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2003 Lincoln Navigator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Navigator years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator are substantially higher than the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 36 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Suspension complaints

38 reports
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76,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Air BagsSuspensionVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF MY 2003 NAVIGATOR AS I HIT THE BRAKES I FELT MY SUV DROP FROM THE FRONT. THE TIRE SKIDDED AND I HIT THE CAR THAT WAS PULLING OUT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT MY TRUCK WAS NEVER THE SAME .IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT.I HAVE A 40000…

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WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF MY 2003 NAVIGATOR AS I HIT THE BRAKES I FELT MY SUV DROP FROM THE FRONT. THE TIRE SKIDDED AND I HIT THE CAR THAT WAS PULLING OUT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT MY TRUCK WAS NEVER THE SAME .IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT.I HAVE A 40000 DOLLAR TRUCK JUST PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS I KNOW MECHANICS THAT CAN CONVERT IT TO TO SPRINGS SUSPENSION FOR ABOUT 400 DOLLARS BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR A PIECE OF YOU KNOW WHAT.I DRIVE A 2000 NISSAN WITH 170000 MILES ON IT AND HAVEN'T SPEND A DIME ON IT BESIDES TIRES *TT

NHTSA ODI #10427948

76,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Electrical SystemSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THEY STATED THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUSPENSION WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THE AIR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THEY STATED THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUSPENSION WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFLATING. THE DEALER STATED THE AIR BAG FOR THE SUSPENSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10408572

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2010
Suspension

SUSPENSION SYSTEM RISES AND FALLS WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE FIRST INCIDENT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WOULD NOT RAISE UP AND MADE DRIVING HAZARDOUS. THIS LAST INCIDENT THE REAR WENT UP AND WILL NOT COME DOWN. THE VEHICLE CAN HARDLY BE HELD IN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN LISTED ON THE…

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SUSPENSION SYSTEM RISES AND FALLS WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THE FIRST INCIDENT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WOULD NOT RAISE UP AND MADE DRIVING HAZARDOUS. THIS LAST INCIDENT THE REAR WENT UP AND WILL NOT COME DOWN. THE VEHICLE CAN HARDLY BE HELD IN THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN LISTED ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373563

140,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ABNORMALLY. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HE COULD FEEL THE BODY OF THE TRUCK TOUCH THE TIRE. THE ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ABNORMALLY. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HE COULD FEEL THE BODY OF THE TRUCK TOUCH THE TIRE. THE ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED IN APRIL 2008 AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10368497

112,000 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Suspension

SUSPENSION RELAY FAILS THEN COMPRESSOR FAILS NOW IT STILL WILL NOT FILL AND HOLD AS IT SHOULD RIGHT FRONT DIPS DANGEROUSLY LOW NO REAL FIX OR RELIEF IN SIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368246

98,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Suspension

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS IN MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365684

102,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AROUND 100,0000 MILES. ALSO AIR BAGS LEAK AND ARE SLOW TO AIR UP IN COLD WEATHER. MECHANIC SAID NEED TO REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360339

150,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR RISE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF ROAD BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE AIR RISE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR RISE SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BOUNCE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF ROAD BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE AIR RISE SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE AIR RISE SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #10359079

93,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Suspension

I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS MY TRUCK HAS PRIMARILY SAT IN THE GARAGE, THE SUSPENSION WENT OUT TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE TOLD THE COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WE DID THIS TO THE TUNE OF $599.00, AFTER THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED MY TRUCK RAN OKAY, IT NEVER SEEMED QUITE THE SAME, AFTER ALMOST 5 MONTHS…

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I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS MY TRUCK HAS PRIMARILY SAT IN THE GARAGE, THE SUSPENSION WENT OUT TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE TOLD THE COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WE DID THIS TO THE TUNE OF $599.00, AFTER THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED MY TRUCK RAN OKAY, IT NEVER SEEMED QUITE THE SAME, AFTER ALMOST 5 MONTHS THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AGAIN, THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR AND AIR BAGS AND WOULD COST APROX. $1,300.00 AND COULD COST MORE IF OTHER SUSPENSION ISSUES WERE DISCOVERED, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE DUE TO SEVERAL REASONS FINANCIALLY, THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN, THE BODY OF THE TRUCK SITS SO LOW, WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE AXEL DAMAGE FROM THE IMPROPER DISTRIBUTION OF BODY WEIGHT ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SUSPENSION BEING OUT. OUR LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER (APROX. 20 MILES AWAY) SAID WE NEED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT?, OUR TRUCK IS NOT DRIVABLE, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GOT ABOUT 2.5 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOME AND HAD TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK HOME, THE VIOLENT BOUNCING AND ROCKING GIVES A WHIPPING MOVEMENT THAT CAUSED MY HEAD TO CONTINUOUSLY HIT THE HEAD REST VERY HARD, THIS CAUSING GREAT BACK AND NECK PAIN, NOT TO MENTION CAUSE FOR ALARM ON WHAT THIS UNSAFE DRIVING IS DOING TO THE VEHICLE...I AM SO DISAPPOINTED, I AM MAKING $500.00 A MONTH PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE I CANNOT AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. WHAT'S EVEN MORE TROUBLING I CANNOT FIND ANY RECALLS ON THE SUSPENSION AND I HAVE BEEN READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, WHAT IS FORD DOING ABOUT THIS? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF THEY ARE WORKING ON MAKING THIS RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318175

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2010
Suspension

A YEAR AND AHALF AGO, THE NAVIGATOR BEGAN TO MAKE STRANGE GROWLING NOISES WHEN IT WAS PARKED UNDER THE GARAGE. SOME DAYS WHEN I WOULD TRY TO GET INTO THE CAR, IT WAS HIGH OFF THE GROUND, OTHER DAYS IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY LOW. THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION WENT OUT ON OUR 2003 NAVIGATOR. IT COST ME OVER $700 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THIS IS…

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A YEAR AND AHALF AGO, THE NAVIGATOR BEGAN TO MAKE STRANGE GROWLING NOISES WHEN IT WAS PARKED UNDER THE GARAGE. SOME DAYS WHEN I WOULD TRY TO GET INTO THE CAR, IT WAS HIGH OFF THE GROUND, OTHER DAYS IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY LOW. THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION WENT OUT ON OUR 2003 NAVIGATOR. IT COST ME OVER $700 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION, SO I HAD TO BORROW A CAR FOR A WEEK TO GET TO WORK. NOW, IT IS OUT AGAIN! BECAUSE OF THE LAST EXPERIENCE, I HAD BEEN DOING A SYSTEM CHECK PERIODICALLY. THE CHECK ALWAYS SAID, "SUSPENSION OK". WELL, TWO WEEKS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE CAR SEEMED TO LEAN TO THE RIGHT OR LEAN FORWARD WHEN PARKED. FINALLY, LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND SAID, THE CAR WAS RIDING LIKE A BOUNCING BUGGY - THE SUSPENSION IS GONE AGAIN! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IT IS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION WE HAVE FOR GETTING TO WORK. AND I'M STILL PAYING ON A CAR THAT I CANNOT RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310436

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

1

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.