NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
81 reports79,000 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…
Read full complaint
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…
Read full complaint
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…
Read full complaint
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…
Read full complaint
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
21,000 miles · Jun 29, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE FAILU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR ON SEVERAL OTHER IGNITION COILS, AND THE CONTACT REPLACED THEM HIMSELF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #10340659
80,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Power TrainSteeringStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SMOKE CIRCULATED THROUGH THE VENTS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THE SMOKE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE TH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SMOKE CIRCULATED THROUGH THE VENTS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE; AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THE SMOKE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. AFTER THE SERVICE REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES AND THEY ACCEPTED LIABILITY FOR THE RADIO AND STEERING COLUMN REPAIRS THAT FAILED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY DUE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED IN MARCH OF 2009; AND FIVE MONTHS LATER THE TIRES HAD WORN TO THE METAL IN RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM INEXPENSIVE KOREAN PARTS IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THE TRANSFER CASE AND U JOINT WERE REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED ANYONE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LIFE WAS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A CRACK UNDER THE REAR LIFTGATE. THERE WAS RECALL ON THE REARLIFT. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE ENTIRE SHIFTING MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE WHILE MAKING A TURN. UPDATED 12/17/10
NHTSA ODI #10339762
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2010
Air BagsCrashFire
VEHICLE WAS IN OWNERS DRIVE WAY SHE PUT VEHICLE REVERSE MOVED TWO FEET AND AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE BAG FULLY DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI #10320908
70,000 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE WAS REVERSING, MILES PER HOUR WAS UNKNOWN ,THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT CONTINUED TO RUPTURE AS SHE PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE AIR BAGS WERE TAPED. THEY…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE WAS REVERSING, MILES PER HOUR WAS UNKNOWN ,THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT CONTINUED TO RUPTURE AS SHE PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE AIR BAGS WERE TAPED. THEY INFORM HER IT WILL COST $1000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THEY WILL GIVE AN ANSWER WITHIN THE NEXT 15 DAYS ON THEIR DECISION REGARDING THE REPAIRS.THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THERE WAS ONLY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BUT NO REPAIR DONE ON THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10317014
75,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Structure
THE LIFTGATE ON THE BACK OF MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR CRACKED ON ONE SIDE OF THE LINCOLN SYMBOL. TOOK IT TO LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FROM THE COLD BECAUSE THERE WAS A WEAK SPOT THERE. WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE WEAK SPOT, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. AT THE TIME I DECLINED TO FIX IT. I …
Read full complaint
THE LIFTGATE ON THE BACK OF MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR CRACKED ON ONE SIDE OF THE LINCOLN SYMBOL. TOOK IT TO LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FROM THE COLD BECAUSE THERE WAS A WEAK SPOT THERE. WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE WEAK SPOT, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. AT THE TIME I DECLINED TO FIX IT. I JUST NOTICED THE OTHER DAY THAT THERE IS NOW A CRACK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINCOLN SYMBOL. I WAS TOLD IF I DON'T HAVE IT FIXED, THAT THE BACK GLASS COULD FALL OUT. SO NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A DEFECT THAT LINCOLN IS AWARE OF FIXED. THIS IS THE SECOND LINCOLN THAT I HAVE OWNED AND I DON'T THINK I WILL BE PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE AFTER THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302235
58,000 miles · Jan 10, 2010
Power Train
LINCOLN AVIATOR WITH 54,000 ON IT AND HAD TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, SHOP SAID THERE WAS SOME GROVE ON SOME PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILES. ALSO HAD A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 64,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE NOISES, ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. SHOP SAID SOME GROVE …
Read full complaint
LINCOLN AVIATOR WITH 54,000 ON IT AND HAD TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, SHOP SAID THERE WAS SOME GROVE ON SOME PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILES. ALSO HAD A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 64,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE NOISES, ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. SHOP SAID SOME GROVE IN SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD IT FIXED FOR $3,000. LATER FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT AT 10,000 MILES BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298873
NHTSA investigations
2EA09013 · 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.
Illustration