← New search

2001 Ford Mustang Convertible

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Mustang Convertible years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

17 reports
124,000 miles · Oct 16, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

THE FILL TUBE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE NOZZLE INPUT HAS RUSTED THRU THE ENTIRE LENGTH, WORST UNDER THE PLASTIC/RUBBER WRAP AT THE TANK INLET, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ONTO THE GROUND WHEN FILLING THE TANK. DEALER ESTIMATES REPAIR COST AT $340. ON LINE INQUIRIES REVEALED "MANY-MANY" OTHER COMPLAINTS. NO FORD RECALLS OR SERVI…

Read full complaint

THE FILL TUBE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE NOZZLE INPUT HAS RUSTED THRU THE ENTIRE LENGTH, WORST UNDER THE PLASTIC/RUBBER WRAP AT THE TANK INLET, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ONTO THE GROUND WHEN FILLING THE TANK. DEALER ESTIMATES REPAIR COST AT $340. ON LINE INQUIRIES REVEALED "MANY-MANY" OTHER COMPLAINTS. NO FORD RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS. IF PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS , THE BATTERY RUNS DOWN. CHECKED FOR HEAD/PARKING/BRAKES LIGHTS LEFT ON AS WELL AS THOSE INSIDE PASSENGER AREA AND IN TRUNK. NONE FOUND. MECHANIC BELIEVES DUE TO RADIO/CD PLAYER AMP DRAW TO SUPPORT CLOCK (ETC) EVEN WHILE OFF???? INSTALLED NEW BATTERY, OK FOR AWHILE, NOW DOING IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430382

85,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANGS AND MY FRONT 2 HEADLIGHTS ARE SO (FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM) FOGGY AND DISTORTED. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345402

85,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANG. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL AREA THAT THE CLEARCOAT WAS PEELING. NOW IT IS COMING OFF IN SHEETS AND MY PAINT HAS FADED THAT IS LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOR. I'VE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON OTHER MESSAGE BOARDS FROM OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I EVEN FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THA…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2001 FORD MUSTANG. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED A SMALL AREA THAT THE CLEARCOAT WAS PEELING. NOW IT IS COMING OFF IN SHEETS AND MY PAINT HAS FADED THAT IS LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COLOR. I'VE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON OTHER MESSAGE BOARDS FROM OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I EVEN FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT FORD ISSUED INSTRUCTING PAINT VENDORS HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WOULD THINK THAT IF THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE THAT FORD HAD TO ISSUE A BULLETIN OF THIS SORT, THAT THERE WOULD BE RECALL AND FORD WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. NOW, I HAVE TO PAY FOR A PAINT JOB THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345401

127,000 miles · Jan 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FORD FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY HAS A DEFECT. THE PLASTIC SLEEVE THAT IS "TIE WRAPPED" TO THE TUBE CAUSES THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE TO COLLECTED MOISTURE AND CORRODE. THIS GOES UNDETECTED UNTIL LARGE QUANTITIES OF GASOLINE ARE DUMPED ONTO THE ROADWAY AFTER FILL UP. THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AND IN 30 MINUTES OF RE…

Read full complaint

FORD FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY HAS A DEFECT. THE PLASTIC SLEEVE THAT IS "TIE WRAPPED" TO THE TUBE CAUSES THE OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE TO COLLECTED MOISTURE AND CORRODE. THIS GOES UNDETECTED UNTIL LARGE QUANTITIES OF GASOLINE ARE DUMPED ONTO THE ROADWAY AFTER FILL UP. THIS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AND IN 30 MINUTES OF RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE, I WAS ABLE TO FIND MANY OTHER OCCURRENCES WITH OTHER FORD MODELS. THIS IS AN EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER AND A HUGE FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE PINTO? A SIMPLE FENDER BENDER WITH ONE OF THESE CORRODED TUBES COULD BE DEVASTATING. I WILL BE FILING A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND THE EPA. IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA: 10276760, 10265682, 10253564, 10249748, 10276760, 729302 YOUR SEARCH ENGINE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEARCH MULTIPLE FORD MODELS AND YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM - THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS WERE COMPILED IN JUST A FEW MINUTES AND INDICATE TO ME THAT THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEM - NOT TO MENTION THE $400 + EACH OF THESE OWNERS NEED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, THE COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE UNTOLD GALLONS OF GASOLINE SLOSHING ONTO THE PAVEMENT AND ENGINE DAMAGE FROM CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM. FROM THE DATES OF THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS - A RECALL COULD ALLOW FOR A SIMPLE PREVENTIVE MEASURE OF REMOVING THE OEM PLASTIC SLEEVE THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. MY MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME THAT THE SLEEVE PROVIDES NO USEFUL PURPOSE. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE PICTURES THAT CAN BE PROVIDED BY REQUEST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299096

