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Newest filingsUnknown or Other
Filed Feb 12, 2025MI
To whom it may concern, i recently purchased a 2003 ford econoline e150 vin# [XXX] . from a private party in the state of michigan, im am being refused insurance because the van is coming up as incomplete , the van was sent and finished by Elk automotive Inc , on [XXX] MPV [XXX] they company that manufactured it ,gave it the same vin # [XXX] with completion date as [XXX] the identification sticker from Elk automotive is on the door jam and has been dot approved, i have the michigan title in my name , it says nothing about incomplete on title, but NHTSA website keeps popping up incomplete and my insurance provider wont insure it please contact me or help please. my name is [XXX] , [XXX] or by phone is [XXX] or, my email is : [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2018173,000 milesAZ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350 PULLING A 24-FOOTER AUTO TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO REDUCE SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT USED THE TRAILER BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE BRAKES IN 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER, AND PRESSURE PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL SOFT AND STILL ALMOST TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 10, 2017160,200 milesMN
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT ON A HIGHWAY RAMP IN TOWN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. AS I SAT WAITING, THE VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHILE THE BRAKES WERE STILL FULLY APPLIED! I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, JUST ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO SUDDEN AND FAST THAT MY FRONT TIRES LEFT SKID MARKS BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE FULLY APPLIED. I HAD BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL EARLIER ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT HAD DISENGAGED IT BEFORE GETTING INTO TOWN, WELL BEFORE THE RAMP TO THE STOPLIGHT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPEND WITH THIS VAN; HOWEVER, I ALSO OWN A 2001 FORD E350 VAN, AND BEFORE I STOPPED USING IT, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND REFUSING TO DISENGAGE. I HAVE REPORTED THESE INCIDENTS WITH BOTH OF MY VANS TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2015101,604 milesCO
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2015106,120 milesCO
SPARK PLUGBLOWNOUT OF HEAD. *TR
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2015108,458 milesCO
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 2015136,398 milesCO
SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR
Air BagsCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Dec 8, 2014MO
A PATIENT, 21 YEAR OLD AMBULANCE DRIVER, HAS BEEN TREATED HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI FROM 10/27/14 FOR INJURIES FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT, SUSTAINED WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE AMBULANCE SHE WAS DRIVING. HER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, PROTECTING HER APPROPRIATELY. HOWEVER, THERE IS A METAL DISC BENEATH THE AIRBAG ON THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH WAS QUITE HOT, AND AS SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE, SHE SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER CHEST AND TO HER CLOTHING. THE BURNS WERE THIRD DEGREE BURNS REQUIRING SURGERY, SMALL AREA, BUT WERE SIGNIFICANT BURNS. I AM UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE HOT DISC AT THE BASE OF THE AIRBAG IS THE RESULT OF A DEFECT, OR IF IT IS PART OF THE DESIGN. I AM NOTIFYING YOU SO YOU WILL BE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD, AND TO TRACK THE FREQUENCY OF THIS TYPE OF INJURY. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A DEATH AND ANOTHER INJURY IN THIS ACCIDENT, THEY WERE NOT RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE HOT DISC ON THE AIRBAG MECHANISM. THE AMBULANCE IS A 2003 FORD E-350. THIS WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Aug 26, 2013231,121 milesMD
THE FORD E-350 VAN BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER THEN STALLED ON MD ROUTE 43. THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY TO PULL OF THE ROAD WAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES THEN DROVE ANOTHER 2 MILES UNTIL IT STALLED AGAIN. AAA TOWED THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED. THE FUEL TANK WAS FOUND TO BE DELAMINATING AND CLOGGING THE FUEL LINES WITH SILVER STRANDS OF COATING FROM INSIDE THE TANK. A NEW TANK IS BEING ORDERED AND INSTALLED ALONG WITH CLEANING THE FUEL SYSTEM. VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO WARNING. THIS 15 PASSENGER VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM TO PREVENT A DISASTER. MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE USED AS SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION WHICH WOULD MULTIPLY THE TRAGEDY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Tires
Filed Jun 3, 201353,800 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN KO TIRES, SIZE LT285-75R16, DOT PFYUUJ11. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE DRIVER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53, 8000.
