NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
64 reports40,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2000 MUSTANG GT BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. THIS ENGINE HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM FORD TO REPLACE MORE FIRST ENGINE AFTER 160,000 MILES. THIS IS THE 2ND ENGINE FORD SENT TO REPLACE MY OLD ENGINE. THE 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG ON INI…
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MY 2000 MUSTANG GT BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. THIS ENGINE HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM FORD TO REPLACE MORE FIRST ENGINE AFTER 160,000 MILES. THIS IS THE 2ND ENGINE FORD SENT TO REPLACE MY OLD ENGINE. THE 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG ON INITIAL STARTUP IN THE REPAIR SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276733
12,000 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
FAILURES IN BRAKES SYSTEM ON MUSTANG GT 99 TO 2004 THE BRAKE BECAME FREEZE AFTER A HEAVY TRANSIT AND THE CAR LOST THE STOPPING ACTION. FORD INFORM ME THAT WE NEED TO CHANGES THE BRAKE OIL BUT WE CHANGED OIL, PADS, LINE, ROTORS, ETC AND THE CAR REMAIN WITH THE PROBLEMS. IN MY CASE I LOST THE BRAKE ACTION AND HAD A SERIOU…
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FAILURES IN BRAKES SYSTEM ON MUSTANG GT 99 TO 2004 THE BRAKE BECAME FREEZE AFTER A HEAVY TRANSIT AND THE CAR LOST THE STOPPING ACTION. FORD INFORM ME THAT WE NEED TO CHANGES THE BRAKE OIL BUT WE CHANGED OIL, PADS, LINE, ROTORS, ETC AND THE CAR REMAIN WITH THE PROBLEMS. IN MY CASE I LOST THE BRAKE ACTION AND HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273981
90,000 miles · Mar 18, 2009
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE …
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THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262263
80,000 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2000 MUSTANG GT, WITH THE 4.6 ENGINE AND WITH 80,000 MILES, EXPERIENCED A BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. JUST THE SOUND OF THIS (A BIG "BANG!" WHEN THE PLUG HITS THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE NOW MISFIRING, RUNNING ON 7 CYLINDERS) IS ENOUGH TO DISTRACT THE BEST DRIVER AND ALONG WITH THE LOST OF …
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MY 2000 MUSTANG GT, WITH THE 4.6 ENGINE AND WITH 80,000 MILES, EXPERIENCED A BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. JUST THE SOUND OF THIS (A BIG "BANG!" WHEN THE PLUG HITS THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE NOW MISFIRING, RUNNING ON 7 CYLINDERS) IS ENOUGH TO DISTRACT THE BEST DRIVER AND ALONG WITH THE LOST OF POWER IS AN ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER BEING ALMOST REAR ENDED, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A PARKING LOT NEARBY THAT MY CAR BARELY COASTED TO. THE PLUG CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND WAS LAYING ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WITH THE COIL STILL ATTACHED. I UNDERSTAND FROM FORD, THERE IS ONLY 3 TO 4 THREADS, IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, THAT HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN. AS ANYONE WITH ANY ENGINEERING OR ENGINE KNOWLEDGE WOULD KNOW, 3 - 4 THREADS ARE NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO SECURE A SPARK PLUG IN A CYLINDER HEAD WITH THE COMPRESSION PRESSURE OF THE PISTON. THIS IS CLEARLY A ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE DISASTROUS EFFECTS IF MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO MOVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME LUCK PLAYED INTO IT (WITH A PARKING LOT NEARBY), BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME? AM I SUPPOSE TO STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE MY CHANCES? A PLUG BLOWS OUT AND THERE ISN'T ANYWHERE TO PARK AND/OR THE PLUG ALSO TAKES OUT THE FUEL RAIL RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FIRE. AS I STATED ABOVE: AN ACCIDENT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD V8 ENGINES MADE FROM 1997-98 TO 2003. I'M REALLY CONFUSED AS TO WHY THERE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN A RECALL INVOLVING THESE ENGINES. IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, I'M HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT MISTAKE. WHY SHOULDN'T FORD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAILURES THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH? THE NHTSA SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A RECALL INVOLVING THESE FORD ENGINES. ANY NHTSA ACTION SHORT OF A RECALL IS JUST PLAIN IRRESPONSIBLE. THE NHTSA IS A GOVERNMENT AGENCY CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE PUBLIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FORD ENGINE DEFECT. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC DESERVES NOTHING LESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239891
50,000 miles · Jul 26, 2008
Structure
I HAVE A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. THE PAINT ALL OVER THE CAR IS CRACKING LIKE AN EGGSHELL. I CALLED FORD AND OF COURSE THEY SAID THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND THEY WONDER WHY ALL THEIR SALES ARE DROPPING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235850
125,000 miles · May 3, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT ON MY 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10226572
73,000 miles · Mar 10, 2008
Air BagsCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A PINE TREE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A PINE TREE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000. UPDATED 3/25/08 *CN UPDATED 03/25/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220673
83,000 miles · Aug 13, 2007
Parking Brake
WHEN PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED WHILE IN NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL CLICK DOWN A FEW NOTCHES AND START ROLLING CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE OR EVEN DEATH OF AN INDIVIDUAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10199403
146,440 miles · Aug 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING COOLANT. PART WAS REPLACED BY SANDERSON FORD IN GLENDALE AZ ON AUGUST 3, 2007 AT A COST OF $1406.01. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IN REGARDS TO THESE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLDS BUT I AM OUTSIDE OF THE PERIOD OF WHICH IT WAS IN FORCE, BUT I FEE…
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PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 2000 FORD MUSTANG GT CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING COOLANT. PART WAS REPLACED BY SANDERSON FORD IN GLENDALE AZ ON AUGUST 3, 2007 AT A COST OF $1406.01. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD IN REGARDS TO THESE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLDS BUT I AM OUTSIDE OF THE PERIOD OF WHICH IT WAS IN FORCE, BUT I FEEL THAT PERIOD WAS TOO SHORT AS MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON NOVEMBER 18, 1999 AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199299
105,000 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY PARTS THAT WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ALL INVOLVED...THEREFORE, THEY HID FROM TELLING SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE CARS WITH THIS FAULTY PART...PER FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE NOTICES ONLY WENT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNERS...NOT TRUE MY OTHER FORD HAD A RECALL AND I REC'D THAT …
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FAULTY PARTS THAT WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT THAT FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ALL INVOLVED...THEREFORE, THEY HID FROM TELLING SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE CARS WITH THIS FAULTY PART...PER FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE NOTICES ONLY WENT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNERS...NOT TRUE MY OTHER FORD HAD A RECALL AND I REC'D THAT INFO AND I WASN'T THE FIRST OWNER...THEY ARE HIDING FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES...*JB
NHTSA ODI #10196892
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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