300 miles · Oct 10, 2009
Tires

I PURCHASED 2 BRAND-NEW BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES - 225/55/R16 95H TIRES ON OR ABOUT 09/0109. 3 DAYS LATER, WITH APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES ON THESE TIRES, I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF THEM DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SAME TIRE AND 2ND TIRE WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. ON 10/08/09 I EXP…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED 2 BRAND-NEW BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES - 225/55/R16 95H TIRES ON OR ABOUT 09/0109. 3 DAYS LATER, WITH APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES ON THESE TIRES, I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF THEM DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SAME TIRE AND 2ND TIRE WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE. ON 10/08/09 I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF THE 2ND OF THE 2 ORIGINAL TIRES, AGAIN DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. I DO NOT HAVE THE DOT NUMBER FROM THE 1ST TIRE, BUT THE DOT NUMBER/ID FROM THE 2ND TIRE IS: BE6RMC11. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286980

62,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUELING CAR GAS LEAKING ONTO GROUND REACHED UNDER CAR RIGHT SIDE FILLER TUBE GOING INTO TANK ALL RUSTED FUEL COMING OUT TUBE ONTO GROUND 2001 MUSTANG 3.8OHV PART# 9034 FILLER NECK TUBE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276760

94,000 miles · May 27, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OXIDATION BUILD-UP ON THE HEADLIGHT COVERS IS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THE CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON OR OFF. THE CONTACT FEEL…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OXIDATION BUILD-UP ON THE HEADLIGHT COVERS IS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT GO UP OR DOWN BECAUSE THE CONTROL MODULE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ON OR OFF. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE TOP CAN GO UP OR DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF UPDATED 06/04/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10270056

50,200 miles · Nov 28, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT THE RADIO REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT THE RADIO REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,200. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10210241

80,060 miles · Jan 4, 2007
Electrical System

WITH ONLY 80K MILES ON MY CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCHED LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT START MY CAR. THE DEALER STATES THAT HE HAS TO DRILL OUT AND REPLACE THE LOCKSET. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS TO REPLACE IT WITH AN ELECTRONIC KEY SINCE IT IS TIED IN TO ALL THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS IE THE SECURITY AND CONTROL MODULE. HE STATES THAT THE TU…

Read full complaint

WITH ONLY 80K MILES ON MY CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCHED LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT START MY CAR. THE DEALER STATES THAT HE HAS TO DRILL OUT AND REPLACE THE LOCKSET. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS TO REPLACE IT WITH AN ELECTRONIC KEY SINCE IT IS TIED IN TO ALL THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS IE THE SECURITY AND CONTROL MODULE. HE STATES THAT THE TUMBLERS ARE WORN AND THE LOCK HAS TO BE REPLACED. HE STATES THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AND THE NEW SETS MAY HAVE AN IMPROVED TUMBLER SET. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177805

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2006
EquipmentVisibility

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTINUES TO JUMP OUT OF PLACE CAUSING WINDOW NOT TO ROLL DOWN. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT CAR, WE PAID OVER 300 TO REPLACE ENTIRE FRAME AND GLASS. ONLY A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING EVERY TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE ARE HAVING TO HAVE THE GLASS PUT BACK INTO TRACTS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THI…

Read full complaint

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CONTINUES TO JUMP OUT OF PLACE CAUSING WINDOW NOT TO ROLL DOWN. WHEN FIRST BOUGHT CAR, WE PAID OVER 300 TO REPLACE ENTIRE FRAME AND GLASS. ONLY A SHORT TIME AFTER THIS IT CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME THING EVERY TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE ARE HAVING TO HAVE THE GLASS PUT BACK INTO TRACTS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10167302

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

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.