NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
201 reports46,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT TRIED OPENING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE LATCH ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE LATCH WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT TRIED OPENING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE LATCH ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN THAT THE LATCH WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #10368524
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
69,444 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS OIL LEAKING ONTO THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEEL B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS OIL LEAKING ONTO THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEEL BEARINGS, AXLE SHAFT AND SEALS WHICH WERE ALL REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,944 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,672. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 04/20/11
NHTSA ODI #10360689
91,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY STATED THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS WERE REPLACED . THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY STATED THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS WERE REPLACED . THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 04V328000 SUSPENSION:REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE HE VEHICLE WAS BUILT AT THE SAME PLANT DURING THE SPECIFIC PERIOD OF THE RECALL. UPDATED 01/04/11*JB
NHTSA ODI #10355775
93,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
SeatsSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AS HE BEGAN TO HEAR AN UNUSUAL THUMPING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN REGARD TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 0…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AS HE BEGAN TO HEAR AN UNUSUAL THUMPING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN REGARD TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT INDEPENDENTLY SLID BACKWARD TO THE END OF THE MOUNTING TRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE SEAT FAILURE. BOTH FAILURES CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10355212
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THREE (3) INCIDENTS: TWO OF WHICH OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN; WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR SUDDENLY JUMPED INTO PASSING GEAR WITHOUT WARNING! ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AS I WAS PUTTING…
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WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THREE (3) INCIDENTS: TWO OF WHICH OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN; WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR SUDDENLY JUMPED INTO PASSING GEAR WITHOUT WARNING! ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AS I WAS PUTTING THE CAR INTO MY GARAGE. AGAIN, IT RAPIDLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY GARAGE (RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY BRICK HOME)! AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS; AT WHICH TIME THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THEY HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353124
60,000 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, HE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY BUT TO NO AVAIL. SUDDENLY, THE GEAR SELEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, HE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY HIGH INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY BUT TO NO AVAIL. SUDDENLY, THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION IN WHICH THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES OR PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10345658
74,842 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL RELEVANT TO THE FAILURE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL RELEVANT TO THE FAILURE AND INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,842 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,920.
NHTSA ODI #10343407
54,230 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AXLE SHAFT SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AXLE SHAFT SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED HIM A 20% DISCOUNT OFF OF THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,230.
NHTSA ODI #10327511
42,245 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WITHOUT A WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN . HE THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT WORK UNTIL HE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WITHOUT A WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN . HE THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT WORK UNTIL HE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41598. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42245 UPDATED 3/30/10 *CN UPDATED 08/18/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10313769
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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