NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
13 reportsClear category filter158,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
NHTSA ODI #10731207
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2014
Power TrainCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT RAN TO CATCH VEHICLE AND WAS INJURED FROM A FALL. DRIVER SUFFERED SPRAINED ANGLE, BODY BRUISING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT RAN TO CATCH VEHICLE AND WAS INJURED FROM A FALL. DRIVER SUFFERED SPRAINED ANGLE, BODY BRUISING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10573745
61,400 miles · Jan 6, 2011
Power Train
GEAR SHIFT KNOB CAME LOOSE. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE LOCKED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. COULD NOT USE REVERSE, NEUTRAL OR PARK. I COULD NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVE. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10375034
72,000 miles · Jun 28, 2010
Power Train
WE HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ON JUNE 17, 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON THE 605 FREEWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY THEN LOOSE POWER. THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING BUT COULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. A HUGE MACK TRUCK BEHIND US WAS BRAKING HARD TO AVOID HITTING OUR CAR. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE WITH THE CAR SHA…
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WE HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ON JUNE 17, 2010 WHILE DRIVING ON THE 605 FREEWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY THEN LOOSE POWER. THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING BUT COULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. A HUGE MACK TRUCK BEHIND US WAS BRAKING HARD TO AVOID HITTING OUR CAR. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE WITH THE CAR SHAKING AND RATTLING. LUCKILY, IT HAD ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE AN EXIT. A PRIVATE AUTO MECHANIC AT AUTO SHOP ARTESIA FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BLOWN AND COMPLETELY DAMAGED THE CYLINDERS HEAD. MECHANIC STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS MANY TIMES ON FORD VEHICLES. MECHANIC INSISTS THAT VEHICLE MUST BE TOW TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR EXTENSIVE MAJOR REPAIR. MECHANIC RECOMMENDS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IT MAY IGNITE IN FLAMES DUE TO FUEL LEAK. WHEN CAR ARRIVED AT CERRITOS FORD DEALERSHIP, LEAD TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT IT IS A BLOWN SPARK PLUGS ISSUE WHICH DAMAGED THE CYLINDERS HEAD. REPAIR BILL IS QUOTED AT $4,500. CERRITOS FORD ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS AN A KNOWN DEFECTS ON FORD VEHICLES AND CAN NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIR COST DUE TO THE FACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY UNABLE TO COMPENSATE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THIS MATTER. MY CASH RESERVE IS FOR MY SON'S MONTHLY SCHOOL TUITION. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP US. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT ON FORD VEHICLES, BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY ASSISTANT FROM FORD REGARDING THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340514
55,000 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT MARSHALL BROS IN NEW ORLEANS, VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED 2 MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASED. VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH THE PROBLEM KNOWN TO DEALERSHIP. WORKER AT LOCATION STATED THEY KNEW IT AND WHEN WE PURCHASED VEHICLE, THEY INSISTED ON US BUYING…
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VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT MARSHALL BROS IN NEW ORLEANS, VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED 2 MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASED. VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH THE PROBLEM KNOWN TO DEALERSHIP. WORKER AT LOCATION STATED THEY KNEW IT AND WHEN WE PURCHASED VEHICLE, THEY INSISTED ON US BUYING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SINCE IT WAS USED. INSISTED TO THE POINT OF GIVING POLICY AT COST, THIS WAS DUE TO KNOWN PROBLEM, TRANSMISSION CASE AND UNIT WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED THAT IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MISSED. PREVIOUS OWNER CONTACTED AND STATED THEY TOLD DEALERSHIP OF PROBLEM. ALSO SINCE VEHICLE WAS OWNED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GONE HAYWIRE, BATTERY NOT CHARGING PERIODICALLY, ALARM AND LIGHTS OPERATING ON THEIR OWN,LIGHTS STAYING ON, COMING ON AT NIGHT, RADIO STAYING ON DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR ISSUES, THEY KEPT VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS. HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES, SAME STATEMENT BY DEALER. I RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON INTERNET AND DISCOVERED TSB'S ON