NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
12 reportsClear category filter81,000 miles · Jun 26, 2019
EngineStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POMPANO FORD (2741 N FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064, (954) 773-9486) FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POMPANO FORD (2741 N FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064, (954) 773-9486) FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. THE DEALER BELIEVED THE WATER WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FLOODING OR THE WIPERS PUSHING WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THERE WAS A PAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRAIN WATER OUT INTO THE STREET. THE DEALER TRIED TO BLAME THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SCRAPE REPAIRED. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONTACT A BILL FOR $880 AND DID NOT CLEAR OUT THE WATER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT STILL FULL OF WATER AND GAVE HIM A STATEMENT LISTING THE CHARGES FOR WHICH THEY EXPECTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #11222735
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2017
Structure
"TAKATA RECALL". I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON OUR WAY HOME FROM ALABAMA TO INDIANA WHEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED AND EXPLODED. PIECES OF GLASS STARTED FLYING OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR AND MY KIDS BECAME SCARED. ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF. LUCKILY I HA…
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"TAKATA RECALL". I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON OUR WAY HOME FROM ALABAMA TO INDIANA WHEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED AND EXPLODED. PIECES OF GLASS STARTED FLYING OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR AND MY KIDS BECAME SCARED. ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF. LUCKILY I HAD THE SUNROOF VISOR CLOSED AS WELL OR PIECES OF GLASS WOULD HAVE FLOWN BACK IN MY CAR POTENTIALLY HARMING ONE OF MY CHILDREN. I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPLACED AND I'M HOPING TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIGURING THINGS OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11039508
85,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
SeatsStructure
I HAVE A 2003, LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND WHEN IT RAINS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD GETS SOAKING WET, I CAN HAVE IT UNDER THE CAR PORT AND IT STILL GETS WET. I DO NOT HAVE ANY HOLES IN THE CAR. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND THEY CHANGED BY WIND SHEILD FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN …
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I HAVE A 2003, LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND WHEN IT RAINS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD GETS SOAKING WET, I CAN HAVE IT UNDER THE CAR PORT AND IT STILL GETS WET. I DO NOT HAVE ANY HOLES IN THE CAR. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND THEY CHANGED BY WIND SHEILD FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN THE 1999 THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WOULD WETTER THAN THE BACK, WITH THE 2003 THE BACK FLOOR BOARD IS WETTER THAN THE FRONT, I ALMOST THINK IT IS COMING FROM SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470403
70,978 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Structure
MANUFACTURING / DESIGN DEFECT IN VEHICLE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAUSING PANEL TO FAIL AND INSIDE DOOR LATCH HANDLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVER BEING UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. DRIVER IS TRAPPED AND IN DANGER IN AN EMERGENCY. COMPANY NO LONGER PRODUCES REPLACEMENT PARTS OR REPAIR PARTS. THIS DESIGN CONT…
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MANUFACTURING / DESIGN DEFECT IN VEHICLE INSIDE DOOR PANEL CAUSING PANEL TO FAIL AND INSIDE DOOR LATCH HANDLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVER BEING UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. DRIVER IS TRAPPED AND IN DANGER IN AN EMERGENCY. COMPANY NO LONGER PRODUCES REPLACEMENT PARTS OR REPAIR PARTS. THIS DESIGN CONTINUES IN CURRENT MODELS AND WILL MULTIPLY EXPOSURE AS VEHICLES AGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407714
29,000 miles · Jan 14, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TWO ALTERNATORS INSTALLED IN HER VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING 30 AND 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TWO ALTERNATORS INSTALLED IN HER VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING 30 AND 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS FLASH ON AND OFF AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD FIND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $90 PER HOUR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT OVERCHARGING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10255016
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2008
StructureSuspension
2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE. CONSUMER HAS A COMPLAINT WITH FORD ABOUT MULTIPLE RECALL REPAIRS (REAR AXLES, BEARING, AND SEAL RECALL) ON THE SAME VEHICLES AND FOR THE SAME MECHANICAL RECALL FAILURE. *NJ THE AXLE SEALS AND BEARINGS CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE REAR AXLE, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE, REAL AXLE BEARIN…
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2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE. CONSUMER HAS A COMPLAINT WITH FORD ABOUT MULTIPLE RECALL REPAIRS (REAR AXLES, BEARING, AND SEAL RECALL) ON THE SAME VEHICLES AND FOR THE SAME MECHANICAL RECALL FAILURE. *NJ THE AXLE SEALS AND BEARINGS CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE REAR AXLE, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE, REAL AXLE BEARINGS AND THE REAR AXLE SEALS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED REPAIRS ON THE REAR AXLE TWICE. WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. RECALL 04V328000 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10249229
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
MOLD OR MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM ALL VENTS WHEN A/C, HEAT OR FAN IS USED. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 CARS AND UP AND CAN BE ELIMINATED BY SPRAYING LYSOL DIRECTLY INTO VENTS. I TRIED IT AND IT DOESN'T WORK. CLOSE FRIEND JUST GOT RID OF HIS LINCOLN AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RE…
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MOLD OR MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM ALL VENTS WHEN A/C, HEAT OR FAN IS USED. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 CARS AND UP AND CAN BE ELIMINATED BY SPRAYING LYSOL DIRECTLY INTO VENTS. I TRIED IT AND IT DOESN'T WORK. CLOSE FRIEND JUST GOT RID OF HIS LINCOLN AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED BY LINCOLN. LINCOLN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS MOST CERTAINLY A HEALTH ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET BY TROUBLED CONSUMERS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10221345
46,000 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Exterior LightingStructure
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED ON THE FIRST NIGHT DRIVE THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT(THE ONE AT THE TOP OF THE BACK WINDOW GLOWED BRIGHTLY OVER THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO THE REAR. WHEN IT RAINED AND THE BACK WINDOW WAS WET. THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN WORSE. UPON FEELING…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED ON THE FIRST NIGHT DRIVE THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT(THE ONE AT THE TOP OF THE BACK WINDOW GLOWED BRIGHTLY OVER THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO THE REAR. WHEN IT RAINED AND THE BACK WINDOW WAS WET. THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN WORSE. UPON FEELING AROUND THE LIGHT I DISCOVERED 3/4 INCH SPACE BETWEEN THE LIGHT AND THE GLASS THUS LETTING THE LIGHT SPILL OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER WHO AFTER EXAMINING IT SAID THEY WERE ALL LIKE THAT AND COULDN'T HELP ME. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD TO PUT DUCT TAPE AROUND IT TO STOP THE LIGHT BUT I KNOW THIS SUMMER WHEN SUN GETS ON IT THE TAPE WILL NOT STICK AND LEAVE GLUE RESIDUE. I CAN RAISE THE CEILING (AND LIGHT ) UP AND DOWN 3/4 OF AN INCH BUT THEY SAY THATS THE WAY THEY WERE BUILT. IT'S DANGEROUS. I HAD A MERCURY BEFORE AND YOU COULDN'T EVEN TELL WHEN THE 3RD LITE WAS ONL.