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Apr 18, 2013102,375 milesCA
LOST POWER. FILTER HEAVILY PLUGGED PARTICULATE. DROPPED TANK. BOTTOM OF TANK HAS 1/2" SILVERY FLAKES. FUEL PICK-UP SCREEN PLUGGED. BOILED AND REINSTALLED TANK. FUEL PUMP FAILURE ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER. NEW PUMP. AT 149000 MILE, NEW TANK AND MAY NEED NEW PUMP. TANK WAS DELAMINATING. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 31, 2012189,500 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND PREVENT HIM FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DELAMINATING AND CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK AND TRANSFER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 29, 2011MD
2003 FORD CUTAWAY VAN WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CENTER OF DASH. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. SMOKE CONTINUED AND FLAMES BEGAN TO CONSUME VEHICLE UNTIL ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY HVAC SWITCH FAILURES(MELTING OF SWITCH AND OR HARNESS CONNECTOR) AND NOTICE VERY HOT WIRES TO THE SWITCH AT TIMES. FLEET CONTAINS 85 FORD E350 VEHICLES AND THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN A COMMON FAILURE. *TT
Steering
Filed Sep 27, 201139,895 milesVA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED A BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS DEFECT ALSO CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FAIL, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,895 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,395.
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Sep 8, 2011100,000 milesOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS DETERIORATING WHICH CLOGGED UP THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING UP HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WERE CLOGGED UP. THE MECHANIC WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FOR OVER $1000 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HIM TO CONTACT NHTSA SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO INFORMED HIM THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. LOW SULFUR DIESEL CAUSES FUEL TANK LINING TO BREAK DOWN. PARTICLES FROM THIS LINING CLOGS UP EVERYTHING DOWN STREAM. FUEL PUMP FILTER CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE AND A THREAT ON ROAD WAYS. UPDATED 11/01/2011 *LN *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 7, 201023,000 milesFL
FAILURE OF FUEL VAPOR VALVE ASSEMBLY PART #F65Z*9B593*DA. GAS VAPORS BUILD UP IN TANK AND ARE RELEASED UNDER PRESSURE WHEN GAS CAP REMOVED FOR REFUELING. VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY WITH NO WARNING LIGHT FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS OR MORE BEFORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY UNDER THE CORRECT CONDITIONS THESE VAPORS COULD IGNITE AT GAS PUMP WHEN REFUELING. I HAVE COMPLETE RECORDS OF LETTERS, PHONE CALLS AND VISITS TO FORD DEALERSHIP, ALSO DEFECTIVE VALVE WAS SENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND RETURNED TO ME WITH A LETTER SAYING IN PART "RETURNING PART AS WE DO NOT HAVE FACILITIES FOR INSPECTING OR EVALUATION" I WAS ALSO INFORMED MY REQUEST WITH SERVICE MANAGER AT GATOR FORD TO MEET WITH MYSELF AND REP. FROM FORD IS NOT POSSIBLE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND WELL MAINTAINED. PARTS LETTERS AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER WILL BE PROVIDED FROM ME AT YOUR REQUEST. CORDIALLY YOURS, DANIEL TRZASKA
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 8, 201097,000 milesOR
HAVE A 2003 FORD E-350 VAN CNG GAS CONVERSION. AT 97,000 MILES A SPARK PLUG BLEW COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND BROKE OFF THE IGNITION COIL THAT WAS BOLTED TO THE HEAD. THE CNG GAS COULD HAVE POSSIBLY IGNITED AND CAUSED A FIRE SINCE THE FUEL WAS STILL BEING SENT TO THAT PARTICULAR CYLINDER AND THE SPARK WAS STILL SPARKING EVENTHOUGH IT WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE HOLE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE UNTIL I RESEARCHED IT AFTER IT OCCURRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON IN FORD ENGINES THAT ARE 5.4 LITER. THE REPAIR IS AROUND $2500. TO PULL THE ENGINE AND REPAIR THE HEAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF WE HAD CONTINUE DRIVING THE VAN. THIS OCCURRED 9/27/2010. *TR
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Sep 1, 201078,000 milesOH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V069000, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS NEEDED WERE ON BACK ORDER. THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,079.
Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 11, 201098,000 milesNC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK LINING CAME OFF CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO RUST, CLOGGING THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL INJECTORS. THE FUEL ENTERING THE INJECTORS WAS MINIMAL WHICH MADE THE TRUCK VERY HARD TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A CLOGGED INJECTOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ONE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED FOR $970 WHICH CAUSE THE IDENTICAL FAILURE TO RECUR. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Feb 26, 2010106,000 milesPA
FUEL LEAKS IN 7.3L AND 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES IN FORD E-350 AMBULANCES. WE HAVE HAD 4 FAILURES OF THE FUEL FILTER MOUNTING WHICH HAVE CRACKED AND RESULTED IN FUEL LEAKS. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT OUR EXPENSE WITH SIGNIFICANT DOWN TIME. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN AVERAGING ABOUT $900.00 FOR EACH AMBULANCE. THERE ARE NO TSB OR RECALLS ACCORDING TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. BUT PARTS ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *TR
20 of 46 complaints, reproduced as filed.