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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

What owners actually said

127 reports
3,500 miles · Oct 22, 2003
EquipmentSuspension

2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR--- WITHIN THE FIRST 60 DAYS (5000 MILES) OF OWNERSHIP THE REAR END WAS TERMED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND A COMPLETE NEW ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE INSTALLED. AT 12,000 MILES THE REAR END AGAIN HAS STARTED MAKING THE SAME SOUNDS AS BEFORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND I WAS TOLD THAT F…

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2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR--- WITHIN THE FIRST 60 DAYS (5000 MILES) OF OWNERSHIP THE REAR END WAS TERMED TO BE DEFECTIVE AND A COMPLETE NEW ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE INSTALLED. AT 12,000 MILES THE REAR END AGAIN HAS STARTED MAKING THE SAME SOUNDS AS BEFORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO REPAIR IT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043354

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOWERS WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING INADEQUATE SUSPENSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10040213

14,500 miles · Sep 9, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH CONSUMER FELT THAT VEHICLE ROSE IN THE REAR AND TILTED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT THE TILT WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND AGAIN THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. THE CONSUMER FELT…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH CONSUMER FELT THAT VEHICLE ROSE IN THE REAR AND TILTED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE SAME THING OCCURRED, BUT THE TILT WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND AGAIN THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10038518

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2003
Electrical SystemInjury

I WAS DRIVING DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HIT THE MEMORY SEAT BUTTON MY MY NAVIAGATOR AND THE SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND KEPT GOING FORWARD UNTIL IT REACHED THE VERY FARTHEST IT COULD GO FORWARD. THE LIGHTS INSIDE WERE GOING CRAZY AND THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN AND ACTING CRAZY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON 8/20 AND TH…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN DRIVEWAY AND HIT THE MEMORY SEAT BUTTON MY MY NAVIAGATOR AND THE SEAT STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND KEPT GOING FORWARD UNTIL IT REACHED THE VERY FARTHEST IT COULD GO FORWARD. THE LIGHTS INSIDE WERE GOING CRAZY AND THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN AND ACTING CRAZY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON 8/20 AND THEY FOUND 7 ELECTRICAL FAULTS WITH THE VEHICLE. ON AUGUST 25, 2003, FOUND OUT I HAD BEEN CARRYING TRIPLETS BUT LOST TWO AND AM NOW PREGNANT WITH ONE. DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WAS RELATED OR NOT. ON AUGUST 30TH THE BACK LIFTGATE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SENORS IN IT AND ALMOST SHUT AND TRAPPED ME IN IT. LUCKILY I GOT OUT UNHARMED. SCARED TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WERE ONE OF MY OTHER CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN A BAY AT THE SERVICE DEPT. FORD TOLD THEM NOT TO WORK ON IT AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON WITH IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037522

100 miles · Sep 6, 2003
SuspensionTiresVisibility

JULY 22, 2003 I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, VIN# [XXX]. AFTER TWO DAYS, I NOTICED EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE COMING FROM SUN ROOF. ON THE THIRD DAY, THE SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN BUZZING. SINCE THAT TIME, THE BODY OF THE NAVIGATOR BEGAN HITTING ALL FOUR TIRES WHILE DRIVING AND BOTTOMING OUT EVEN WH…

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JULY 22, 2003 I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, VIN# [XXX]. AFTER TWO DAYS, I NOTICED EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE COMING FROM SUN ROOF. ON THE THIRD DAY, THE SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONED WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN BUZZING. SINCE THAT TIME, THE BODY OF THE NAVIGATOR BEGAN HITTING ALL FOUR TIRES WHILE DRIVING AND BOTTOMING OUT EVEN WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE SUDDEN ROCKING OF THE BODY OF THE NAVIGATOR. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SEPTEMBER 2ND. [XXX] STATED, I WILL NOT TRY TO FIX THE TRUCK AGAIN UNTIL, FORD ENGINEER [XXX] LOOKS AT THE PROBLEM.THE ENGINEER WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON SEPTEMBER 11TH AND MY TRUCK WILL JUST HAVE TO SIT ON HIS LOT UNTIL THEN. NO OTHER SOLUTION WAS GIVEN TO ME. NO LOANER CAR,NO ALTERNATIVES. I DID SPEAK TO THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE, AFTER A MONTH OF COMPLAINING TO CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND ASKING FOR MEDIATION ABOUT THE LEMON LAW AND SUSPENSION OF MY TRUCK PAYMENTS UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. I HAVE BEEN REFERRED FROM ONE PERSON TO THE NEXT STARTING WITH THE FORD FINANCE DEPARTMENT, TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, TO THE SELLING DEALER GENERAL MANAGER, [XXX] OF DAMICO LINCOLN MERCURY, TO [XXX] SERVICE MANAGER OF SENTRY SOUTH LINCOLN MERCURY, AND ENDING WITH [XXX]SERVICE MANAGER OF OWEN MOTORS. THE TRUCK IS A LEMON AS THE LAW STATES, IT HAS HAD THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS, TWENTY-FIVE DAYS AT REPAIR SHOP, NEW VEHICLE, (THIRTY DAYS OLD). TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AIR SUSPENSION- REPEAT COMPRESSOR DRIER FAILURES HAS BEEN ISSUED SINCE MAY/03 TO LINCOLN SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THESE REMAINING DEFECTS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE USE, MARKET VALUE OR SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. I AM HEREBY ALLOWING YOU ONE FINAL REPAIR OPPORTUNITY. I AM ENTITLED TO A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE ACCEPTABLE TO ME OR A REFUND CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEMON LAW.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10037344

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2003
Suspension

CONSUMER STATES IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH FRONT AND BACK SUSPENSION. WHEN COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY VEHICLE BOTTOMS' OUT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP. VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO BE DESIGNED TO ABSORB BUMPS. HE HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC 4 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THEY HAVE DONE MINOR REPAIRS. FINALLY CONSUMER W…

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CONSUMER STATES IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH FRONT AND BACK SUSPENSION. WHEN COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY VEHICLE BOTTOMS' OUT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP. VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO BE DESIGNED TO ABSORB BUMPS. HE HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC 4 TIMES, AND EACH TIME THEY HAVE DONE MINOR REPAIRS. FINALLY CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY KNEW THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT FIX IT. DEALER HAD CALLED THE ENGINEERS FROM THE LINCOLN MANUFACTURER TO TAKE A LOOK AT VEHICLE AND SEE IF THEY COULD REPAIR IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10038125

3 miles · Aug 11, 2003
Electrical System

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *MR *CB

NHTSA ODI #10033816

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2003
Structure

2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR - LOOSE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS - RATTLES OCCURS AT SPEEDS GREATER THAT 50 MPH. DEALER INSPECTED PANELS, BUT INSISTED THAT LOOSE PANELS WERE NORMAL CONDITIONS. SYMPTOM IDENTICAL TO NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER 10005562. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10028646

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2003
Suspension

2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ULTRA HIGH SPEED WHEEL SHIMMY. ORIGINAL WHEELS REPLACED BY DEALER DUE TO OUT OF ROUND DEFECT. WHEELS REBALANCEDW.HEEL SHIMMY REDUCED BUT NOT ELIMINATED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028644

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2003
Visibility

CONSUMER STATES SWITCH WHICH CONTROL THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED 4 TIMES THE MODULE ,AND STILL RECURRING THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10027300

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.