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2004 Ford Mustang

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 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

89 reports with mileage · 27 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

116 reports
9,464 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

DT: THE OWNER WAS GOING TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY IT TOOK THREE TIMES TO GO INTO GEAR. THEN, WHEN IT WENT INTO GEAR, IT WENT ABOUT 10-20 FEET BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE OWNER'S HOUSE. THE OWNER NEVER HAD FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE OWNER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE WHOLE TIME. THE OWNER SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURY. HAD ABOUT $400 IN H…

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DT: THE OWNER WAS GOING TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY IT TOOK THREE TIMES TO GO INTO GEAR. THEN, WHEN IT WENT INTO GEAR, IT WENT ABOUT 10-20 FEET BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE OWNER'S HOUSE. THE OWNER NEVER HAD FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE OWNER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKES THE WHOLE TIME. THE OWNER SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURY. HAD ABOUT $400 IN HOME REPAIRS, ABOUT $6000 IN CAR REPAIR, AND DOCTOR BILLS AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENT. THE OWNER CALLED FORD, WHO SAID IT MUST BE AN UNUSUAL ACCIDENT, AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10133704

14,680 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Equipment

THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY 2004 MUSTANG COBRA IS THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK UNDER THE CARPET AND UNDER THE REMOVABLE FLOOR MAT AT WOT AND AN ANNOYING VIBRATION AT HIGHER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOTHING SCARIER THAN HAVING YOUR CAR CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AFTER YOU GET OFF THE GAS AND THE TRAFFIC AHEAD IS STOPPED AND YOU ARE APPRO…

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THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY 2004 MUSTANG COBRA IS THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK UNDER THE CARPET AND UNDER THE REMOVABLE FLOOR MAT AT WOT AND AN ANNOYING VIBRATION AT HIGHER HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOTHING SCARIER THAN HAVING YOUR CAR CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AFTER YOU GET OFF THE GAS AND THE TRAFFIC AHEAD IS STOPPED AND YOU ARE APPROACHING TRIPLE DIGIT SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE LETTING THE MOTOR OVER REV AND HIT THE REV-LIMITER, UNTIL I CAN DISLODGE THE PEDAL. THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON SUCH A HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE MAKING WELL OVER 400 RWHP. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS A CONTINUED VIBRATION I HAVE SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AT SPEEDS NEAR 80 MPH THE VIBRATION BEGINS AND WILL GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, SOUNDING LIKE THE REAR GLASS IS GOING TO VIBRATE OUT OF THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, BUT I SUSPECT THE PINION ANGLE IS INCORRECT AND CAUSING A BINDING CONDITION IN THE REAR END, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE BEARING FAILURE IN THE REAR END. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10133379

13,000 miles · Aug 13, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

1) WE PURCHASED A 2004 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE HAS A POOR DESIGN DUE TO THE DESIGN CUT ON THE END WHICH LEAVES TWO SHARP POINTED EDGES LIKE THE END OF KNIVES. THE POINTS ARE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH PAST THE BUMPER. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WE HAVE SEEN HAVE ROUNDING…

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1) WE PURCHASED A 2004 FORD MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE HAS A POOR DESIGN DUE TO THE DESIGN CUT ON THE END WHICH LEAVES TWO SHARP POINTED EDGES LIKE THE END OF KNIVES. THE POINTS ARE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH PAST THE BUMPER. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WE HAVE SEEN HAVE ROUNDING TAIL PIPE ENDS AND THE ENDS ARE FLUSH WITH THE BUMPER OR UNDER THE VEHICLE. 2) THE FAILURE OF THE DESIGN OF THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE WITH THE SHARP RAZOR CUTS LEAVING TWO POINTED KNIFE LIKE ENDS AND PLACED PAST THE BUMPER IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESULTED IN MY THREE YEAR OLD HAVING A MASSIVE UPPER ARM INJURY REQUIRING SURGERY AFTER FALLING BEHIND THE 2004 FORD MUSTANG. AS HE FELL HIS RIGHT SHOULDER SLID DOWN PAST THE BUMPER AND THE POINTED SHARP EDGE STICKING PAST THE END OF THE BUMPER TORE INTO HIS ARM ABOVE THE ELBOW TO THE VERY TOP OF HIS SHOULDER. THE INJURY REQUIRED MANY HOURS OF SURGERY AND WE HOPE NO OTHER CHILD WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS MEANINGLESS DESIGN FLAW BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR OEM MANUFACTURE 3) WE HAVE TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY ASKING THE FORD DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE WHICH WAS REFUSED AND REPORTED THE INJURY TO FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICES IN MICHIGAN. DUE TO NON-RESPONSE BY FORD WE HAVE PLACED A NORMAL SAFE ROUNDED TAIL PIPE EXTENSION ON THE VEHICLE. THE ROUNDING TAIL PIPE IS USED IN ALL OTHER VEHICLES THAT WE HAVE SEEN. THE EXHAUST TAIL PIPE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AT THIS TIME ON THE FORD MUSTANGS FOR 2004 AND 2005 WHICH ARE THE SAME DESIGN AND PLACEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132714

