NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
81 reportsClear category filter41,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CARTIER. THE REAR AXLES SUDDENLY BECAME WORN AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISE INDICATORS THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR TO HIM. A MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE BEARINGS AND AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR IS RELATED T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CARTIER. THE REAR AXLES SUDDENLY BECAME WORN AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISE INDICATORS THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR TO HIM. A MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE BEARINGS AND AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB THE REAR AXLES SHAFTS AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10266526
87,907 miles · Mar 17, 2009
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT LINCOLN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT LINCOLN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,907. UPDATED 04/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10262167
51,863 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SEAL FAILED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SEAL FAILED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND STUB AXLE WERE DEFECTIVE, WHICH WAS THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE SEAL FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID HAD TO BE REFILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEALER AND MECHANIC WERE NOT NOTIFIED. IN JANUARY OF 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHIRPING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE ROTORS, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BALL JOINTS WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE AXLES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH OF THE REAR END AXLES AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS. HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT HAS THE PARTS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IN HIS POSSESSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,131 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,863. UPDATED 2/5/09 *CN UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10254402
49,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE NOISE GREW LOUDER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED TWICE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE NOISE GREW LOUDER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED TWICE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW HOW HE CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TWO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,915. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN UPDATED 01/09/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10251055
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
55,000 miles · Oct 3, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE REAR BEARINGS ON HIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS ALSO AN AXLE SHIFT FRACTURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REGARDING THE FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THESE FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE REAR BEARINGS ON HIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS ALSO AN AXLE SHIFT FRACTURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REGARDING THE FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THESE FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10244304
59,000 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD HUMMING NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT A TIRE WAS OUT OF ROUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE THE HUMMING NOISES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD HUMMING NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT A TIRE WAS OUT OF ROUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE THE HUMMING NOISES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS POTENTIALLY THE REAR AXLE BEARING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,706 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #10231428
66,745 miles · May 21, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED GREASE ON THE WHEELS AND TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT BEARINGS, AXLES, AND REAR BRAKES WERE NEEDED. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V32800…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED GREASE ON THE WHEELS AND TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT BEARINGS, AXLES, AND REAR BRAKES WERE NEEDED. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,745. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE SOAKED WITH OIL. UPDATED 06/09/08
NHTSA ODI #10228546
88,257 miles · Mar 7, 2008
Suspension
THE REAR BEARING ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FAILED. I WENT TO THE RECALL SITE AND FOUND THAT PROBLEM WAS ON THE LIST FOR THAT MODEL AND YEAR. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN MY HAVING HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE BEARING, SEAL AND SHAFT AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD; THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY …
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THE REAR BEARING ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FAILED. I WENT TO THE RECALL SITE AND FOUND THAT PROBLEM WAS ON THE LIST FOR THAT MODEL AND YEAR. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN MY HAVING HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE BEARING, SEAL AND SHAFT AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD; THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL AND I WAS OBLIGATED TO PAY THE FULL COST OF THOSE REPAIRS. OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER ALL VINS IN THAT MODEL YEAR AS THE DEFECTIVE OEM PARTS WERE THE SAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220341
78,000 miles · Feb 13, 2008
Suspension
RECALL# 04V328000 REAR AXLE BEARING FAILURE. CALLED FORD AND THEY BLEW ME OFF SAYING IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN#. AND HUNG UP. THEY COULD NOT EVEN FIND THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217914
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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