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1998 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 31 of 236 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports12 fire reports22 injury reports

Steering complaints

22 reports
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150,000 miles · May 22, 2009
Steering

THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN STEERING STABILITY. EVERYTHING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE RACK AND PINION SHOW NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. I'VE HAD THE PS LINES REPLACED AS WELL AS THE PS PUMP, BECAUSE IF THE LACK OF STABILITY AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. PS FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED AND BLED. AND THE PUMP IS STILL VERY…

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THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN STEERING STABILITY. EVERYTHING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE RACK AND PINION SHOW NO SIGNS OF LEAKING. I'VE HAD THE PS LINES REPLACED AS WELL AS THE PS PUMP, BECAUSE IF THE LACK OF STABILITY AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. PS FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED AND BLED. AND THE PUMP IS STILL VERY LOUD (IT WAS ALWAYS LOUD, THE NEW PUMP IS THE SAME WAY. BUT THAT'S MORE ANNOYING THAN A SAFELY CONCERN). I'LL BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. CAR HAS NEW TIRES AND HAS BEEN ALIGNED RECENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269724

54,000 miles · Oct 1, 2004
SteeringCrash

<PAGE 3> I'VE ALSO SEEKED LEGAL ADVICE, AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT I WAS FRAUDED, AND THAT I DO HAVE A CASE, HOWEVER THEY COULDN'T FURTHER ASSIST ME DUE TO THE FACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OFF MY LOAN ON THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN MY POSSESSION. NOW THAT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID, MY QUESTION TO YOU …

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<PAGE 3> I'VE ALSO SEEKED LEGAL ADVICE, AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT I WAS FRAUDED, AND THAT I DO HAVE A CASE, HOWEVER THEY COULDN'T FURTHER ASSIST ME DUE TO THE FACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OFF MY LOAN ON THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN MY POSSESSION. NOW THAT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN FURTHER DO AS A CONSUMER??? PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE, IVA D. OKLOBDZIJA . MOST OFOUR COMMENTS ARE MISSING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093442

54,000 miles · Oct 1, 2004
SteeringCrash

<PAGE 2 > MY LIFE, AS WELL AS ANOTHER HUMAN BEINGS LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AT STAKE DUE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO MAKE SOME MONEY. THANK GOD THE PARTY INVOLVED AND MYSELF CAME OUT OF THIS ORDEAL WITH JUST MINOR BRUISING. I AM A TWENTY-ONE YEAR OLD WELL-EDUCATED WOMAN WITH A RESPONSIBLE JOB PROFILE, AND A CLEAN RECORD. I HAVE NEVER V…

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<PAGE 2 > MY LIFE, AS WELL AS ANOTHER HUMAN BEINGS LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN AT STAKE DUE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO MAKE SOME MONEY. THANK GOD THE PARTY INVOLVED AND MYSELF CAME OUT OF THIS ORDEAL WITH JUST MINOR BRUISING. I AM A TWENTY-ONE YEAR OLD WELL-EDUCATED WOMAN WITH A RESPONSIBLE JOB PROFILE, AND A CLEAN RECORD. I HAVE NEVER VIOLATED THE LAW, THEREFORE ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED IS HARD TO TAKE. FROM THE START, I REQUESTED MY INSURANCE TO TAKE THE CLAIM MORE SERIOUSLY, AND FOR AN INTENSE INVESTIGATION TO TAKE PLACE ON THE VEHICLE, SINCE THIS WAS A BIZARRE ACCIDENT WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE, AND EVEN WITH THE CHP FORMING AN OPINION ON ASSUMPTIONS, I WAS NOT AT FAULT FOR THIS ACCIDENT, AND WAS NOT CHARGED WITH CARELESS DRIVING, OR ANY OTHER TRAFFIC INFRACTION. SINCE WHAT I REQUESTED DID NOT OCCUR, I AM DISSATISFIED WITH THE WAY THIS WAS CONDUCTED. BASICALLY FOR THE MONTH AND A HALF THAT MY INSURANCE HAD THE VEHICLE STORED, THEY NEVER CONDUCTED ANY TYPE OF INVESTIGATION NOR WAS MY VEHICLE INSPECTED. I EVEN WENT TO THE DEGREE OF HAVING MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE AT MY OWN EXPENSE, SO I MAY HIRE A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THAT NEVER TOOK PLACE DUE TO BAD TIMING. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ON MY PROPERTY FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR SO, AND BEFORE I COULD GET A HOLD OF SOMEONE TO DO THE INSPECTION AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE APART, I HAD TO GET READY FOR SURGERY, SO THE INSPECTION WAS PUT ON HOLD DUE TO HEALTH REASONS. THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTED ME TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE THEN TO CALL MY INSURANCE AND HAVE THEM TAKE THE "TOTAL LOSS" VEHICLE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THE REPAIRS AND RESTORATIONS WERE DONE BY MY INSURANCE, AND THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093441

