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2004 Lincoln Aviator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

68 reports with mileage · 13 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 21 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.

2 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

15 reports
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118,000 miles · Apr 5, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2011. MY WIFE TOOK THE AVIATOR TO THE AAA CAR CARE CENTER TO FIND AND REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE AAA CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN PLACED THE AVIATOR ON THE LIFT AND DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS HANGING FREELY AND LI…

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MY LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2011. MY WIFE TOOK THE AVIATOR TO THE AAA CAR CARE CENTER TO FIND AND REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE AAA CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN PLACED THE AVIATOR ON THE LIFT AND DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS HANGING FREELY AND LITERALLY SWINGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE WELDING THAT HOLDS THE MOUNT TO WHICH THE DIFFERENTIAL UNTIL IS BOLTED, BROKE FROM THE FRAME. THIS ISSUE OF A DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT WELD BREAKING FREE HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BY THE AAA CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN OR THE AAA SERVICE MANAGER WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. FURTHERMORE, THE MOUNT WAS ONLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE (SIDE CLOSEST TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE). I VISITED THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE WITH MY AVIATOR?S DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT ONLY BEING WELDED ON ONE SIDE AND ASKED TO SEE AN AVIATOR OR EXPLORER THAT WOULD HAVE THE SAME DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING SYSTEM. THIS LINCOLN DEALERSHIP HAD AN EXPLORER UP ON THE LIFT AND SHOWED ME THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT ON ALL AVIATORS AND EXPLORERS DO INDEED HAVE THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT WELDED ON BOTH SIDES TO THE FRAME. THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE SHAFT BECOMING DISLODGED IS EXCEEDINGLY HIGH AND COULD POSE A FATAL SCENARIO. I AM ASKING FOR LINCOLN TO INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL ERROR OF ONLY HAVING ONE WELD SEAM HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT MOUNT TO THE FRAME AND INSPECT FOR ANY FURTHER DAMAGES AS A RESULT, IN ADDITION TO INSPECTING FOR OTHER AREAS OF FAULTY CRAFTSMANSHIP. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS IN NO WAY THE ERROR OF THE CONSUMER OR DRIVING BEHAVIOR. THIS ISSUE POINTS DIRECTLY TO THE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INTEGRITY OF THE WELD AND QUALITY CONTROL OF LINCOLN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507210

31,000 miles · Nov 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING SOUND AND A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES THE SAME DAY AND AFTER SEEN THIS INCIDENT REPORTED BY OTHER CUSTOMERS, QUITE DANGEROUS CONSIDERING THAT ONE COULD BE HIT BY A VEHICLE DRIVING BEHIND IF THE DRIVER IS NOT KEEP SAFE DISTANCE AND CAN ST…

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VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AFTER A BEEPING SOUND AND A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES THE SAME DAY AND AFTER SEEN THIS INCIDENT REPORTED BY OTHER CUSTOMERS, QUITE DANGEROUS CONSIDERING THAT ONE COULD BE HIT BY A VEHICLE DRIVING BEHIND IF THE DRIVER IS NOT KEEP SAFE DISTANCE AND CAN STOP. THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF AND THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS GET LOCKED INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT THE OCCURRENCE IS QUITE DANGEROUS AND PUTS ONES LIFE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435641

94,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY, AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD FOR NUMBER 8 CYLINDER. TALKING TO LINCOLN MECHANICS AND CHECKING VARIOUS DISCUSSION GROUPS ON THE WEB SHOWED THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER LINCOLN AVIATORS, AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENG…

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ENGINE BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY, AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD FOR NUMBER 8 CYLINDER. TALKING TO LINCOLN MECHANICS AND CHECKING VARIOUS DISCUSSION GROUPS ON THE WEB SHOWED THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER LINCOLN AVIATORS, AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE WERE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME FAILURE. THE ROUGH IDLE CAN BE ALLEVIATED BY INCREASING THE IDLE SPEED OR TAKING THE CAR OUT OF GEAR WHILE IDLING. BOTH OF THESE ACTIONS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10411135

