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2003 Lincoln Aviator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Aviator years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Aviator are substantially higher than the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 20 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. 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.

5 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

55 reports
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15,000 miles · Jan 9, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE SLOW LANE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION, WHICH TOOK ONLY A MINUTE OR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION SEVERAL TIMES…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE SLOW LANE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION, WHICH TOOK ONLY A MINUTE OR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND TRADED IT FOR A 2005 MODEL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147233

13,450 miles · May 25, 2005
Power TrainCrash

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 02V313000. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10118883

35,000 miles · May 23, 2005
Power Train

I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2004 I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A H…

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I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2004 I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY OR TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL GEARS, HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 15TH 2005 AS I WAS LEAVING MY OFFICE PARKING LOT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR IN ALL GEARS. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER. ON THE 21ST OF APRIL ALMOST A WEEK AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF I WAS TOLD AGAIN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON THE SAME DAY, 21 APRIL 05 I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE AND THE HEAD MECHANIC HAD IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE. HE STATED UPON RETURN THAT THE VEHICLE ACTED UP. MY VEHICLE STAYED WITH THE DEALER FOR THE NEXT 15 DAYS WHILE THEY TOOK APART THE TRANSMISSION, ORDERED PARTS, ETC. A FEW DAYS AFTER I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO SEE HOW THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. I EXPLAINED THAT IT STILL DIDNT FEEL RIGHT BUT I WOULD CONTINUE DRIVING IT AND NOTE ANY PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTER. AS OF TODAY, 23 MAY 05, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND I HAVE HAD THREE OCCASIONS WERE THE TRANSMISSION TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. THIS TO ME IS JUST A SIGN AND THE BEGINNING OF MORE PROBLEMS. DURING THE COURSE OF MY MANY VISITS TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEMS EXIST WITH MY MAKE OF TRANSMISSION, NOT ONLY IN THE AVIATOR BUT WITH THE EXPLORER AND THE MERCURY SUVS. WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHY HASNT FORD/LINCOLN ACTED ON IT AND PUT OUT A BULLETIN OR RECALL. SINCERELY LORI BELL

NHTSA ODI #10121909

20,000 miles · Mar 10, 2005
Power Train

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GEARS WOULD STICK WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE/REVERSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114936

7,991 miles · Mar 9, 2005
Power Train

SHIFT CABLE EITHER BECOMES STUCK,OR DISLODGED FROM SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.WHICH LEAVES ME FEELING VERY UNSAFE ,AS I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING WITH MY CHILDREN,AND THIS CAN,AS IT HAS HAPPENED AT ANY PLACE OR ANY TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112770

19,500 miles · Mar 3, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CABLE BRACKET. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10113388

30,737 miles · Feb 25, 2005
Power Train

MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR LOST POWER STEERING CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR ON A COUNTY ROAD AND MISSING DEATH BY GOD'S LOVE LAST TUESDAY,2/22/05. I STRUGGLED AND MANAGED TO DRAG THE CAR OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE BUSH AND AVOIDED HEATING AN ONCOMING CAR AND BEING CRUSHED BY A SEMI-TRAILER THAT WAS BEHIND ME. THE CAR WAS TOW…

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MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR LOST POWER STEERING CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR ON A COUNTY ROAD AND MISSING DEATH BY GOD'S LOVE LAST TUESDAY,2/22/05. I STRUGGLED AND MANAGED TO DRAG THE CAR OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE BUSH AND AVOIDED HEATING AN ONCOMING CAR AND BEING CRUSHED BY A SEMI-TRAILER THAT WAS BEHIND ME. THE CAR WAS TOWED(FLAT-BEDDED) TO THE LOCAL LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP. THE HEAD MECHANIC TOLD ME LATER THAT MY CAR HAD SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC BIRTH DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY MOUNTED AT THE TIME MANUFACTURED, AS A CONSEQUENCE THE HOSE FELL OFF THE MOUNTING/ATTACHMENT AND WAS CUT BY THE AIR CONDITION FAN. HE TOLD ME NEW HOSE HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND MOUNTED PROPERLY UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE CAR, BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR ANY DISTANCE. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE YOUR OFFICE TO FORCE FORD LINCOLN,THE MANUFACTURER OF THE LINCOLN AVIATOR SUV, TO SEND AN IMMEDIATE ALERT TO THE PUBLIC THAT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM IS POSSIBLE IN THE AVIATOR BRAND OF THEIR SUV. IF I DIED IN THE ACCIDENT,MY FAMILY WOULD NEVER KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WE DO NOT WANT ANY BODY TO BE HURT OR KILLED IN THE LINCOLN AVIATOR. SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD BE: GET A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT CAR OR FEEL UNSAFE IN A LINCOLN AVIATOR FOR A EVER? THIRD DOES YOUR OFFICE HAVE A RECORD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS LINE OF VEHICLE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE AND ASSISTANCE. UNYIME O. NSEYO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10112143