NHTSA ODI #10175329
12,100 miles · May 31, 2004
Structure
WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE LAST BEING MAY 17TH BY EMAIL. EVA WALKER BOUGHT A NEW LINCOLN TOWN CAR (CARTIER), SHE PAID CASH FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT HER FIRST LINCOLN. SINCE PURCHASE, MRS. WALKER HAS HAD HER VEHICLE IN TO SOUTHWEST LINCOLN-MERCURY, WEST POINT LINCOLN MERCURY, JACK ROAC…
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WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE LAST BEING MAY 17TH BY EMAIL. EVA WALKER BOUGHT A NEW LINCOLN TOWN CAR (CARTIER), SHE PAID CASH FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT HER FIRST LINCOLN. SINCE PURCHASE, MRS. WALKER HAS HAD HER VEHICLE IN TO SOUTHWEST LINCOLN-MERCURY, WEST POINT LINCOLN MERCURY, JACK ROACH FORD, AND CENTRAL FORD. EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY DO A REPAIR, BUT NO PAPER WORK IS EVER GIVEN AND THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED. THE CARTIER HAS AN AUTOMATIC OPEN AND CLOSE DECK LID. WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON THE DECK LID WOBBLES AND SHAKES BOTH GOING UP AND COMING DOWN, THIS HAS CAUSED THE PAINT IN THE UPPER RT PART OF THE BUMPER TO COME OFF DUE TO THE DECK LID HITTING AGAINST IT. MRS. WALKER HAS REQUESTED NUMEROUS TIMES AT DIFFERENT DEALERS TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE WITH F/L/M, BUT AS YET NO ONE HAS SHOWN THE COURTESY TO CALL HER. SHE HAS BEEN TOLD BY MORE THAN ONE DEALER THAT THERE IN NOT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM AND JUST TO "LIVE WITH IT". MRS. WALKER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH THAT ALL COMPONENTS ON THIS VEHICLE WERE WORKING AS DESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND BEING TOLD TO "LIVE WITH IT" IS UNACCEPTABLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COMPLAINT DOES NOT RANK UP THERE WITH SOME THAT ARE GIVEN, BUT TO AN 80+ YEAR OLD WOMAN, WHO HAS ONLY DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE 12,100 SINCE PURCHASE THIS IS A MAJOR DEAL. WE NEED SOME KIND OF HELP TO GET F/L/M TO STAND BEHIND WHAT THEY MAKE AND CONTACT US WITH A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. AS WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DEALERS IN OUR AREA, WE HAVE TRIED GOING THROUGH THE CHANNELS THEY REQUESTED FIRST. NOW WE WANT HELP GETTING ANSWERS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10074519
795 miles · Feb 11, 2004
Structure
WHEN VEHICLE ENGINE IS PRIMARILY COLD AND YOU BEGIN TO START IN DRIVE RANGE THERE IS A RATTLE/VIBRATION THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL STRIKING TOGETHER VERY RAPIDLY. NOISE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE/FIREWALL AREA. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT VERY CONSISTANT AT COLD. DEALER HAS INSTALLED EXHAUST BALANCERS, REPLACED LEFT CATALYTIC…
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WHEN VEHICLE ENGINE IS PRIMARILY COLD AND YOU BEGIN TO START IN DRIVE RANGE THERE IS A RATTLE/VIBRATION THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL STRIKING TOGETHER VERY RAPIDLY. NOISE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE/FIREWALL AREA. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT VERY CONSISTANT AT COLD. DEALER HAS INSTALLED EXHAUST BALANCERS, REPLACED LEFT CATALYTIC CONVERTER, REPLACED VALVE ASSY- THROTTLE, RATTLE KIT, NEUTRALIZED ENGINE MOUNTS. NOISE REMAINS BUT LESS PRONOUNCED. VERY IRRITATING FORA VEHICLE OF THIS PRICE THAT ONLY HAS 5600 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WORKED ON SINCE 5/14/03 VEHICLE PURCHASED FEBRUARY 2003. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GREAT, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057038
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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