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2002 Ford Mustang Gt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Mustang Gt do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 51.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
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96,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Seat BeltsStructureWheelsCrashInjury

I RECENTLY WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE LATE AFTER WORK ON INTERSTATE 10 AT 60 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL , HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THROWN INTO ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS STATED IN POLICE REPORT. BOTH FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE HOW…

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I RECENTLY WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE LATE AFTER WORK ON INTERSTATE 10 AT 60 MPH WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL , HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THROWN INTO ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS STATED IN POLICE REPORT. BOTH FRONT AND REAR OF THE CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE HOWEVER NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING FACIAL TRAUMA SEATBELTS FAILED, AS IT DID NOT HOLD MY 100 LB BODY IN PLACE.CAUSING INJURY. FROM BEING THROWN ALL OVER THE CAR CAUSING LOSS OF CONCIOUSNOUS. BACK DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND HUB WAS TORN OFF FROM IMPACT AND AXLE WAS BROKE. CAR HAD 96 K MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED.AND CARED FOR. HOWEVER THIS CAR HAS FAULTY AIRBAGS, SEATBELTS, AMONG OTHER ISSUES THAT CA RESULT IN A HUMAN LIFE!

NHTSA ODI #11061482

50,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

I HAVE REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS 2 TIME AND THEY NEED IT AGAIN THEY STOP RETRACTING. MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT WORK IT THE SUN SHINES ON THAT SIDE OF CAR. HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE SO FOGGY YOU COULDN'T SEE WHEN LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660696

122,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A DEER ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER WHEN THE SEAT BELTS BROKE FROM THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL BLEEDING, TORN LIGAMENTS TO THE SHOULDER AND ARMS AND BRUISING. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL WHEN TRYING TO AVOID A DEER ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER WHEN THE SEAT BELTS BROKE FROM THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL BLEEDING, TORN LIGAMENTS TO THE SHOULDER AND ARMS AND BRUISING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10327971

40,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Seat Belts

-----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- SENT: 4/20/2009 10:39:26 PM SUBJECT: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAIN TOPIC: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES EMAIL QUESTIONS: DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I AM WRITING TO FORD BECAUSE I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. MY FORD MUSTANG'S SEATBELTS DO NOT AND HAVE NOT …

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-----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- SENT: 4/20/2009 10:39:26 PM SUBJECT: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAIN TOPIC: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES EMAIL QUESTIONS: DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I AM WRITING TO FORD BECAUSE I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG GT. MY FORD MUSTANG'S SEATBELTS DO NOT AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR; THEY WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND HANG UP, I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING MESS WITH THEM SO THEY CAN BE USED. I HAVE OWNED FOUR OTHER MUSTANGS (FOX AND SN95 CARS) AND THREE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2001 MUSTANG COBRA WHICH ALSO HAS DEFECTIVE SEATBELTS. I PURCHASED MY CAR SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND IT ONLY HAD 36,000 MILES ON IT, THE CAR HAD BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND BABIED AS I HAVE DONE ALSO. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE FAULTY SEATBELTS IN MY MUSTANG AND MY FRIEND'S COBRA COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO AN OCCUPANT IF INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THIS PROBLEM IS OFTEN MENTIONED ON FORD MUSTANG FORUMS AND I HAVE QUESTIONED MY DEALER WHERE MY CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICE (MATHEWS FORD, IN NEWARK, OHIO). THIS PAST WINTER WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I HAD A DEER RUN OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I PUSHED THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED MY GIRLFRIEND TO ALMOST HIT THE DASH BECAUSE HER SEATBELT DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. I AM ASKING THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPLACE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY FORD MUSTANG, BOTH SEATBELTS ARE FAULTY WITH THE PASSENGER BELT BEING THE WORSE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD FAULTY BELTS LIKE FORD MUSTANGS SEEM TO HAVE. I BELIEVE A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURE LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REMEDY THE SITUATION AND NOT ALLOW MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS TO RISK BODILY INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION ON MY SEATBELTS. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304042

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2009
Fuel System, GasolineSeat Belts

PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP WHEN BUCKLED OR RETRACT. SECOND PROBLEM. GASOLINE TANK HAS A BROKEN GASKET/SEAL THAT GOES FROM THE FILLER NECK TO THE GAS TANK. GAS TANK IS LEAKING GAS WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274008

61,298 miles · Jun 14, 2009
Seat Belts

SEATBELT RETRACTORS DO NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE SAFETY BELTS. BELTS CONSTANTLY BECOME TWISTED AND WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY; OR THEY GET JAMMED AND WILL NOT RELEASE SO IT CAN BE BUCKLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273756

50,000 miles · Aug 27, 2006
Seat Belts

THE SEAT BELTS ON MY 2002 MUSTANG GT BROKE, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS I'VE ASKED OTHERS ABOUT THEIRS. THE RATCHET MECHANISM STOPS WORKING AND / OR THE SEAT BELTS BECOME ENTANGLED SEVERELY IN THE MECHANISM AND FAIL TO WORK ANYMORE, RESULTING IN REPLACING THE RATCHETING MECHANISM AND SEAT BELT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A FORD…

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THE SEAT BELTS ON MY 2002 MUSTANG GT BROKE, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AS I'VE ASKED OTHERS ABOUT THEIRS. THE RATCHET MECHANISM STOPS WORKING AND / OR THE SEAT BELTS BECOME ENTANGLED SEVERELY IN THE MECHANISM AND FAIL TO WORK ANYMORE, RESULTING IN REPLACING THE RATCHETING MECHANISM AND SEAT BELT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER TO SEE IF THEY OFFERED A FIX AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT AND THAT MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY WHEN SO MANY MUSTANG OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166650

40,000 miles · Jul 21, 2006
Seat Belts

FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME RESULTING IN LOOSE FIT. SEATBELT EVENTUALLY RETRACTS AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. DEALER OFFERED TO INSTALL SOME SORT OF KIT FOR A HEFTY PRICE. IT SEEMS THIS MAY BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON FORD VEHICLES. THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING THE LIFE …

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FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME RESULTING IN LOOSE FIT. SEATBELT EVENTUALLY RETRACTS AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. DEALER OFFERED TO INSTALL SOME SORT OF KIT FOR A HEFTY PRICE. IT SEEMS THIS MAY BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON FORD VEHICLES. THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE SHOULD NOT FAIL DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10163039

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.