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2002 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 64 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 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports6 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

118 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2006
Structure

LAST SUMMER I PURCHASED A 2002 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE ROCK CHIPS IN THE HOOD WAS STARTING TO PEEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR AN ESTIMATE ON FIXING IT. THE BODY MAN LOOKED UP A TSB AND PRINTED IT OUT FOR ME. IT WAS THE BULLETIN ON SHEET METAL PRIMER. SEEMS THE MFG USED THE SAME PRIMER ON T…

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LAST SUMMER I PURCHASED A 2002 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE ROCK CHIPS IN THE HOOD WAS STARTING TO PEEL. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR AN ESTIMATE ON FIXING IT. THE BODY MAN LOOKED UP A TSB AND PRINTED IT OUT FOR ME. IT WAS THE BULLETIN ON SHEET METAL PRIMER. SEEMS THE MFG USED THE SAME PRIMER ON THE COMPOSITE PARTS AND AS A RESULT THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ENTIRE HOOD. I CONTACTED A FORD EXECUTIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD REPAINT MY HOOD WHEN IT STARTED TO RUST. MY ONLY QUESTION IS........WHEN DO COMPOSITE PARTS RUST? I MIGHT BE FEMALE BUT EVEN I KNOW THAT WHEN MY HOOD RUSTS THAT MEANS THE END OF THE WORLD IS NEAR. ALL I WANT IS FOR FORD TO STAND BEHIND WHAT THEY MAKE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151647

62,500 miles · Feb 8, 2006
Seat BeltsVisibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WEBBING DID NOT RELEASE MORE THAN 3 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE SEATBELT BECAME UNUSABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED CONCERNING THE SEATBELT. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 30MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TH…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WEBBING DID NOT RELEASE MORE THAN 3 INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE SEATBELT BECAME UNUSABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED CONCERNING THE SEATBELT. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 30MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT MOVE SMOOTHLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPERS MADE A THUMPING SOUND WHEN IN USE. THE WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BY THE DEALERSHIP DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE WIPERS WERE THE CORRECT TYPE FOR THE VEHICLE. IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS RAINING. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT DETERMINE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD FOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #10149821

6,600 miles · Jan 13, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 6,600 MILES. COMPANY INDICATED NO RECALLS, BUT THIS SEEMS RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH LOW MILES. WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 6 MONTHS BEFORE. VEHICLE ALWAYS HAD LOW POWER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147725

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2005
Air BagsSteeringCrash

DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ROADS WERE DRY AND SHE WAS DRIVING 40-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPIN AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. SHE WAS UNAWARE IF ANYTHING WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BO…

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DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ROADS WERE DRY AND SHE WAS DRIVING 40-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPIN AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. SHE WAS UNAWARE IF ANYTHING WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED, AT THE SCENE, IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SHE WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141289

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXHAUST INTAKE ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE IN HALF. THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER DRIPPED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INTAKE. THIS CAUSED THE BREAK. FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE EXHAUST WENT INTO THE ENGINE, AND THE PIPE WAS HANGING ON THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP WI…

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DT: 2002 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EXHAUST INTAKE ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BROKE IN HALF. THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER DRIPPED ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INTAKE. THIS CAUSED THE BREAK. FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE EXHAUST WENT INTO THE ENGINE, AND THE PIPE WAS HANGING ON THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, 04216.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10136481

24,988 miles · Sep 6, 2005
Visibility

THE HEATER CORE FAILED ON MY 2002 FORD MUSTANG CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG OVER WITH THE MOISTURE BEING RELEASED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135453

49,068 miles · Aug 13, 2005
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

STARTED CAR IN PARKING LOT, RUMBLED VIOLENTLY. PUT CAR INTO DRIVE, TURNING OUT OF PARKING LOT CAR DIES AND AM ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT ON CAR. NEW PUMP DIRECTLY FROM FORD DEALERSHIP WAS PUT INTO CAR. 3 WEEKS LATER I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, CAR STARTED TO RUMBLE AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO CREEP THROUG…

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STARTED CAR IN PARKING LOT, RUMBLED VIOLENTLY. PUT CAR INTO DRIVE, TURNING OUT OF PARKING LOT CAR DIES AND AM ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FUEL PUMP HAD GONE OUT ON CAR. NEW PUMP DIRECTLY FROM FORD DEALERSHIP WAS PUT INTO CAR. 3 WEEKS LATER I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, CAR STARTED TO RUMBLE AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO CREEP THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10132720

70,000 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

2 DOOR FORD MUSTANG CONVERTABLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER CAR ON SATURDAY 7/23/05 WITH 3 PEOPLE INJURED IN THE MUSTANG. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL

NHTSA ODI #10130017

40,000 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

DT: THE CONSUMERS 2002 FORD MUSTANG WAS PARKED AT A CURB AND TURNED OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. THERE WAS NO CRUISE CONTROL USED. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO …

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DT: THE CONSUMERS 2002 FORD MUSTANG WAS PARKED AT A CURB AND TURNED OFF WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. THERE WAS NO CRUISE CONTROL USED. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATED A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY NEW AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND WIRING WAS BURNT. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD MELTED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR DID NOT LOOK BURNED BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS SO QUICK TO RESPOND. THE OWNER USUALLY KEPT THE VEHICLE PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR UNDER HIS PINE TREES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10125880

14,734 miles · Jul 15, 2005
StructureUnknown Or Other

THE REAR WINDOW GOT BROKEN AND WHEN TO BE REPLACED WAS TOLD THE ROOF HAS A MANUFACTURED DEFAULT. FORD IS NOT WANTING TO FIX IT AND ARE PASSING ME AROUND TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSABILIY FOR IT, MY WARRENTY, IS OUT BY ONE MONTH AND SO THEY SAY TO BAD FOR YOU. I CAN NOT GET NEW REAR WINDOW , B…

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THE REAR WINDOW GOT BROKEN AND WHEN TO BE REPLACED WAS TOLD THE ROOF HAS A MANUFACTURED DEFAULT. FORD IS NOT WANTING TO FIX IT AND ARE PASSING ME AROUND TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSABILIY FOR IT, MY WARRENTY, IS OUT BY ONE MONTH AND SO THEY SAY TO BAD FOR YOU. I CAN NOT GET NEW REAR WINDOW , BECAUSE WINDOW MAN SAYS IT WILL NOT BE PROPERLY INSTALLED,OVER THE RIDGES IN THE METAL, AND MAY NOT SEAL AND COME LOOSE. (NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT, I AM WAITING ON A CALL FROM FORD FOR THREE DAYS.)

NHTSA ODI #10128930

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.