHOUGH ODI IS STILL INVESTIGATING THESE CRASH/INJURY ALLEGATIONS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY INVOLVE A CPS FAILURE.BASED ON EARLY ASSESSMENT OF THE APPROXIMATELY 166,000 SUBJECT VEHICLE WARRANTY CLAIMS FORD PAID, THERE APPEARS TO BE VARIABILITY IN CLAIM RATES BETWEEN CERTAIN SV PRODUCTION PERIODS; AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.FORD REVIEWED A SAMPLE OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS AND INDICATED THAT ABOUT HALF MAY INVOLVE A STALL DUE TO CPS FAILURE; ODI HAS YET TO CONFIRM THIS ASSESSMENT.THE INVESTIGATION IS THEREFORE UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA06-012 SO THAT ODI CAN CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND CONSEQUENCES OF CPS RELATED ENGINE STALLING.
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.
SQ00005 · Power Assist For Steering And Braking
Opened Feb 9, 2000 · Closed Jun 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available