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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 · Feb 5, 2010
Suspension

FRONT AIR SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, AND ONLY WORKS HALF OF THE TIME IN WARM WEATHER. TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE THRU THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS ONLY 76,000 MILES AND BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SUSPENSION AND RIGHT RUNNING BOARD. SEE ALL OVER THE INTERNET NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOU…

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FRONT AIR SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, AND ONLY WORKS HALF OF THE TIME IN WARM WEATHER. TRUCK IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE THRU THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS ONLY 76,000 MILES AND BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SUSPENSION AND RIGHT RUNNING BOARD. SEE ALL OVER THE INTERNET NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING, THIS IS CLEARLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL (2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR). THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE AT THE DEALER TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10306225

116,000 miles · Feb 1, 2010
Suspension

THE SUSPENSION IN MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT. THE ESTIMATE TO GET IT FIXED IS OVER $1000, BUT CANNOT REPAIR BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. BEING AS HOW THIS DEFECT IS SO WIDELY AFFECTS THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A POSSIBLE RECALL. A TYPICAL CAR DRIVER SHOULD…

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THE SUSPENSION IN MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT. THE ESTIMATE TO GET IT FIXED IS OVER $1000, BUT CANNOT REPAIR BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. BEING AS HOW THIS DEFECT IS SO WIDELY AFFECTS THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A POSSIBLE RECALL. A TYPICAL CAR DRIVER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR AN OBVIOUS ENGINEERING DEFECT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILING WITH ONE COMPONENT GOING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303560

60,000 miles · Dec 14, 2009
SuspensionInjury

2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR TRAVELING 65 MILES AN HOUR AND SUSPENSION WENT OUT REAR ONE THIS TIME TRUCK BOUNCED SO HARD HIT MY HEAD AND TRUCK WAS UNCONTROLLABLE WE NEED TO SUE LINCOLN. BOUGHT MINE IN STATEN ISLAND DANA MOTORS WAS IN SHOP 21 TIMES FOR THE SUSPENSION THEY FIXED AND 3 MONTHS LATER OUT AGAIN LAST TIME OCTOBER COST ME 1…

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2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR TRAVELING 65 MILES AN HOUR AND SUSPENSION WENT OUT REAR ONE THIS TIME TRUCK BOUNCED SO HARD HIT MY HEAD AND TRUCK WAS UNCONTROLLABLE WE NEED TO SUE LINCOLN. BOUGHT MINE IN STATEN ISLAND DANA MOTORS WAS IN SHOP 21 TIMES FOR THE SUSPENSION THEY FIXED AND 3 MONTHS LATER OUT AGAIN LAST TIME OCTOBER COST ME 1100 DOLLARS . VERY BAD TRUCK STUCK WITH PAYMENT OF A DEATH TRAP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295700

146,500 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Suspension

2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AIR SUSPENSION SENSOR FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL SUSPENSION AND DROP AS LOW AS IT WOULD GO, PROVIDING NO SUSPENSION. TRUCK BOUNCED DANGEROUSLY OVER THE ROAD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE SPEED AND REMAIN WITHIN LANE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292306

40,000 miles · Oct 17, 2009
SuspensionInjury

I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR .I BOUGHT IT IN STATEN ISLAND NY DANA MOTORS 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD IT IN THERE SHOP FOR SUSPENSION CENSORS AND BAGS OVER 10 TIMES MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 30 DAYS AGO AND GUESS WHAT MY REAR SUSPENSION WENT OUT .I CONTACTED FORD OVER 10 TIMES AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST TRUCK AND CO…

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I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR .I BOUGHT IT IN STATEN ISLAND NY DANA MOTORS 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD IT IN THERE SHOP FOR SUSPENSION CENSORS AND BAGS OVER 10 TIMES MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 30 DAYS AGO AND GUESS WHAT MY REAR SUSPENSION WENT OUT .I CONTACTED FORD OVER 10 TIMES AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST TRUCK AND COMPANY I HAVE EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH FORD FOUND ON ROAD DEAD GO GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288789

85,000 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION SENSOR WILL NOT STAY ATTACHED AND CAR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT RANDOMLY GOES UP TOO HIGH OR DOWN TOO LOW. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE TIRE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WELL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $2000 TO REPAIR. FOR NOW THE SENSOR WAS CLIPPED…

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AIR SUSPENSION SENSOR WILL NOT STAY ATTACHED AND CAR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT RANDOMLY GOES UP TOO HIGH OR DOWN TOO LOW. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE TIRE CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WELL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $2000 TO REPAIR. FOR NOW THE SENSOR WAS CLIPPED BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE. A WEEK LATER SENSOR CAME OFF AGAIN AND WE HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO PUT IT BACK ON OURSELVES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE. THOUGH LINCOLN DID CORRECT THE ISSUE WITH THE NEWER MODELS NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE ON THE OLDER MODELS TO MAKE A MORE LASTING REPAIR. ON LINE THERE ARE TONS OF REPORTS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE PARTS REPLACED TO ONLY FIND THAT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE AT HAND AND MORE MONEY NEEDED TO BE SPENT TO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT. THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT HAVE COME UP WITH SYSTEMS TO REPLACE THE AIR SUSPENSION WITH TRADITIONAL SUSPENSION SO THAT MULTIPLE REPAIRS CAN BE AVOIDED IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS EVIDENCE TO ME THAT A DEFECT IS KNOWN INDUSTRY WIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284477

50,000 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Suspension

CAN YOU CHECK OUT 03 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AIR SUSPENSION BECAUSE MY KEEPS FAILING COMPRESSOR AND HEIGHT SENSOR CAUSING ROUGH RIDES CHECKED ONLINE SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM LIKE ME TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282407

34,000 miles · Mar 5, 2008
Suspension

SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. RECENTLY, AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED. I CHANGED FUSES WITH NO RELIEF. HAD SEARCHED FOR MECHANIC OTHER THAN DEALER TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BUT NO MECHANIC WILL LOOK AT OR SERVICE BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THERE IS …

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SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. RECENTLY, AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED. I CHANGED FUSES WITH NO RELIEF. HAD SEARCHED FOR MECHANIC OTHER THAN DEALER TO LOOK AT VEHICLE BUT NO MECHANIC WILL LOOK AT OR SERVICE BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR SUSPENSION ON NAVIGATORS AND I WOULD NOT FIND ANY MECHANIC WHO WOULD TOUCH IT. TODAY MY VEHICLE IS SITTING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. I DON'T TRUST THE DEALER AS THEY ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET ME TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR FROM THEM AND WHEN I DON'T THEY OVERCHARGE ME FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220114

47,000 miles · Nov 4, 2005
Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAS FRONT AIR SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN TOO LOW. THIS WAS CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO RUPTURE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VALVES, SEALS, AND SUSPENSION AIR BAGS. HE DID NOT KNOW IF THE LAST REP…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAS FRONT AIR SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN TOO LOW. THIS WAS CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO RUPTURE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VALVES, SEALS, AND SUSPENSION AIR BAGS. HE DID NOT KNOW IF THE LAST REPAIR HAS TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141756

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

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.