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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
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

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

84,000 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ULTIMATE @ 84,000 MILES BLEW 2 SPARK PLUGS THROUGH THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ALUMINUM HEAD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD AND THAT THERE IS ALSO AN AFTER-MARKET FIX TO THIS INCREASING PROBLEM THAT RE-THREADS THE SPARK PLUGS, BUT THAT SAID FIX ALSO …

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MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ULTIMATE @ 84,000 MILES BLEW 2 SPARK PLUGS THROUGH THE ALUMINUM HEAD OF THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ALUMINUM HEAD HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD AND THAT THERE IS ALSO AN AFTER-MARKET FIX TO THIS INCREASING PROBLEM THAT RE-THREADS THE SPARK PLUGS, BUT THAT SAID FIX ALSO GETS FORCED THROUGH SAID INADEQUATELY ENGINEERED ALUMINUM HEAD. FOR REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF SAID HEAD AND SAID REPAIR IS ESTIMATED IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I REPLACED THE MELTED COIL AND BARELY WAS ABLE TO THREAD NEW PLUGS INTO PLACE, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN MY CAR. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL ALL OF THESE ENGINES AND REPLACE THE OLD HEADS WITH NEW, BETTER ENGINEERED HEADS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160387

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2006
Seat Belts

MY CAR IS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ONE OF THE 2ND ROW SEAT (BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE) HAS A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT (THE CONNECTOR IS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, SO I NEED TO TWIST THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT). I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER (STILL UNDER WARRANTY) AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT IS NORMAL AND IT I…

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MY CAR IS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ONE OF THE 2ND ROW SEAT (BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE) HAS A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT (THE CONNECTOR IS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, SO I NEED TO TWIST THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT). I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER (STILL UNDER WARRANTY) AND THE DEALER STATED THAT IT IS NORMAL AND IT IS ON OTHER NAVIGATOR TOO. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE TWISTED SEAT BELT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158907

72,500 miles · Mar 30, 2006
StructureInjury

POWER DEPLOYABLE RUNNING BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT EXTEND OUT (DEPLOY) WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE BOARD HAS NOT DEPLOYED SINCE THIS INCIDENT. TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND PARTS (MOTOR) ARE NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY.…

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POWER DEPLOYABLE RUNNING BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT EXTEND OUT (DEPLOY) WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE BOARD HAS NOT DEPLOYED SINCE THIS INCIDENT. TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND PARTS (MOTOR) ARE NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY. SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AROUND 40K MILES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH RUNNING BOARD ASSEMBLIES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154155

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2006
Visibility

MY NAME IS KIM DAVIS, I PURCHASED A NAVIGATOR FROM ARKANSAS AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY TRUCK SERVICED BUT I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF MY WARRANTY BUT HERE IN TENN. THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR WARRANTY. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME A.S.A.P. THE PERSON …

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MY NAME IS KIM DAVIS, I PURCHASED A NAVIGATOR FROM ARKANSAS AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY TRUCK SERVICED BUT I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY. THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF MY WARRANTY BUT HERE IN TENN. THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR WARRANTY. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME A.S.A.P. THE PERSON THAT I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IS MIKE ROSS AND HE DOES NOT FEEL MY WARRANTY FROM THIS COMPANY MEANS NOTHING TO HIM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151776

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

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

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE; CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH; ENGINE REVVED TO FULL SPEED AND COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED BY THE OFF OR BY CHANGING SPEED OF CRUISE; BRAKING WOULD SLOW THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY; WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE BUT SLOWED IT SOMEWHAT AND THEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTR…

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DRIVING ON INTERSTATE; CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH; ENGINE REVVED TO FULL SPEED AND COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED BY THE OFF OR BY CHANGING SPEED OF CRUISE; BRAKING WOULD SLOW THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY; WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE BUT SLOWED IT SOMEWHAT AND THEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. ALSO SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139576

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.