NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
64 reports1,000 miles · Oct 5, 2012
Engine
THE IAC ON MY NEW MUSTANG WENT BAD. AT FIRST FORD WOULDN'T COVER IT BUT THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 90 DAYS OLD. THE ONE THEY INSTALLED WENT BAD AFTER 10 DAYS ALSO AND SO DID THE FOLLOWING ONE AFTER 90 DAYS. THE LAST ONE WENT BAD JUST BEFORE THE WARRANTY WENT UP AND NOW I KEEP A SPARE AND CHANGE IT ABOUT ONE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. *…
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THE IAC ON MY NEW MUSTANG WENT BAD. AT FIRST FORD WOULDN'T COVER IT BUT THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 90 DAYS OLD. THE ONE THEY INSTALLED WENT BAD AFTER 10 DAYS ALSO AND SO DID THE FOLLOWING ONE AFTER 90 DAYS. THE LAST ONE WENT BAD JUST BEFORE THE WARRANTY WENT UP AND NOW I KEEP A SPARE AND CHANGE IT ABOUT ONE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478719
100,500 miles · Feb 8, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE PLASTIC TRANSITION PIECE BETWEEN THE THERMOSTAT AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO FILL FOUR OF THE SPARK PLUG WELLS AND CAUSING THE CAR TO MISS VERY BADLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE INTAKES AND A RECALL IS IN PLACE FOR SOME OF THEM. MINE IS THE SAME PART NUMBER AS THE REC…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE PLASTIC TRANSITION PIECE BETWEEN THE THERMOSTAT AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO FILL FOUR OF THE SPARK PLUG WELLS AND CAUSING THE CAR TO MISS VERY BADLY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE INTAKES AND A RECALL IS IN PLACE FOR SOME OF THEM. MINE IS THE SAME PART NUMBER AS THE RECALLED ONES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED ONES BUT NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447142
100,000 miles · Nov 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND STEAM WAS ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC RISER ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE MANIFOLD AND THE HEATER HOSE WERE FRACTURED AND WATER WAS L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND STEAM WAS ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC RISER ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE MANIFOLD AND THE HEATER HOSE WERE FRACTURED AND WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEATER HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO ATTACH THE HOSE BACK ONTO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE AND WATER WHERE THE MANIFOLD WAS ATTACHED TO THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10435959
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SPARK PLUG IS POPPING OUT OF THE SOCKET , THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE REPLACE ONCE ALREADY WITH IN THE YEAR. ALSO THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF ON THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER FORD CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM , WHY IS IT THAT NO ONE CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM. SOMEONE HAS TO KNOW ABO…
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THE SPARK PLUG IS POPPING OUT OF THE SOCKET , THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE REPLACE ONCE ALREADY WITH IN THE YEAR. ALSO THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF ON THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER FORD CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM , WHY IS IT THAT NO ONE CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM. SOMEONE HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425291
87,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
SON DROVE HIS 2000 FORD MUSTANG IN MORNING (NO PROBLEMS) WENT OUT THAT NIGHT TO GO OUT AND THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE A LAWN MOWER. HE SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. HAD VEH TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT IT HAS A BLOWN SPARK PLUG AND THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND FILL 6 OF THE 8 CYLINDERS WITH FUEL. ENG…
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SON DROVE HIS 2000 FORD MUSTANG IN MORNING (NO PROBLEMS) WENT OUT THAT NIGHT TO GO OUT AND THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE A LAWN MOWER. HE SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. HAD VEH TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT IT HAS A BLOWN SPARK PLUG AND THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAD A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND FILL 6 OF THE 8 CYLINDERS WITH FUEL. ENGINE WITH 87000 MILES ON IT IS COMPLETELY SHOT. NEEDS A NEW MOTOR. VEH STILL AT DEALERSHIP TORN DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358429
82,000 miles · Sep 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TUBE NET IS RUSTING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE GAS TANK WHENEVER IT IS FILLED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT THE TANKS ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE HIGH NUM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TUBE NET IS RUSTING OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE GAS TANK WHENEVER IT IS FILLED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT THE TANKS ARE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE HIGH NUMBER OF FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83000.
NHTSA ODI #10354702
127,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WHEN STARTED SMELLING ANTIFREEZE. THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL GAUGES WERE FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I DROVE FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE I BEGAN TO NOTICE ENGINE TROUBLE. BY THIS POINT ALL THE WATER HAD BEEN PUMPED OUT OF THE MOTOR. ALL ENGINE GAUGES CONTINUED…
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DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WHEN STARTED SMELLING ANTIFREEZE. THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL GAUGES WERE FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I DROVE FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE I BEGAN TO NOTICE ENGINE TROUBLE. BY THIS POINT ALL THE WATER HAD BEEN PUMPED OUT OF THE MOTOR. ALL ENGINE GAUGES CONTINUED TO READ FINE. AFTER PULLING OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATER HOSE OUTLET ON TOP OF FORDS PLASTIC INTAKE HAD BROKE OFF. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INTAKE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE AS WHEN I STOPPED I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED, ALSO WHEN I FINALLY NOTICED IT WAS MY CAR SMOKE WAS FILLING THE INTERIOR THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. I STILL DON'T KNOW IF THE MOTOR IS ALRIGHT AS IT SEVERELY OVERHEATED. BARE MINIMUM IS OVER 800 TO FIX IF THERE IS NO MOTOR DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352987
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
I HAVE A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE ALTERNATOR, FORD HAS HAVE SEVERAL SUITS FILED AGAINST THEM FOR THIS REASON. I CALLED FORD LOCALLY AND THEY ONLY SHOW A RECALL FOR THE MANIFOLD WHICH I HAVE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. BEFORE I REPLACED IT FORD SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD, I AM HEARING THE …
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I HAVE A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE ALTERNATOR, FORD HAS HAVE SEVERAL SUITS FILED AGAINST THEM FOR THIS REASON. I CALLED FORD LOCALLY AND THEY ONLY SHOW A RECALL FOR THE MANIFOLD WHICH I HAVE REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. BEFORE I REPLACED IT FORD SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD, I AM HEARING THE SAME STORY AGAIN AS I DID BEFORE AND I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ALT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346823
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10329249
96,600 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MY 2000 GT MUSTANG 4.6L ENGINE. FORD CHARGED ABOUT $350 FOR PARTS/REPAIR AND SAID IT WAS RARE BUT I HAVE BEEN READING WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293018
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · 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.
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