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2004 Lincoln Navigator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Navigator do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 24 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Suspension complaints

24 reports
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150,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED CAUSING THE REAR END TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AND WHILE DRIVING A CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED CAUSING THE REAR END TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AND WHILE DRIVING A CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM WAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR SUSPENSION AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11306797

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2019
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

I LET MY DRIVER GLASS UP IN DOWN MY GLASS HAVE CRACKED BADLY SOMETHING GONE ON

NHTSA ODI #11267821

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2019
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION WILL NOT PUMP UP, RIPPED OFF OIL FILTER CAR BOTTOMS OUT AND VEHICLES LOSE CONTROL

NHTSA ODI #11255720

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2017
Suspension

AIR SUSPENSION WILL NOT INFLATE ON TIME WHEN DRIVING AWAY. FRONT AIR. BAG SUSPENSION DEFLATES COMPLETELY EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I NOW HAVE TO BUY MY FRONT WHEEL WELL COVERS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM....CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #10968439

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND JIGGLE SEVERELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND JIGGLE SEVERELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10860759

12,300 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Suspension

CAR ONLY HAS 120,000 AND STARTED TO BOUNCE, AND LOWER DURING DRIVING. GOT DIAGNOSED, WITH DETACHED AIR LINKAGE WHICH WERE THE FRONT, PAID $430, 2 MONTHS AFTER THE MOTER STOPPED COMPLETELY, REPLACED MOTOR, NEARLY$600, INSTALLED AND DIDN'T WORK, RELAY WAS THE OTHER PROBLEM, CHANGED RELAY, WORKED FOR A WEEK, AND STOPPED COMLETELY! …

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CAR ONLY HAS 120,000 AND STARTED TO BOUNCE, AND LOWER DURING DRIVING. GOT DIAGNOSED, WITH DETACHED AIR LINKAGE WHICH WERE THE FRONT, PAID $430, 2 MONTHS AFTER THE MOTER STOPPED COMPLETELY, REPLACED MOTOR, NEARLY$600, INSTALLED AND DIDN'T WORK, RELAY WAS THE OTHER PROBLEM, CHANGED RELAY, WORKED FOR A WEEK, AND STOPPED COMLETELY! BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE, TRIED TO INSTALL IT BUT IS NOT WORKING, ANOTHER $100 DOWN THE DRAIN! MY ONLY OPTION IS COIL SPRING CONVERSTION, TO STOP WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! LINCOLN SHOULD TAKE MORE CONSIDERATION IN SUSPENSION, TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE AND DRIVEABLE!

NHTSA ODI #10821118

207,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Suspension

MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DROPPED DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. I TOOK IT TO A MECANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE HEIGHT SENSOR IN THE MEANWHILE WHILE THEY ORDERED THE PART AND A WEEK LATER IT GOT TO THE SHOP I DROVE IT AND OF COURSE WITH ALL THE BUMPING AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DROPPED NOW THE LINCOLN REALLY BOUNCES I TOOK…

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MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DROPPED DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. I TOOK IT TO A MECANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE HEIGHT SENSOR IN THE MEANWHILE WHILE THEY ORDERED THE PART AND A WEEK LATER IT GOT TO THE SHOP I DROVE IT AND OF COURSE WITH ALL THE BUMPING AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DROPPED NOW THE LINCOLN REALLY BOUNCES I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO GET THE SENSOR INSTALLED WENT BACK TO PICK IT THEY TELL ME THAT WASNT THE PROBLEM NOW MY PUMP DONT WORK AND MY FRONT END IS REALLY LOW. NOW IM STUCK WITH NO SUSPENSION AND SOMETHING MORE THAN LIKELY IS GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER A BLOWN TIRE BECAUSE OF THE RUBBING ON THE TIRE WALL OR A CAR ACCIDENT. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER BACK AND FORTH TO WORK I ALSO AM AFRAID TO TAKE MY THREE CHILDREN ANYWHERE BECAUSE OF THIS. IM AND EMPLOYEE OF GM SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO A RECALL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10730675

14,700 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Air BagsSuspension

I HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AND WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD THE AIRBAGS HAVE BUSTED ON ME AND THE COMPRESSOR. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND 2 YEARS IN A ROW EACH WINTER MY SUSPENSION HAS FAILED. MY WHEELS ARE RIDING RIGHT UNDER MY TIRE WALL AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. AT $10…

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I HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR AND WHEN IT GETS TOO COLD THE AIRBAGS HAVE BUSTED ON ME AND THE COMPRESSOR. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND 2 YEARS IN A ROW EACH WINTER MY SUSPENSION HAS FAILED. MY WHEELS ARE RIDING RIGHT UNDER MY TIRE WALL AND IT IS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. AT $1000 TO FIX THESE THEY SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 1 YEAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALL OUR VEHICLES, THE AIR SUSPENSION IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTHER RIDE NOT A ROUGH WINTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672760

112,000 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Suspension

JAN 2012 AIR SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING IN BELOW 30 DEGREES ON A TRIP. CAR WAS BOUNCING AND COULD NOT CONTROL IT PROPERLY. REPLACED AIR SHOCK ON REAR. NOV 2013 - SAME TEMPS AND SAME LIGHT AND CONTROL PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR REACHED A WARMER TEMP.(SOUTH FOR 3 HOURS) IT NO LONGER BOUNCED AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SERVICE S…

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JAN 2012 AIR SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING IN BELOW 30 DEGREES ON A TRIP. CAR WAS BOUNCING AND COULD NOT CONTROL IT PROPERLY. REPLACED AIR SHOCK ON REAR. NOV 2013 - SAME TEMPS AND SAME LIGHT AND CONTROL PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR REACHED A WARMER TEMP.(SOUTH FOR 3 HOURS) IT NO LONGER BOUNCED AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SERVICE SHOP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. DEC 2013 ANOTHER TRIP UP NORTH AND SAME THING.AND SAME SERVICE FIND. NOTHING. JAN 2014 IN A WARMER TEMP. LIGHT CAME ON AND BOUNCE CAME BACK. SERVICE SHOP SAID IT LOOKS LIKE THE COMPRESSOR IS GOING BAD. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO ME IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY FORD (LINCOLN). IT IS DANGEROUS AND CERTAINLY MAKES THE CAR UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560539

97,000 miles · Jan 1, 2014
Suspension

WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING, THE AIR SUSPENSION SPRINGS STOP FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THE VALVE THAT HOLDS THE AIR IN THE AIR BAGS GETS FROST ON IT AND CAN'T CLOSE ANYMORE. THIS CAUSES THE SUSPENSION TO RIDE ON THE RUBBER STOPS. THE TIRES RUB IN THE FENDER WELLS. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY RUB THE TIRE TO A TIRE FA…

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WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING, THE AIR SUSPENSION SPRINGS STOP FUNCTIONING AT ALL. THE VALVE THAT HOLDS THE AIR IN THE AIR BAGS GETS FROST ON IT AND CAN'T CLOSE ANYMORE. THIS CAUSES THE SUSPENSION TO RIDE ON THE RUBBER STOPS. THE TIRES RUB IN THE FENDER WELLS. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY RUB THE TIRE TO A TIRE FAILURE. THIS WILL CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558079

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.