54,000 miles · Oct 1, 2004
SteeringCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY BIZARRE ACCIDENT. ON AUGUST 10, 2004 AT 8:30 AM, I WAS GOING TO WORK USING THE HIGHWAY I REGULARLY USE EVERYDAY, HIGHWAY ONE IN PACIFICA, CALIFORNIA, LOCATED FOUR BLOCKS FROM MY HOME. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. AS I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE, GOING NO MORE THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR, AN…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY BIZARRE ACCIDENT. ON AUGUST 10, 2004 AT 8:30 AM, I WAS GOING TO WORK USING THE HIGHWAY I REGULARLY USE EVERYDAY, HIGHWAY ONE IN PACIFICA, CALIFORNIA, LOCATED FOUR BLOCKS FROM MY HOME. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. AS I WAS GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY ENTRANCE, GOING NO MORE THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR, AND AS I MADE MY WAY DOWN THE RAMP A FEW INCHES, MY CAR STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH. PULLING ME RIGHT, AND THEN TO THE LEFT. I WAS NOT DISTRACTED, PREOCCUPIED, NOR ON A CELL PHONE. I WAS LOOKING AT THE ROAD STRAIGHT AHEAD. I TRIED TO STEAR THE CAR, BUT IT KEPT SHIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, CAUSING ME TO FALL OFF THE RAMP AND LAND ONTO THE TRAFFIC GOING THE SAME DIRECTION I WAS HEADED (NORTH). ONE CAR ENDED UP HITTING ME. THE POLICE WAS ALREADY ON THE HIGHWAY SO THEY IMMEDIATELY CAME TO THE SCENE. SINCE THIS WAS SUCH A FRIGHTENING ACCIDENT, AND NO KNOWN CAUSE FOR IT, SINCE I WAS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND GOING AT SUCH A LOW SPEED, I HAVE REQUESTED THE ACCIDENT SCENE AND THE CAR TO BE INSPECTED. THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING WRONG MECHANICALLY. I BELIEVE THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN THE RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY, TIE ROD, OR POWER STEERING VALVES. THROUGHOUT THE COURSE WORK, I FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS IN PERVIOUS ACCIDENTS. THIS INFORMATION WAS NEVER DISCLOSED TO ME AT THE DATE OF THE PURCHASE, AND I REQUESTED IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. ALL MY REQUESTS FOR THE VEHICLES HISTORY AND OWNER HISTORY WERE PLACED TO THE SIDE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH I ADORED THE VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE NOT PURCHASED IT KNOWING THIS INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE WAS "CERTIFIED" AND I OPTED FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. I ANGERS ME TO FIND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND REBUILT SEVERAL TIMES, AND PLACED BACK ONTO THE ROAD. HERE I WAS THINKING I WAS PURCHASING A VEHICLE THAT WAS "CERTIFIED" AND IN MINT CONDITION. THIS MATTER IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.CONTINUATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093440

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

THE STALLING PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR STALLS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (IN NEUTRAL GEAR). THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALSO LOSE POWER, CAUSING ME TO DO WHATEVER NOT TO CRASH. I KNOW OF OTHER MUSTANGS NOTICING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, BUT FAILE…

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THE STALLING PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR STALLS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (IN NEUTRAL GEAR). THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ALSO LOSE POWER, CAUSING ME TO DO WHATEVER NOT TO CRASH. I KNOW OF OTHER MUSTANGS NOTICING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #745758

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2001
Steering

THE CAR IS IS A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS OLD AND I FEEL THAT A CAR SHOULD NOT BE PROHIBATED FROM STARTING IF THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM FAILES AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIER DEFECTS WHEN A PART PREMATURELY FAILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #742506

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2001
Steering

STEERING RACK BUSHINGS HAVE BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING ERRATIC HANDLING ON HIGHWAY AND "JUMPING" EFFECT WHEN MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOT WITH STEERING TURNED ALL THE WAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #739262

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2000
Steering

APPEARS TO HAVE FRACTURED AT WELD - FORD DEALER WILL BEGIN REPAIRS 4/24. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721828

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKING, AND SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC). NEED INFORMATION ON MAKING FORD PAY FOR THE LEMON! *AK

NHTSA ODI #716001

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1999
Steering

SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE DOES NOT CONNECT TO THE STARTER, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #846837

Official recalls

4

00V349000 · Parking Brake:conventional

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.

99V062001 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 30, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

97V216000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.6L ENGINES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAS MISSING OR INADEQUATE BRAZE JOINTS BETWEEN THE FUEL RAIL BODY AND THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTING BRACKET(S).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRACKET SEPARATES FROM THE RAIL, THE RAIL CAN LIFT ONE OR MORE OF THE INJECTORS, AND FUEL LEAKAGE WILL RESULT. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ON THESE VEHICLES.

97V165000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

Sep 30, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI-VANS. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE DAMAGED INPUT SHAFT BEARINGS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN INCREASE STEERING EFFORTS, AFFECTING STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THOSE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. THE DATE CODES FOR WINDSTAR MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97JB09 OR 97JC08; THE DATE CODES FOR MUSTANG MODEL VEHICLES ARE 97J09B OR 97J08B.

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

2

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.

PE99029 · Fires In The Center Console

Opened May 3, 1999 · Closed Jul 27, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available