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2005
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER INQUIRY REGARDING RECALLS OR DEFECTS RELATING TO THE 2004 FORD MUSTANG. *MR *NM

NHTSA ODI #10133417

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2004 MUSTANG COBRA AND THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. I ALMOST GOT IN AN EXTREMELY SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT AND THINK THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FILED AGAINST THEM OR THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. EVIDENTLY THERE ARE MAN…

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I HAVE A 2004 MUSTANG COBRA AND THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. I ALMOST GOT IN AN EXTREMELY SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT AND THINK THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FILED AGAINST THEM OR THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. EVIDENTLY THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131595

8,200 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER 2003/2004 COBRA OWNERS AND DID NOT THINK IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME AFTER INSPECTING MY CAR. HOWEVER, ON JULY 30, 2005 I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WHERE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR AT FULL THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ISSUE IF I DID NOT HAVE…

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I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER 2003/2004 COBRA OWNERS AND DID NOT THINK IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME AFTER INSPECTING MY CAR. HOWEVER, ON JULY 30, 2005 I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WHERE THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR AT FULL THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ISSUE IF I DID NOT HAVE A LARGE OPEN SPACE TO PULL OFF. I WAS FORCED TO KILL THE IGNITION AND STOP THE CAR. AS I AM SURE YOU KNOW WHEN DOING THIS YOU LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING SO IT IS NOT A SAFE OR EASY TASK TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IT REQUIRED ME REACHING DOWN AND YANKING UP ON THE PEDAL WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO REMOVE IT FROM THE CARPET WHERE IT WAS EMBEDDED. WHILE MOST ISSUES WITH CARS CAN BE OVER LOOKED THIS IS POSSIBLY A VERY BAD ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130881

800 miles · Jul 28, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainTires

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 2004 FORD MUSTANG WAS HAVING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS GUSHING OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEM. THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS OIL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND IT WAS…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 2004 FORD MUSTANG WAS HAVING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS GUSHING OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEM. THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS OIL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND IT WAS STILL LEAKING OIL. THE OWNER CONTACTED FORD FOR HELP. FORD HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT FORD RECOMMENDED. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO HAVE A SEAL REPLACE A LINE, AND THE ENGINE IS STILL LEAKING. THE OWNER SAYS THAT HE CAN NOT DRIVE THE DRIVE BECAUSE IT WILL BLOW UP THE ENGINE. THE OWNER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN HE FOUND ALL THESE PROBLEMS, SO HE DIDN'T BURN THE CAR UP. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS THAT HAVE WORKED ON THE CAR. THE OWNER SAID THAT THE DEALERS HAD CLAIMED TO FIX THE CAR, BUT DID NOT FIX IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS HAD A TIRE PROBLEM THAT THE OWNER HAD TO REPLACE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS WEAR AND TEAR. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 800 MILES ON IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10130407

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2005
Power Train

MY GAS PEDAL HAS GOTTEN STUCK DURING WIRDE OPEN THROTTLE ON MY 2004 MUSTANG SVT COBRA. THE DEALER TRIED TO ADJUST THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THE ISSUE OCCURED AGAIN ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10130360

8,000 miles · Jul 24, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SVT COBRA, I WAS IN A 55MPH ZONE AND WENT TO PASS A GUY. MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK ON THE CARPET AND WOULD NOT COME UP, I WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3-4 OCCASIONS WHILE I REVVED MY ENGINE ALSO, I HAVE SINCE CUT THE CARPET ALL …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SVT COBRA, I WAS IN A 55MPH ZONE AND WENT TO PASS A GUY. MY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK ON THE CARPET AND WOULD NOT COME UP, I WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3-4 OCCASIONS WHILE I REVVED MY ENGINE ALSO, I HAVE SINCE CUT THE CARPET ALL AROUND THE GAS PEDAL SO IT WILL NO LONGER STICK. MIKE ZILINSKI

NHTSA ODI #10129831

62 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THE CAR SPEND OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE CURVE, THE ACCELERATOR WAS RUNNING WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THIS CAUSE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROLS TO BREAK ALONG WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL AND BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #10129775

Official recalls

1

06V108000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Apr 7, 2006

ON CERTAIN MUSTANG COBRA PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY COME INTO CONTACT WITH FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION. THE UNIQUE SURFACE PROFILE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN TO AN IDLE POSITION. UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION AND/OR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE CUTOUT IN THE CARPET BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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

3

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.