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

MULTIPLE FAILURES IN 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. DIFFICULTY TURNING , STARTING, JERK IN STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION IN TIRES, GEAR CHANGER LOOSE AND ECT. *BF THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 18 INCH RIMS BUT FORD REQUIRES 17 INCH RIMS TO BE LEGAL (OEM) EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS MALICIOUSLY DISHONEST SALE OF …

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MULTIPLE FAILURES IN 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. DIFFICULTY TURNING , STARTING, JERK IN STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION IN TIRES, GEAR CHANGER LOOSE AND ECT. *BF THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 18 INCH RIMS BUT FORD REQUIRES 17 INCH RIMS TO BE LEGAL (OEM) EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS MALICIOUSLY DISHONEST SALE OF AN AUTOMOBILE. THE SIDE FENDER HAD A GAUGE ON THE INSIDE, THE REAR STORAGE SECTION LEATHER RIPPED, THE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM KEPT COMING ON WITH A WARNING SIGN FROM THE COMPUTER OF A MECHANICAL DEFECT, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS WERE RATTLING, THERE WAS MOTOR NOISE UPON ACCELERATION, FRONT END NOISE, REAR HATCH RATTLED AND WAS SHAKING, THE WHEELS SQUEALED AND RUBBED, THE DOORS DID NOT AUTOMATTICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHCILE WAS ENGAGED INTO DRIVE, AND THE ENGINE KNOCK AS IF IT WERE RUNNING ROUGH. WHEN THE SERVICE TECH TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEAR LEVER OUT OF PARK, THE ENTIRE GEAR LEVER HAD COME APART IN PIECES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORSE THAN EVER. CURRENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL, JERK LEFT AND RIGHT, SHAKED OUT OF CONTROL AND UNABLE TO STEER. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10101993

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT AFTERMARKET RIMS TIRES ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING; DIFFICULTY TURNING THE VEHICLE, HEATER BUBBLING MAKING NOISES, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING, NOISE IN THE HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PULSATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIB…

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CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT AFTERMARKET RIMS TIRES ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING; DIFFICULTY TURNING THE VEHICLE, HEATER BUBBLING MAKING NOISES, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING, NOISE IN THE HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PULSATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION OF THE TIRES, THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAD TO BE CUT OFF RECONNECTED AND ADJUSTED, THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS RATTLED, MOTOR MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, FRONT END NOISES, REAR HATCH RATTLED AND WOULD SHAKE, THE WHEELS SQUEALED AND RUBBED, THE WHEEL JERKED WHEN TAKING OFF, THE GEAR CHANGER LEVER WAS LOOSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATED WHEN IN MOTION, AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS KNOCKING OR RUNNING ROUGH. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10094370

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2004
Power TrainSteering

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 12 TIMES , 4 FOR WHINE IN REAR END. REAR END REPLACED TWICE & STILL WHINES . LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THIS AVIATOR HAS 17,000 MILES . I TIRED OF THE WHINE AND TRIPS TO DEALER , I DO NOT WAS THIS AVIATOR OR A NEW AVIATOR... I DEMAND FULL REFUND.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10063621

Official recalls

1

02V313000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 21, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT RESULTING IN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA09013 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations

Opened Aug 18, 2009 · Closed Feb 12, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift; Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

Steering:column

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

Steering

This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for EA09-013. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078.

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.