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2001 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mustang years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Mustang are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

63 reports with mileage · 110 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. 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.

37 crash reports2 fire reports28 injury reports

What owners actually said

173 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2006
Tires

TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED FEB 2004 WITH 25/30 K ON THEM DRY-ROTTED TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE BALANCED AND WERE A SAFETY ISSUE. ORIGINAL TIRES WERE GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE GT SIZE P225/5516BW.. THESE TIRES WERE NOT PARKED ON ANYTHING THAT COULD CAUSE A MOISTURE ISSUE AND THEY WERE NEVER CLEANED WITHOUT PROPER CLEANING MATERI…

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TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED FEB 2004 WITH 25/30 K ON THEM DRY-ROTTED TO THE POINT THEY COULD NOT BE BALANCED AND WERE A SAFETY ISSUE. ORIGINAL TIRES WERE GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE GT SIZE P225/5516BW.. THESE TIRES WERE NOT PARKED ON ANYTHING THAT COULD CAUSE A MOISTURE ISSUE AND THEY WERE NEVER CLEANED WITHOUT PROPER CLEANING MATERIALS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161892

61,000 miles · Apr 19, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH WITH PRIOR BRAKING, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT HEAD ON, ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH WITH PRIOR BRAKING, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT HEAD ON, ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS NO INSPECTION TO DETERMINE IF THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #10155686

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

2001 FORD MUSTANG V6,34000 MI. FUEL LEAKING FROM TANK AT FILLER TUBE JOINT. HAVE CAR AT DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. NOW , AND HAVE NOT CORRESPONDED ABOUT CORRECTIVE ACTION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10153108

49,000 miles · Feb 9, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

FILLER TUBE FUEL TANK SEAL FAILURE CAUSING GAS LEAK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149858

23,000 miles · Jan 19, 2006
Seat Belts

I OWN A 2001 FORD MUSTANG AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS. THEY DO NOT RETRACT DUE TO THE CHEAP COMPONENTS USED TO KEEP THEM FROM TWISTING. THIS ALSO CAUSES THEM TO BE LOOSE WHEN WEARING THEM. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY MESSAGE BOARDS ON MUSTANG WEBSITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT MAN…

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I OWN A 2001 FORD MUSTANG AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS. THEY DO NOT RETRACT DUE TO THE CHEAP COMPONENTS USED TO KEEP THEM FROM TWISTING. THIS ALSO CAUSES THEM TO BE LOOSE WHEN WEARING THEM. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY MESSAGE BOARDS ON MUSTANG WEBSITES AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I RECENTLY HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD 2 MUSTANGS IN THAT MONTH FOR THIS REPAIR. MY CAR WAS BEYOND ITS MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $652 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THEREFORE I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED AND WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, FIXING THEM TO THE BEST OF WHAT I CAN DO TO MAKE THEM SOMEWHAT FUNCTIONAL. MY OPINION IS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS BUT WILL NOT DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS THEIR #1 VEHICLE AND RECALL COSTS WOULD BE TO MUCH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10148141

90,000 miles · Nov 16, 2005
Seat Belts

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10142937

33,290 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Air Bags

2001 FORD COBRA AIR BAGS ACTIVATED WITH OUT MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER UPON COLLISION. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 2 MPH WHEN IT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AND REQUESTED THAT FORD AUTHORIZES REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAGS AT NO COST. FORD DENIED T…

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2001 FORD COBRA AIR BAGS ACTIVATED WITH OUT MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER UPON COLLISION. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 2 MPH WHEN IT CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AND REQUESTED THAT FORD AUTHORIZES REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAGS AT NO COST. FORD DENIED THE CONSUMER REQUEST. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145339

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2005
Exterior Lighting

2001 FORD MUSTANG HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SEALS FAILED.*MR NO ADDRESS PROVIDED - NO ANSWER REQUIRED. *MJJ THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WERE FOGGING WITH MOISTURE. THE HEADLIGHT WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE LENSES WERE SLOWLY DEVELOPING A SILVER-GREY FILM. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10128061

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2005
Air Bags

2001 FORD MUSTANG COBRA FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SPEED WAS ONLY 1 TO 2 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUS REAR END DAMAGE AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE PREVIOUS DEALER MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY SET THE SENSORS. THE CONSU…

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2001 FORD MUSTANG COBRA FRONT BUMPER MADE CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SPEED WAS ONLY 1 TO 2 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUS REAR END DAMAGE AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE PREVIOUS DEALER MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY SET THE SENSORS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO THEN TOLD HIM THAT THE COMPUTER RESETS THE SENSORS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS HAD NO RELEVANCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10120374

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

THERE IS A RATTLING, BANGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT ONLY DID IT AT FIRST WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN WITH AND WITHOUT THE BRAKES. IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE CAR IS FALLING APART. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HEARD THE NOISE BUT IT WAS NOTHING MECHANICAL AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS COMING FROM. THEY TOL…

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THERE IS A RATTLING, BANGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT ONLY DID IT AT FIRST WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN WITH AND WITHOUT THE BRAKES. IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE CAR IS FALLING APART. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HEARD THE NOISE BUT IT WAS NOTHING MECHANICAL AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS COMING FROM. THEY TOLD ME THEY CHECKED ALL OF THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WASN'T THAT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I WANTED THEM TO CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME BY THE HOUR. THE CAR STARTED MAKING THE NOISE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. IT WILL GO AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN COME BACK WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED ALSO. NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10112454

Official recalls

1

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.

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.