NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP05005

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

CLOSED

no recall issued

** This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS -- 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 #SQ01014

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage

RECALL »

Recall #02I003000

1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS -- Allege fuel tank can rupture following a high-energy rear collision resulting in severe fires. Investigation was initiated on November 27 2001. Closed on October 03 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #SQ01014 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP02007

FUEL-FED FIRES: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

CLOSED

no recall issued

1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS -- The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans. The subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes. A further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this petition. After reviewing the petition and its supporting materials, as well as information furnished by Ford and GM, and information within the Agency's possession from previous investigations and other related actions,NHTSA has concluded that futher investigation concerning post-crash fires in the subject vehicles is not likely to lead to a decision that the vehicles contain a safety defect. Investigation was initiated on August 22 2002. Closed on December 04 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP02007 »