SAME PROBLEMS, BUT NO RECALL. BUT TSBS HAVE EXISTED SINCE 2004, DEALER KNEW WINDSHIELD LEAKS INTO COMPUTER AND MOONROOF CAN LEAK CAUSING SAME PROBLEM, DEALERSHIP DIDN'T FIX ANYTHING, THEN WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY DEALERSHIP STATES KNOWN ISSUE AND FUSE PANEL NEEDS REPLACING AT COST OF $4,000 . THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AFTER MY RESEARCH AND SINCE THE DEALERSHIPS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN INCLUDING LYING AND SELLING VEHICLES WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS. BBB WAS CONTACTED AND IN PROCESS OF HAVING PRESS INVOLVED. PLEASE LOOK AT ALL COMPLAINTS ON ISSUE AND MAKE A RECALL NECESSARY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, VEHICLES WRECKING, PUTTING DRIVERS IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308848
98,000 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK HAS FAILED - EFFECTIVELY LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN PARK WHILE MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. LUCKILY, IT WAS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE WE NEEDED TO MOVE RIGHT AWAY AS INDICATED BY A PREVIOUS…
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THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK HAS FAILED - EFFECTIVELY LEAVING THE VEHICLE STUCK IN PARK WHILE MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. LUCKILY, IT WAS NOT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE WE NEEDED TO MOVE RIGHT AWAY AS INDICATED BY A PREVIOUS POSTER. FOR SOME REASON, THE TRANSISTOR IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILS, EFFECTIVELY LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. AS THERE IS NOT A SAFETY OVERRIDE SWITCH THAT IS HANDY, OR A SLOT TO PUT A KEY IN THE CONSOLE TO OVERRIDE THE INTERLOCK - YOU ARE BASICALLY STRANDED. PER THE OWNERS MANUAL, YOU HAVE TO REMOVE A PORTION OF THE CONSOLE WITH A SCREWDRIVER (POTENTIALLY DAMAGING IT) AND MANUALLY PUSH A LEVER - IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS RATHER DANGEROUS, AND I AM NOW ON MY THIRD ONE - THERE ARE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224465
100,000 miles · May 30, 2007
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILED ON THIS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHEN IT FAILED, IT COULD HAVE IMPACTED THE SAFETY OF BOTH ITS PASSENGERS AND THE PASSENGERS OF OTHERS AROUND IT, AS IT WAS IN AN INTERSECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10192019
43,900 miles · Oct 5, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE DEALERSHIP REBUILT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE GEAR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICL…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE DEALERSHIP REBUILT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE GEAR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE LAST REPAIR WAS MADE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MPH. THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE, THE MIRRORS WOULD NOT RETURN TO THEIR ORIGNAL SETTING. UPDATED 10/27/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169992
13,000 miles · Oct 20, 2005
Power Train
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM PARK. THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A CLANKING SOUND. WHEN STARTING UP THE ENGINE IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FOR A WHILE THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS U…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM PARK. THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A CLANKING SOUND. WHEN STARTING UP THE ENGINE IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FOR A WHILE THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10140305
35,000 miles · May 17, 2005
Power TrainSteeringSuspensionCrash
DT: WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF ON AN EXIT, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE ROLLED OFF, THEN THE TIE ROD SNAPPED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED. THE CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL. NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT TIRE OR TIE ROD WAS SO HOT THAT AS IT ROLLED INTO THE GRASS …
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DT: WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF ON AN EXIT, THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE ROLLED OFF, THEN THE TIE ROD SNAPPED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED. THE CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL. NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT TIRE OR TIE ROD WAS SO HOT THAT AS IT ROLLED INTO THE GRASS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. TIRE WAS RETRIEVED. PROBLEMS WITH REAR DIFFERENTIAL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. THE CONSUMER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. POLICE REPORT FILED.
NHTSA ODI #10121198
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · 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.
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