NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
27 reportsClear category filter84,799 miles · Mar 11, 2013
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
I TOOK MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXEL SEAL WAS BLOWN OUT AND THE AXEL ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE RUINED BY THE AXEL FLUID THAT LEAKED OUT. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL F…
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I TOOK MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXEL SEAL WAS BLOWN OUT AND THE AXEL ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE RUINED BY THE AXEL FLUID THAT LEAKED OUT. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR AXEL PROBLEM IN 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CARS FOR FLEET CARS ONLY. I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED THEM FOR HELP WITH MY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILL. THEY SAID NO. IN ADDITION TO A VERY LARGE REPAIR BILL, MY CAR WAS UNSAFE DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE AXEL YET I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE SITUATION BECAUSE I DON'T OWN A FLEET CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502395
110,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train
HAD A PREMATURE AXLE FAILURE ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, ONLY 110K MILES. SAME YEAR, MODEL, BODY CODE, ASSEMBLY PLANT & PROBLEM AS ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS BUILT A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE GIVEN IN THE RECALL. …
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HAD A PREMATURE AXLE FAILURE ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, ONLY 110K MILES. SAME YEAR, MODEL, BODY CODE, ASSEMBLY PLANT & PROBLEM AS ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS BUILT A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE GIVEN IN THE RECALL. A LITTLE INTERNET RESEARCH WILL SHOW YOU THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT HERE THAT HAVE RECEIVED NO REMEDY FROM FORD TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THIS CAR I DISCOVERED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE THAT BROKE A FEW MONTHS AGO CREATING ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION HAS ALSO BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND IGNORED BY FORD & THE NHTSA. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, SOMEONE TO BE TRAPPED & DIE BECAUSE OF A BROKEN PIECE OF PLASTIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392546
59,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Power Train
VERY NOISY REAR AXLE BEARINGS, FORD HAS A SAFETY RECALL IF THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN SOLD AS A FLEET VEHICLE,SAFETY #04S16,THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE AS A SAFETY ISSUE, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 12-20-06 IN FL.IT HAD 52,343 MI. AT THAT TIME., THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE IN FL. AND THE SALESMAN …
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VERY NOISY REAR AXLE BEARINGS, FORD HAS A SAFETY RECALL IF THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN SOLD AS A FLEET VEHICLE,SAFETY #04S16,THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE AS A SAFETY ISSUE, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 12-20-06 IN FL.IT HAD 52,343 MI. AT THAT TIME., THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE IN FL. AND THE SALESMAN SAID IT WAS THE ROAD ALSO, BROUGHT IT TO INDIANA AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, IT NOW HAS OF THIS DATE 11-16-2010, 59,335 MILES, THIS VEHICLE SITS IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE I FELL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT WAS TITLED IN MICH. AND ORIGINAL PURCHASER HAD A HOME IN FL. AND I BELIEVE THEY MADE TRIPS TO AND FROM THERE WITH VEHICLE OVERLOADED. FORD HAS THE RECALL FOR ANYONE THAT HAD A FLEET VEHICLE BUT NO ONE THAT HAS A PERSONAL VEHICLE, DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT TO FORD THAT A PERSONAL VEHICLE WOULD HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER TOWNCARS AND HAD NO ISSUES LIKE THIS. GUESS I SHOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THE THIRD ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10366383
84,687 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TWO REAR AXLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84687.
NHTSA ODI #10281809
54,250 miles · Aug 11, 2009
Power TrainSuspension
2003 TOWN CAR ON AUG. 3, 2009 THE CAR LOST DRIVE FUNCTION ON INTERSTATE. THE REPAIR WAS A NEW DRIVE AXLE FROM THE FORD DEALER. ON AUG. 8, THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN WE LOST DRIVE FUNCTION AND THE REAR AXLE IS BROKEN. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE FORD RECALL NO. 04S16 OR 04V328000 AND HE EXPLAINED THAT THE VIN NO. DID NOT A…
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2003 TOWN CAR ON AUG. 3, 2009 THE CAR LOST DRIVE FUNCTION ON INTERSTATE. THE REPAIR WAS A NEW DRIVE AXLE FROM THE FORD DEALER. ON AUG. 8, THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN WE LOST DRIVE FUNCTION AND THE REAR AXLE IS BROKEN. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER ABOUT THE FORD RECALL NO. 04S16 OR 04V328000 AND HE EXPLAINED THAT THE VIN NO. DID NOT APPLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280110
39,840 miles · May 14, 2008
Power Train
NOISY REAR END ON MY LINCOLN TOWNCAR (2003). THERE WAS A RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE REAR AXELS & BEARINGS ON 2003 TOWNCARS WITH CERTAIN VIN #S (RECALL # 04V328000) MY CAR HAD EXACTLY THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL AND I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY OR THE REPAIR. I ONLY HAVE 39,840 MILES PON THE CAR…
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NOISY REAR END ON MY LINCOLN TOWNCAR (2003). THERE WAS A RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE REAR AXELS & BEARINGS ON 2003 TOWNCARS WITH CERTAIN VIN #S (RECALL # 04V328000) MY CAR HAD EXACTLY THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL AND I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY OR THE REPAIR. I ONLY HAVE 39,840 MILES PON THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER AND I HAD TO PAY A PORTION OF THE CHARGE. I FEEL THE REPAIR WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE NC UNDER THE RECALL, WHETHER THE VIN WAS ON IT OR NOT, THE FAILURE IS THE SAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10227751
83,512 miles · Jan 29, 2008
Power Train
HAD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR.HAD IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE.1/28/08 DRIVING AND HEARD LOUD KNOCKING AND THEN LOTS OF NOISE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID REAR WHEEL SEALS BEARINGS HAD FAILED. SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON OTHER 2003 LINCOLNS. NOT RECALLED ON MINE. COSTS …
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HAD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR.HAD IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE.1/28/08 DRIVING AND HEARD LOUD KNOCKING AND THEN LOTS OF NOISE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID REAR WHEEL SEALS BEARINGS HAD FAILED. SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON OTHER 2003 LINCOLNS. NOT RECALLED ON MINE. COSTS 1053.00 TO FIX. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10216409
40,600 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Power TrainSuspensionWheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND HEARD A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS, WHEELS, AND AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A COPY O…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND HEARD A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS, WHEELS, AND AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), WHICH HE TOOK TO THE FORD DEALER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,600.
