NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA05005

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES: Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood**

RECALL »

Recall #07V078000

** This defect investigation is filed under 42 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD F-150 -- EA05-005 is closed with Ford¿S actions in recalls 05V-017, 05V-388, and 06V-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with Texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of 1998 Explorers.Ford has informed ODI that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 Explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.ODI believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in Ford¿S recalls.ODI will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the Agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details. Investigation was initiated on March 22 2005. Closed on August 02 2006. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA05005 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP05005

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine**

CLOSED

no recall issued

** This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
1998 FORD F150 -- 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. Investigation was initiated on September 22 2005. Closed on January 04 2006. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP05005 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE01033

STEERING COLUMN: Steering

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 FORD F150 -- Alleged that a loss of mechanical connection between the steering column intermediate shaft and the steering gear input shaft results in complete loss of steering control Investigation was initiated on September 17 2001. Closed on February 06 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE01033 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE98024

TIE ROD END FAILURES: Steering

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 FORD F150 -- Alleged tie rod end separates from the adjustment sleeve compropision steering control Investigation was initiated on April 21 1998. Closed on July 21 1998. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE98024 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE99019

SPARE TIRE WEAR: Structure

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 FORD F150 -- Alleged that the spare tire on the vehicle is lifted and secured under the bed of the truck by acable lift. Investigation was initiated on March 04 1999. Closed on July 27 1999. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE99019 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP99002

SPARE TIRE MOUNTING: Structure

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 FORD F150 -- Alleges that the spare tire mounting places the tire sidewall directly in contact with the metal undercariage causing wear and damage of the sidewall. Investigation was initiated on March 02 1999. Closed on March 17 1999. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP99002 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #RQ98022

REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE: Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly

OPEN

possible recall

1998 FORD F150 -- The rear suspension springs may break and splay inward, damaging the fuel tank Investigation was initiated on November 13 1998. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ98022 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE99047

BLOW BACK DURING REFUELING: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 FORD F150 -- The owner report was received from the state of New York, office of general services (ogs).according to the ogs report, four E-350 vans in its thirteen vehicle fleet experienced the problem.the report stated that in each instance large amounts of fuel were released in an"explosive" manner (in one instance it is reported that an entire tank of fuel was exhausted into the atmosphere).also according to ogs, Ford has ivestigated and reported that the vehicles have a defective fuel filler pipe chech-valve and that the problem has alsobeen reported in CNG Crown Victoria and F-150 pickkjp trucks. Investigation was initiated on July 12 1999. Closed on September 23 1999. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE99047 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA98018

ALLEGED LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 FORD F150 -- Alleged that the floor mat on driver's side may become mispositioned and interfere with proper operation of the throttle pedal, potentially resulting in a compromise to vehicle control Investigation was initiated on August 31 1998. Closed on September 30 1999. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA98018 »