NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
83 reports90,000 miles · Mar 16, 2011
Unknown Or Other
THE FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES, ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE INTERNAL DOOR OPENING MECHANISM, CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION, AND DO NOT WORK. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY ROLLING DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW AND PULLING THE OUTER LATCH. FORD SERVICE CENTERS CAN NO LONGER PROCURE THE P…
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THE FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES, ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE INTERNAL DOOR OPENING MECHANISM, CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION, AND DO NOT WORK. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY ROLLING DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW AND PULLING THE OUTER LATCH. FORD SERVICE CENTERS CAN NO LONGER PROCURE THE PART (THE DOOR TRIM PANEL) TO DO THE REPAIR AS FORD HAS DISCONTINUED MANUFACTURING THEM AND HAS NO MORE IN STOCK. ANOTHER REPORT OF THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE, AND IT APPEARS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM THAT LEAD FORD TO RECALL THE 2008 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 2004 LINCOLN. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL FINDING THE PART IN THE AFTERMARKET. IT IS THE ENTIRE TRIM PANEL SOLD AS ONE PIECE. SINCE THE FORD SERVICE CENTER CANNOT REPAIR THE DOOR WITHOUT THE PART, I HAVE RESORTED TO REMOVING THE DOOR PANEL, RESETTING THE HANDLE, AND DRILLING SCREWS THROUGH THE PANEL TO HELP HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE IN PLACE SO THAT IT WILL OPEN THE DOOR AND NOT BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE MECHANISM. BUT THIS HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY, THE ENTIRE PLASTIC HOLDING THE HANDLE IN PLACE HAS BROKEN LOOSE, AND ONLY WORKS NOW WHEN I TREAT THE HANDLE IN A VERY DELICATE AND AWKWARD MANNER. I FEAR THAT DURING A FIRE OR CRASH I OR A PASSENGER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO ESCAPE. SINCE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THE FORD SERVICE CENTER CANNOT PERFORM THE REPAIR. HAVING SEEN HOW THE MECHANISM WORKS, I AM NOT COMPLETELY CONFIDENT THAT THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS SUFFICIENT TO HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE IN PLACE OVER TIME, AND THAT A REPLACEMENT PART MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT.
NHTSA ODI #10391929
30,000 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT'S FOOT BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS ABLE TO DISLODGE HIS FOOT BUT WHEN DOING SO, THE BRAKE PEDAL COVER DETACHED FROM THE PEDAL ITSELF. THE DEALER WOULD NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT'S FOOT BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS ABLE TO DISLODGE HIS FOOT BUT WHEN DOING SO, THE BRAKE PEDAL COVER DETACHED FROM THE PEDAL ITSELF. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED BECAUSE HE DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000. UPDATED 10/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10
NHTSA ODI #10345718
80,000 miles · Apr 23, 2010
Wheels
WHEELS CORRODING CAUSING TIRE TO DEFLATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327211
98,709 miles · Apr 20, 2010
SuspensionVisibilityWheels
2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD LOUD CABIN NOISE, THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE OUTSIDE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR WINDOW AND A SPECIALIST WAS BROUGHT IN TWO DAYS LATER TO ALIGN THE WINDOW. CABIN NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AT …
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2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD LOUD CABIN NOISE, THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE OUTSIDE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR WINDOW AND A SPECIALIST WAS BROUGHT IN TWO DAYS LATER TO ALIGN THE WINDOW. CABIN NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AT 98,709 MILES. AS PER THE WINDOW THAT WAS ALIGN, IT IS NOW THE ONLY WINDOW THAT YOU CAN OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326554
70,000 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE PASSENGER LOOKED DOWN TO SEE IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND IT WASN'T. THE CONTACT PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AFTER APPLYING EXTREME PRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE PASSENGER LOOKED DOWN TO SEE IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND IT WASN'T. THE CONTACT PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AFTER APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE GEAR SHIFT HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DULPICATE THE FAILURE. THE APRROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70000.
NHTSA ODI #10321047
30,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WE OWNED A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WE DROVE THAT CAR THAT EVENING, PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AT 10:45PM AND WENT TO BED. AT 3:30AM, WE WERE AWOKEN BY POLICE BREAKING OUR DOOR DOWN AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF OUR GARAGE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FROM THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE TOWN CAR HAD NO HOOD AFTER THE …
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WE OWNED A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WE DROVE THAT CAR THAT EVENING, PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AT 10:45PM AND WENT TO BED. AT 3:30AM, WE WERE AWOKEN BY POLICE BREAKING OUR DOOR DOWN AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF OUR GARAGE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FROM THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE TOWN CAR HAD NO HOOD AFTER THE FIRE, 2 OTHER VEHICLES WERE ALSO DESTROYED. OUR HOME ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE AND APPROXIMATELY 100% OF OUR CONTENTS AND 50% OF OUR HOME WAS DESTROYED. LUCKILY, NOONE WAS INJURED.THE TOWN CAR ENGINE WAS BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION, SO THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH PART WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER THE INSURANCE CO, (AMERICAN FAMILY INVESTIGATORS) DETERMINED IT HAD DEFINITELY STARTED FROM THE LINCOLN . THEY STATED THAT WE CANNOT PROVE TO FORD WHICH PART IS DEFECTIVE SO IT WAS NOT REPORTED TO FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284045
100,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
SteeringCrashInjury
2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF CAR, JUST LIKE DRIVING ON BLACK ICE. WHILE DRIVING MAKING A RIGHT HAND MERGE, STEERING GOT STUCK FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO CORRECT THE CAR WAS GOING ONE WAY WHILE THE DRIVER WAS STEERING ANOTHER. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT…
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2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF CAR, JUST LIKE DRIVING ON BLACK ICE. WHILE DRIVING MAKING A RIGHT HAND MERGE, STEERING GOT STUCK FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO CORRECT THE CAR WAS GOING ONE WAY WHILE THE DRIVER WAS STEERING ANOTHER. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE WALL TOTALING THE CAR AND PUTTING 5 PEOPLE INTO THE ER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283952
112,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10274611
28,000 miles · Aug 26, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH INTO A GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SURGED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO THE FOUNDATION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE S…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH INTO A GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SURGED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO THE FOUNDATION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGES. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY REGARDING THE DAMAGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10239773
75,000 miles · Aug 4, 2008
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE ACTIVATES THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, HE HEARS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE IN THE MOTOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE ACTIVATES THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, HE HEARS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE IN THE MOTOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10236853
NHTSA investigations
1DP05005 · 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.
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