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2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 117.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

60 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports12 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

123 reports
117,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH HOUSING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. ..UPDATED 09/29…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH HOUSING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. ..UPDATED 09/29/11 *BF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10419202

70,000 miles · Jul 2, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 70K MILES. IT HAS AN AOD TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN I WOULD HIT THE GAS TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE SUV FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM SO I HAD THEM FIL…

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I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 70K MILES. IT HAS AN AOD TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN I WOULD HIT THE GAS TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE SUV FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM SO I HAD THEM FILL THE FLUID. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY IT STARTED GOING THROUGH FLUID AND AT AROUND 85K MILES IT SLOWLY STARTED HAVING THE SHIFTING PROBLEMS AGAIN. NOW IT HARDLY SHIFT AT ALL. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE 2000'S TRANSMISSIONS FOR BOTH THE MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND FORD EXPLORERS. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE MANY TIMES WHERE I WAS MERGING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ONLY TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION FAIL TO ENGAGE AND I'VE ALMOST BEEN BROADSIDED BY THE ONCOMING CAR. HERE IS A WEBSITE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AND HELP US GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410296

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BECAME ENGULFED INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WITH NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BECAME ENGULFED INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WITH NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10363579

85,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Power Train

CAR WAS IN PARK - AFTER RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE - I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHAFT BROKE OFF - COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN GEAR - VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354323

59,976 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Power Train

2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION FAILURE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 64,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN POWER FLUSHED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WITH NO CORRECTION, WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS SHIFT FLARE, WITH THE O/D LIGHT FLASHING IS COMMON WITH ALL 5R55E TRANSMISSIONS WITH 4.0L V6 ENGINES. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE BEST TO REPL…

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2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION FAILURE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 64,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN POWER FLUSHED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WITH NO CORRECTION, WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS SHIFT FLARE, WITH THE O/D LIGHT FLASHING IS COMMON WITH ALL 5R55E TRANSMISSIONS WITH 4.0L V6 ENGINES. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE BEST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A FACTORY REMANUFACTURED UNIT, RATHER THAN TRY TO REPAIR THE OLD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2500.00 TO $3000.00 DOLLARS. WE ARE NOW TO A POINT WHERE WE CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY GREAT DISTANCE OTHER THAN RIGHT AROUND TOWN. ASSISTANCE FROM FORD WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED THIS VEHICLE IS THE FOURTH FORD PRODUCT WE HAVE OWNED, WE NOW HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT OUR 2005 F150 4X4 SUPERCREW WE USE TO PULL OUR 26' TRAVEL TRAILER APPROX 4860LBS. OUR VEHICLE IS IN WONDERFUL CONDITION AND WE DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF IT, THE MANUFACTURE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND HELP ALL THE LOYAL FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE BELIEVED IN THERE PRODUCTS FOR MANY YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302016

70,104 miles · Jan 13, 2010
Power Train

2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299684

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2009
Power Train

JUST BOUGHT A USED 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THIS MORNING WE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN AND STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE OF BEING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND TRIED AGAIN TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. LOOKED UP ON GOOGLE AND NOW FIN…

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JUST BOUGHT A USED 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THIS MORNING WE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND IT IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN AND STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE OF BEING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND TRIED AGAIN TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. LOOKED UP ON GOOGLE AND NOW FIND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INHERITED PROBLEM THAT FORD IS NOT ADDRESSING. WHAT IS OUR RECOURSE ON THIS MATTER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280307

125,780 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Structure

NO SINGLE EVENT LED TO THE FAILURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE REAR LIFT DOOR OF THE MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE MOUNTING PLATES FOR THE REAR DOOR HINGES HAVE FAILED. NOTE THAT THE HINGES HAVE NOT FAILED. THE FAILURE IS IN THE MOUNTING POINT IN THE DOOR. ONE SIDE HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH AND THE OTHE…

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NO SINGLE EVENT LED TO THE FAILURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE REAR LIFT DOOR OF THE MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE MOUNTING PLATES FOR THE REAR DOOR HINGES HAVE FAILED. NOTE THAT THE HINGES HAVE NOT FAILED. THE FAILURE IS IN THE MOUNTING POINT IN THE DOOR. ONE SIDE HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH AND THE OTHER SIDE HAS PARTIALLY CRACKED. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IF BOTH MOUNT POINTS FAIL THERE WILL NOT BE ANY THING HOLDING THE TOP OF THE REAR LIFT DOOR. THE DOOR COULD THEREFORE SEPARATE FROM THE CAR AND FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. IF THE MOUNT POINTS FAIL, THE ONLY ITEMS HOLDING THE DOOR WOULD BE THE SIDE LIFT CYLINDERS. THESE CYLINDERS WOULD NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO KEEP THE DOOR ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED 2 DAYS AGO. ACTIONS TAKEN SO FAR ARE LIMITED TO GETTING ESTIMATES TO FIX PROBLEM. MERCURY DEALER REPRESENTATIVE WAS NOT HELPFUL SINCE VEHICLE IS A 2000 MOUNTAINEER AND NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. HIS RESPONSE WAS LIMITED TO SAYING HE HAD NEVER SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND GIVING ME THE NAME OF A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IF THE HINGE MOUNTS FAIL COMPLETELY AND THE DOOR FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, A MAJOR ACCIDENT MIGHT RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278452

138,000 miles · Mar 19, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

FIRE UNDER HOOD WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE ENGINE, WIRING, BATTERY, FRONT TIRES, ALL RUBBER PARTS, BELTS DESTROYED. LOOKS TO BE TOTALED/BURT BEYOND REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262435

30,000 miles · Mar 16, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES, SIZE P/235/75/R15. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. HE TOOK THE TIRES TO A TIRE REPAIR SHOP AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INNER SIDEWALL WAS SEPARATING ON ALL FOUR TIRES…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES, SIZE P/235/75/R15. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. HE TOOK THE TIRES TO A TIRE REPAIR SHOP AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INNER SIDEWALL WAS SEPARATING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE OLD ONES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,140.

NHTSA ODI #10261981

Official recalls

6

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

03V280000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Aug 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V281000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Aug 5, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V228001 · Seat Belts

Aug 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V179000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jul 5, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A REVISED LEVEL SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT COULD DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAG IF THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "RUN" POSITION AND THE SEATBELT WEBBING IS FORCIBLY EXTRACTED FROM A LOCKED RETRACTOR WITH A JERKING MOTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN UNEXPECTED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

00V072000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Mar 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP05005 · 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.

PE03020 · Front Seat Back Recliner Attachment

Opened May 21, 2003 · Closed Sep 5, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 4, 2003, FORD NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 03V281) INVOLVING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2001 FORD EXPLORER / MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4-DOOR, MY 1998-2000 FORD EXPLORER 2-DOOR AND MY 2001-2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT AND SPORT TRAC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.A BOLT BETWEEN THE UPPER SEAT RECLINER ATTACHMENT AND THE SEAT BACK FRAME MAY FRACTURE.FORD WILL REPLACE THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT.BASED ON FORD'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.