NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
311 reports35,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Seat Belts
I HAVE A 2000 FORD MUSTANG, WHICH HAS MAJOR SEATBELT MALFUNCTION PROBLEMS. I FOUND THE RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE AND SEVERAL AUTO WEBSITES NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000. THIS RECALL IS FOR 2000 FORD MUSTANGS, AND THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH OUR SEATBELTS. BUT THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO REPLACE THE SEATB…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2000 FORD MUSTANG, WHICH HAS MAJOR SEATBELT MALFUNCTION PROBLEMS. I FOUND THE RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE AND SEVERAL AUTO WEBSITES NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000. THIS RECALL IS FOR 2000 FORD MUSTANGS, AND THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH OUR SEATBELTS. BUT THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO REPLACE THE SEATBELTS, AFTER VERIFYING THAT THEY WERE MALFUNCTIONING, AND NOW THEY WILL NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263807
79,000 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Power TrainStructure
HARD TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR OF NEUTRAL FROM A STOPPED POSITION ON THE V6 MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON THE 2000 FORD MUSTANG, ALSO PAINT IS BUBBLING AND CRACKING ON ROOF IN MULTIPLE SPOTS, HAVE SEEN SAME PROBLEM WITH PAINT POSTED FOR ALL MODELS FORD FROM 2000-20005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263000
17,000 miles · Mar 21, 2009
Electrical System
1. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION. 2. THE CAR HAD TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COMPONENTS REPLACED. 3. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262644
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2009
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKING SECURELY ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SOME SCREWS AND BOLTS WERE NEEDED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED. THE DOOR MUST BE SLAMMED VERY HARD TO KEEP IT CLOSED AND THE HANDLES AND OTHER PARTS HAVE FALLEN OFF. UPDA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKING SECURELY ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SOME SCREWS AND BOLTS WERE NEEDED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED. THE DOOR MUST BE SLAMMED VERY HARD TO KEEP IT CLOSED AND THE HANDLES AND OTHER PARTS HAVE FALLEN OFF. UPDATED 04/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10262430
116,000 miles · Feb 12, 2009
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. IT WILL NOT EXTEND MORE THAN THREE INCHES OVER OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAI…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. IT WILL NOT EXTEND MORE THAN THREE INCHES OVER OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/19/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10258435
138,000 miles · Jan 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
EVERY TIME I PUT FUEL IN THE CAR, IT STARTS LEAKING OUT. IT LEAVES QUITE A BIG PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND. WHEN I STOP PUTTING GAS IN, THE LEAK STOPS. I DON'T BELIEVE I AM LOSING ANY AT THE GAS TANK, JUST WHEN FILLING UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253564
132,000 miles · Nov 24, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD CONCERNING A FUEL LEAK ON MY 2000 MUSTANG. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS RUSTED OUT AND HAD A HOLE IN IT DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF A SHIELD ON THE TUBE. THE SHIELD HELD IN DIRT AND WATER WHICH ALLOWED IT TO RUST…
Read full complaint
I HAVE WRITTEN TO FORD CONCERNING A FUEL LEAK ON MY 2000 MUSTANG. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS RUSTED OUT AND HAD A HOLE IN IT DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF A SHIELD ON THE TUBE. THE SHIELD HELD IN DIRT AND WATER WHICH ALLOWED IT TO RUST. IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $431.35 TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW BY FORD. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I CANNOT PUT GAS IN MY CAR WHEN MY CHILDREN ARE IN IT FOR FEAR THAT IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE. THE GAS JUST POURS OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS IMMEDIATELY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD?S MISTAKE. I HAVE A COPY OF THE INVOICE AS WELL AS THE REPAIR QUOTE FROM RAMEY FORD IN JOHNSON CITY,TN. I WILL FAX IT TO YOU IF YOU WISH. FORD HAS SENT ME AN EMAIL STATING THAT NOT ALL COMPLAINTS GET INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THESE CARS COULD POSSIBLY CATCH ON FIRE AND EXPLODE IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED. ALL MUSTANG OWNERS WHOSE CARS HAVE HAD THIS SHIELD PLACED ON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OTHER MUSTANG OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE NHTSA BUT I HAVE SEEN POSTINGS FROM MUSTANG OWNERS ON SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY MORE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249748
110,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE FOUND FLUID ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. HE FOUND METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE RUBBER, WHICH CAUSED THE RUBBER TO WEAR AND LEAK. THE CONTACT WILL REPLACE THE RUBBERS. TH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE FOUND FLUID ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT IS A MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. HE FOUND METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE RUBBER, WHICH CAUSED THE RUBBER TO WEAR AND LEAK. THE CONTACT WILL REPLACE THE RUBBERS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10238753
13,500 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
I 'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OF MY MUSTANG GT 2000. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 13500 DRIVING MILES AND FOR THREE OCCASIONS I HAD BEEN WITH THE BRAKES BECAUSE ITS HAS THE STICKING PROBLEMS (FRONT LEFT SIDE AND REAR RIGHT SIDE). EVENTUALLY THE PADS AND CALIPERS TURNED HOT AND BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR. THE LAST TIME OF THIS E…
Read full complaint
I 'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OF MY MUSTANG GT 2000. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 13500 DRIVING MILES AND FOR THREE OCCASIONS I HAD BEEN WITH THE BRAKES BECAUSE ITS HAS THE STICKING PROBLEMS (FRONT LEFT SIDE AND REAR RIGHT SIDE). EVENTUALLY THE PADS AND CALIPERS TURNED HOT AND BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR. THE LAST TIME OF THIS EVENT THE CAR WAS ON AN ACCIDENTS AND WE WENT DOWN ON A HILL AND MY CAR BROKE DOWN THE FRONT PART. I WAS READING IN INTERNET MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MUSTANG FROM 99-04. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230093
42,000 miles · Apr 23, 2008
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD MUSTANG. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. UPDATED 05/19/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10225475
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.
Illustration