NHTSA ODI #10206680
65,530 miles · Jun 15, 2007
Power Train
SEVERE NOISE IN REAR AXLE ON 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR . TOOK VEHICLE TO SELLING DEALER TO FIX IT, WHO CHARGED HIM $707.63 INCLUDING TAXES TO FIX IT BY REPLACING REAR AXLES AND BEARINGS WITH KIT 3W1Z*4A109*AA. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE PART OF NHTSA RECALL 04V328000 DATED JUL 6, 2004. FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S16. HOWEVER FORD DE…
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SEVERE NOISE IN REAR AXLE ON 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR . TOOK VEHICLE TO SELLING DEALER TO FIX IT, WHO CHARGED HIM $707.63 INCLUDING TAXES TO FIX IT BY REPLACING REAR AXLES AND BEARINGS WITH KIT 3W1Z*4A109*AA. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE PART OF NHTSA RECALL 04V328000 DATED JUL 6, 2004. FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S16. HOWEVER FORD DENIED WHEN I CALLED THEM AT 800-392-3673 SAYING THE CAR WAS NOT A FLEET SALE AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE REPAIR RECEIPT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193461
40,015 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Power Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE REAR AXLES AND BEARING WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE T…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE REAR AXLES AND BEARING WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AKI
NHTSA ODI #10171993
NHTSA investigations
4DP05005 · 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.
PE04010 · Rear Axle Fracture
Opened Jan 22, 2004 · Closed Jul 8, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
THIS PE WAS OPENED AFTER ODI BECAME AWARE OF TWO ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING REAR AXLE FRACTURE AND PARTIAL WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVING MY 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTORS (CVPI).INITIALLY, THE PE'S SCOPE INVOLVED ALL MY 2003 GRAND MARQUIS, CROWN VICTORIA, AND LINCOLN TOWN CARS (I.E., PANTHER PLATFORM) PRODUCED THROUGH JANUARY 2003.WHILE GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONFINED TO LONG-WHEELBASE LINCOLN TOWN CARS AND THE CVPI'S DUE TO THEIR UNIQUE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND USAGE PROFILES.FORD'S RECALL ADDRESSES THESE VEHICLES.BOTH THE COMPANY AND ODI ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD PERFORMANCE OF THE AXLES AND WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AS REQUIRED.
EA03014 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Opened Aug 22, 2003 · Closed Aug 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 182 REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT OR NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.THE DATA EXAMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION SUGGEST THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG CRASH SENSING SYSTEM'S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH INCIDENTS AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.ODI HAS NOT, HOWEVER, IDENTIFIED ANY FAILED COMPONENT THAT RELATES TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALSO, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY TREND IN THE MANUFACTURE DATES OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES THAT MAY INDICATE A COMPONENT OR VEHICLE-MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.
PE03011 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment
Opened Mar 14, 2003 · Closed Aug 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 173 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT OR NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2003 LINCOLN TOWN CARS.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT MY 2001 THROUGH EARLY MY 2003 TOWN CARS HAVE MUCH HIGHER COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES (138 COMPLAINTS AND 120 WARRANTY CLAIMS) THAN THE REMAINING VEHICLES (35 COMPLAINTS AND 32 WARRANTY CLAIMS).FORD CHANGED ITS SUPPLIER OF THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS FOR THE MY 2001 TOWN CARS.FORD STATES THAT THE ALGORITHM IN THE MY 2001 TOWN CARS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR'S DESIGN, AND THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMPROVED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN MODERATE SPEED SIDE POLE IMPACTS.IN DECEMBER 2002 (I.E., EARLY MY 2003 VEHICLE PRODUCTION), THE CRASH SENSORS WERE MOVED FROM THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE TO NEAR THE BASE OF B-PILLARS IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE INCIDENTS OF INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-014) FOR MY 2001-2003 TOWN CARS BUILT BEFORE DECEMBER 2002.
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