89,500 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR ENGINE HAS A BURNT VALVE WITH LESS THAN 90K MILES ON IT. RICH MORTON LINCOLN DEALERSHIP IN GLEN BURNIE, MD SAYS MY REPAIR WILL BE $5,400 IF I WANT TO FIX IT, WHICH THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO TOW IN MY CAR AS SEVERAL…

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MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR ENGINE HAS A BURNT VALVE WITH LESS THAN 90K MILES ON IT. RICH MORTON LINCOLN DEALERSHIP IN GLEN BURNIE, MD SAYS MY REPAIR WILL BE $5,400 IF I WANT TO FIX IT, WHICH THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO TOW IN MY CAR AS SEVERAL TIMES THE GEARSHIFT STUCK IN PARK AND COULD NOT BE SHIFTED TO DRIVE. I SPOKE WITH OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, MY TAILGATE WINDOW RANDOMLY FLIES UP WHILE DRIVING, JUST LIKE OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED. MY MAIN ISSUE IS THAT MY VEHICLE, AN EXPENSIVE ONE, IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE AND NEEDS THE $5,400 REPAIR BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE THAT FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. HELP, PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375188

74,000 miles · Sep 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR 74,000 MILES. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO INTERSTATE 95 S THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND LOST POWER UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. FINAL DETERMINATION BY A MECHANIC DETERMINED THE #8 CYLINDER WAS NOT HOLDING PRESSURE BECAUSE THE VALVE WAS NOT SEALING CORRECTLY. THE 4.6L V8 FORD ENGINE'S VALVE'S ARE POWDER COATED AN…

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2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR 74,000 MILES. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO INTERSTATE 95 S THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND LOST POWER UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. FINAL DETERMINATION BY A MECHANIC DETERMINED THE #8 CYLINDER WAS NOT HOLDING PRESSURE BECAUSE THE VALVE WAS NOT SEALING CORRECTLY. THE 4.6L V8 FORD ENGINE'S VALVE'S ARE POWDER COATED AND THIS CAUSED THE VALUE TO STICK AND OVERTIME WARPED THE VALVE'S COMPONENTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THIS IS AN ENGINE DESIGN DEFECT AND THE ENGINE AND WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETE VALVE JOB TO REPLACE THE HEAD, HEAD GASKET AND FAULTY VALVE STEM. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THE SUBJECT BUT WILL NOT PERFORM A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER WHILE MERGING WITH OR EVADING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357338

79,000 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT STARTED TO DEVELOP PROBLEMS. THE REAR BEARING SEAL FAILED AND OIL IS LEAKING OUT. THE GEAR SHIFTER ON THE CONSOLE IS STARTING TO STICK AND NOT GO INTO GEAR. I UNDERSTAND THE AVIATOR IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN THESE AREAS. THE VEHICLE…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT STARTED TO DEVELOP PROBLEMS. THE REAR BEARING SEAL FAILED AND OIL IS LEAKING OUT. THE GEAR SHIFTER ON THE CONSOLE IS STARTING TO STICK AND NOT GO INTO GEAR. I UNDERSTAND THE AVIATOR IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN THESE AREAS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 79000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. FORD MUST HAVE USED INFERIOR MATERIALS TO MAKE THE AVIATOR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND IF SO FORCE FORD TO RECALL THE AVIATOR AND REPLACE THE INFERIOR PARTS WITH PARTS THAT ARE SAFE AND RELIABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356799

90,000 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN I TURN ON MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR TO WARM UP IN THE MORNING THE SMELL OF THE GAS IS SO STRONG. WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR SHAKES SO MUCH THAT I HAVE TO PUT IT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID THE CAR FROM TURNING OFF. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR JERKS AND STALLS I FEEL SCARED WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE…

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WHEN I TURN ON MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR TO WARM UP IN THE MORNING THE SMELL OF THE GAS IS SO STRONG. WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR SHAKES SO MUCH THAT I HAVE TO PUT IT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID THE CAR FROM TURNING OFF. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR JERKS AND STALLS I FEEL SCARED WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE MY CAR SOMETIMES DOESN'T GO AS FAST AS THE OTHER CARS BECAUSE IT STALLS. THE CAR DRIVES ROUGH AND MAKES A WHINING NOISE ALL THE TIME. EVERYTIME I TURN ON THE AC IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND. I HAVE NOT HAD MY VEHICLE FIXED OR LOOKED AT DUE TO MY FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCE. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE WARRANTY. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF ME, MY FAMILY AND THE PUBLIC WHEN I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349196

