2003 Ford F-150 NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA F-150 Defect Investigations
The following investigations on the Ford F-150 have been announced by the ODI. Interested in how this information is collected? Read more about investigations by the NHTSA.
Recent 2003 F-150 Investigations
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SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD Defect Investigation for the 2003 F-150
Vehicle Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine*
Summary: 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.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP05005 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on January 04 2006 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 6 related vehicle components.
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Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion Defect Investigation for the 2003 F-150
Vehicle Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly*
Summary: One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and fail (break or separate). If one strap fails, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface. If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road. If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline can spill. When the tank drops, it remains attached to the vehicle only by the fuel filler hose and/or supply lines, or in rare instances, by the skid plate, if present. In some cases the weight of the tank sufficiently strained the hoses and fittings and caused separation and subsequent fuel leaks from those connections. The fire hazard created by leaking gasoline is increased by the possible presence of sparks created by the metal tank being dragged along the road. Corrosion of the straps appears to be caused by prolonged exposure to road deicers, frequently road salt, used to treat snow or ice covered roads. States in which large quantities of deicers are applied to roads during the winter season ("salt belt states") account for the predominant portion of strap failures. Vehicles in these salt belt states are prone to experience corrosion related failures more frequently and earlier in a vehicle-€™s life cycle. Ford reports approximately 97 percent of reports it received relating to strap failure involve vehicles that were operated in these high corrosion areas, and 95 percent of the reports to NHTSA involved such vehicles. Approximately one-third of F-150 U. S. production was sold in salt belt states. ODI has included in the above counts reports it has received from consumers and reports it has received from Ford in which either the complaint involved confirmed strap corrosion or ODI's assessment of available information suggests corrosion caused the reported problem. Among the incidents reported to NHTSA, 441 involved one or both straps failing due to corrosion, 353 involved the fuel tank dropping and/or dragging on the ground, and 180 involved fuel leakage. ODI has received four reports of strap failure in which the leaking fuel ignited but self-extinguished, and one incident in which fire destroyed the vehicle and injured its driver. Ford reported the same injury incident and three other unique fire incidents, including two in which the leaking fuel ignited and fire destroyed the vehicle. There were no injuries associated with the three unique Ford incidents. Ford has agreed to conduct a recall to repair the subject vehicles. The recall will cover vehicles that were originally sold or are currently registered in salt belt states (regardless of vehicle age). The vehiclesincluded in the recall are those subject vehicles that are, or have ever been, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or the District of Columbia. Ford's recall action appears to adequately address the problem at this time. The above vehicle population (1,340,349) includes subject vehicles originally delivered or sold in salt belt states. ODI does not know the current or historical locations of all subject vehicles. According to Ford approximately 73% of the recall population is currently registered (a 27% attrition rate). Ford is also recalling certain MY 1997-1999 F-250 vehicles (under 8,500 gvwr), and MY2002-2003 Lincoln blackwood vehicles for the same condition, resulting in an estimated 1.1 million total vehicles covered by the recall (see safety recall 11V-385 for further details).
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA11006 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on August 19 2011 and there was a recall ordered: #11V385000
* This defect investigation is filed under 4 related vehicle components.
CNG REGULATOR LEAK Defect Investigation for the 2003 F-150
Vehicle Component: Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings*
Summary: The Agency has closed this investigation based on its review of complaint reports, discussions with complainants and field and technical data provided by Ford. The subject vehicles are 1/2 ton pickup trucks and are natural gas vehicles (ngv) that are fueled by gasoline or compressed natural gas. The Agency has received reports alleging improper operation of the natural gas fuel pressure regulator allowing release of excess amounts of natural gas into the engine compartment. Ford reports that the regulator contains an over pressure relief valve that will vent natural gas should the pressure exceed a set threshold. The complaint reports and data reviewed by the Agency indicate that an improperly operating pressure regulator can result in an overpressure condition and activate the regulator pressure relief valve. The released natural gas is directed through a vent hose that discharges the natural gas in the vicinity of the right front wheel house and away from the engine compartment's extremely hot areas/surfaces. Owners are normally aware of this problem by the presence of an illuminated warning light inside the vehicle, odor of natural gas or the sound of venting gas. When the operator turns the engine off, the natural gas supply tank solenoid will close and the regulator will not release natural gas. At vehicle restart, the solenoid valve will remain closed to prevent leakage and the vehicle will only operate in the gasoline mode. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and 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 monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE08063 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on February 27 2009 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 4 related vehicle components.