NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
127 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 29, 2005
Air Bags
CONSUMER LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND REMAIN ON FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME. *TS THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND COULD NOT REASSURE THE CONSUMER THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD WORK IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. …
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CONSUMER LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND REMAIN ON FOR VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME. *TS THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND COULD NOT REASSURE THE CONSUMER THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD WORK IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10138842
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
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN LEFT TURN, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT THE TAIL END OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10113441
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2005
Power Train
WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT ON ITS OWN. DRIVER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10117138
30,000 miles · Jan 28, 2005
Visibility
THE SUNROOF OF MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IN HEAVY RAIN THE TRACKS OF THE SUN ROOF FILL WITH WATER AND OVERFLOW INTO THE HEADLINER (INTERIOR) AND LEAK INTO THE CAR FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS SUCH AS THE DVD PLAYER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP. WAS TOLD BY THE LINCOLN DEALER THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN …
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THE SUNROOF OF MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IN HEAVY RAIN THE TRACKS OF THE SUN ROOF FILL WITH WATER AND OVERFLOW INTO THE HEADLINER (INTERIOR) AND LEAK INTO THE CAR FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS SUCH AS THE DVD PLAYER. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP. WAS TOLD BY THE LINCOLN DEALER THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY IF THE CAR WAS STILL "IN WARRANTY". THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN HOLES IN THE SUNROOF THAT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR PROPER DRAINING. I HAVE TALKED TO ONE OTHER OWNER OF AN FORD EXPEDITION AND FOUND HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HE WAS ALSO TOLD IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE SUNROOF. I THINK FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE ADVISED ME AND ALL OTHERS BEFORE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. EVERYTIME IT RAINS HEAVY THE RAIN LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE IN THE CAR. THE WATER TRAVELS DOWN THE HEADLINER INTO THE DASHBOARD AREA AND ALSO THE DVD AS STATED ABOVE. IF YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EFFECTIVE BY THIS I WOULD APPRCIATE IT. I DO BELIEVE, IF YOU INVESTIGATE, YOU WILL FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL OWNERS OF NAVIGATORS OR EXPIDITIONS AND MAYBE EVEN EXPLORERS. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108127
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE SERVICE DEALER TRIED VARIOUS FIXES BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109614
25,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH GETTING THE GEAR OUT OF PARK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103718
15,000 miles · Nov 18, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY, AND CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM T…
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WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY, AND CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10101295
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2004
Electrical SystemStructureInjury
THE RETRACTABLE POWER RUNNING BOARDS ON MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO DEPLOY AND/OR RETRACT. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY, I FELL WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, HITTING MY HEAD ON THE GROUND, INJURING MY LOWER BACK (LUMBAR)IN TWO PLACES AND FRACTURING MY (THORACIC) SPINE AT T-12. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS …
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THE RETRACTABLE POWER RUNNING BOARDS ON MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO DEPLOY AND/OR RETRACT. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY, I FELL WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, HITTING MY HEAD ON THE GROUND, INJURING MY LOWER BACK (LUMBAR)IN TWO PLACES AND FRACTURING MY (THORACIC) SPINE AT T-12. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHERS VEHICLE OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE RUNNING BOARDS. I'M TOLD THAT FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #17249 THAT DESCRIBES THE MALFUNCTION. FORD AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. I HAVE LEFT IT WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES, TWICE ONE OF THE RUNNING BOARDS WAS STUCK IN THE OUTER POSITION AT THE TIME IT WAS LEFT FOR REPAIR. I HAVE MET WITH THE FACTORY ENGINEER ON TWO OCCASIONS. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND TELPHONE CALLS TO THE LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICEHOTLINE AND MET WITH SMITHTOWN LINCOLN MERCURY'S PREVIOUS AND CURRENT SERVICE MANAGERS. A DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL TAKE AN INTEREST AND FORCE THEM TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE MALFUNCTION BEFORE OTHERS ALSO SUSTAIN SERIOUS INJURIES. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10086506
25,000 miles · Oct 27, 2004
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COMPUTER ELECTRONIC SYSTEM SHUTDOWN. *BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED 10044144 A PREVIOUS CLAIM FILED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10103160
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head
Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
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