8,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, APPROACHING A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TOWARD THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE NORMAL OP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, APPROACHING A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TOWARD THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE ACCELERATION FAILURE WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTIONS. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE INTERMITTENT FAILURES WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING AND REVVING WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS; AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WOULD OCCUR DURING THE ACTIVATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. RECENTLY, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE TOTAL REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF THE CYLINOID JOINTS REPLACEMENT; AND AN UPDATE OF THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM SOFTWARE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343413

59,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IT... WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. NO STEERING, NO BREAKS, AND 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS SURE TO BE THE DEATH OF ME... I HAVE BEEN LUCKY 3 TIMES NOW, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME??? VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL... MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE COIL PACKS…

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THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IT... WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. NO STEERING, NO BREAKS, AND 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAR IS SURE TO BE THE DEATH OF ME... I HAVE BEEN LUCKY 3 TIMES NOW, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME??? VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL... MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THE COIL PACKS... ISSUED BY EPA.GOV (FOUND AFTER DIGGING), REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL PACKS ARE COVERED UNTIL 120,000 MILES. FORD WILL ONLY REPLACE ONE AT A TIME, NOT ALL OF THEM, SO EACH TIME ONE IS REPLACED.. I STILL HAVE THE RISK OF ANOTHER GOING BAD. HAD FOUR REPLACED SO FAR, ANOTHER TOMORROW. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS KNOWING THAT THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER. A CAR COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH BECAUSE OF A DEFECT DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS DOESN'T CAUSE CONCERN FOR A RECALL... BUT A CAR SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL DOES? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I AM ON THE INTERSTATE NEXT TIME DURING RUSH HOUR AND I HAVE NO STEERING OR BRAKES???? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342868

62,500 miles · Mar 30, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED AN 04 LINCOLN AVIATOR IN DEC. 2006, IN AUG. 2007 I NOTICED IT WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT. IT WAS STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. IT WOULD SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE PROBLEM WORSENED FOR THE NEXT 6 WKS. NO MECHANIC COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON. IN OCT. 2007, I …

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I PURCHASED AN 04 LINCOLN AVIATOR IN DEC. 2006, IN AUG. 2007 I NOTICED IT WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT. IT WAS STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. IT WOULD SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE PROBLEM WORSENED FOR THE NEXT 6 WKS. NO MECHANIC COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON. IN OCT. 2007, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG STILL. THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COIL PACK. I HAD THAT REPLACED AND 2 DAYS LATER, THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. I WENT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO FORD, BECAUSE A CAR WITH THAT FEW MILES SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ENGINE TROUBLE. I TOOK IT TO FORD WHO TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER COIL PACK. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL ISSUED FOR THE COIL PACKS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR UP TO 120,000 MILES. I TOLD FORD OF THIS AND THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED. I ASKED THEM TO REPLACE THE REMAINING 6 COIL PACKS, THEY SAID THEY COULD ONLY DO IT AS THEY WENT BAD. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BREAK DOWN, IT WOULD JUST RUN BAD. 08/28/08 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND I LOST ALL POWER DRIVING 60MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I LOT MY STEERING AND BREAKS. IT TOOK ALL THE STRENGTH I HAD TO MANEUVER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE SLOWED, IT WAS NOT STOPPING (ON A HILL), I HAD TO USE THE E BREAK TO STOP IT. I TOOK IT TO FORD WHO REPLACED 2 MORE COIL PACKS. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE FORD TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TO TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT. I DECIDED I DID NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING AROUND A DEATH MOBILE. THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME, EXCEPT REPLACE THE PARTS AS THEY GO BAD. I STILL HAVE 4 BAD COIL PACKS & 4 MORE CHANCES TO AVOID INJURY OVER AN UNDEFINED TIME PERIOD. FORD IS KNOWINGLY & WILLINGLY PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK IN THIS VEHICLE, THAT THEY KNOW COULD BREAK DOWN AT ANY MINUTE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263639

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

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.