EA05014 · Accelerator Pedal Interference

Opened Sep 13, 2005 · Closed Apr 10, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

ON APRIL 3, 2006, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND FLOOR CARPETING IN APPROXIMATELY 19,140 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES (FORD RECALL NO. 06S43/NHTSA RECALL 06V-108, COPY ATTACHED).FORD WILL RECALL THE VEHICLES TO INSTALL A SHIELD BENEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PREVENT THE PIVOT PIN ON THE REAR SURFACE OF THE PEDAL FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION.IN THOSE VEHICLES WHERE THE FLOOR CARPETING DOES NOT FIT FLUSH WITH THE SHEET METAL, THE UNIQUE REAR SURFACE PROFILE OF THE MUSTANG COBRA PEDAL MAY ALLOW THE PIVOT PIN OF THE PEDAL TO CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE PEDAL, INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN; THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION.DURING THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS STAGE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ALSO EXAMINED THE POSSIBLITY OF THE SAME PHENOMENA OCCURING IN NON-COBRA MUSTANGS.HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENT DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE NON-COBRA MUSTANGS RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE POTENTIAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CARPETING, WITH THE BASE OF THE PEDAL PAD ACTING TO FORCE THE CARPET AWAY FROM THE PIVOT PIN.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

ON APRIL 3, 2006, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND FLOOR CARPETING IN APPROXIMATELY 19,140 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES (FORD RECALL NO. 06S43/NHTSA RECALL 06V-108, COPY ATTACHED).FORD WILL RECALL THE VEHICLES TO INSTALL A SHIELD BENEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PREVENT THE PIVOT PIN ON THE REAR SURFACE OF THE PEDAL FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION.IN THOSE VEHICLES WHERE THE FLOOR CARPETING DOES NOT FIT FLUSH WITH THE SHEET METAL, THE UNIQUE REAR SURFACE PROFILE OF THE MUSTANG COBRA PEDAL MAY ALLOW THE PIVOT PIN OF THE PEDAL TO CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE PEDAL, INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN; THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION.DURING THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS STAGE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ALSO EXAMINED THE POSSIBLITY OF THE SAME PHENOMENA OCCURING IN NON-COBRA MUSTANGS.HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENT DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE NON-COBRA MUSTANGS RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE POTENTIAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CARPETING, WITH THE BASE OF THE PEDAL PAD ACTING TO FORCE THE CARPET AWAY FROM THE PIVOT PIN.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED.

Vehicle Speed Control

ON APRIL 3, 2006, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND FLOOR CARPETING IN APPROXIMATELY 19,140 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES (FORD RECALL NO. 06S43/NHTSA RECALL 06V-108, COPY ATTACHED).FORD WILL RECALL THE VEHICLES TO INSTALL A SHIELD BENEATH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PREVENT THE PIVOT PIN ON THE REAR SURFACE OF THE PEDAL FROM COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR CARPETING DURING HEAVY THROTTLE APPLICATION.IN THOSE VEHICLES WHERE THE FLOOR CARPETING DOES NOT FIT FLUSH WITH THE SHEET METAL, THE UNIQUE REAR SURFACE PROFILE OF THE MUSTANG COBRA PEDAL MAY ALLOW THE PIVOT PIN OF THE PEDAL TO CATCH IN THE CUTOUT ON THE FLOOR CARPETING BEHIND THE PEDAL, INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL'S ABILITY TO RETURN; THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE UNEXPECTED, CONTINUED THROTTLE APPLICATION.DURING THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS STAGE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ALSO EXAMINED THE POSSIBLITY OF THE SAME PHENOMENA OCCURING IN NON-COBRA MUSTANGS.HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENT DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE NON-COBRA MUSTANGS RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE POTENTIAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CARPETING, WITH THE BASE OF THE PEDAL PAD ACTING TO FORCE THE CARPET AWAY FROM THE PIVOT PIN.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CLOSED.

PE05038 · Accelerator Pedal Interference

Opened Jul 7, 2005 · Closed Sep 13, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

PE05-038 WAS OPENED ON JULY 7, 2005, WITH 11 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF THROTTLE STICKING DUE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE CARPET.ODI HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL 24 COMPLAINTS SINCE THE PE WAS OPENED.DURING PE05-038, FORD SUPPLIED COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION REGARDING 86 ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERFERENCE IN MODEL YEAR 2003 TO 2004 MUSTANG COBRA VEHICLES.EIGHTY-FIVE OF THESE HAD CONCERNS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, 70 OF WHICH WERE ANALYZED AS BEING RELATED TO CARPET INTERFERENCE.ODI IS CONTINUING ITS ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSAL FACTORS IN THE REMAINING 15 INCIDENTS.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.