Rolls-Royce Incident Report

The scope of this analysis covers five distinct Rolls-Royce models: the Ghost, Phantom, Silver Spirit, Silver Spur, and Wraith. The methodology involves organizing each reported issue by the specific vehicle system affected. To ensure data fidelity and provide unfiltered context for engineering teams, the verbatim text of each consumer complaint is presented alongside its corresponding identification number.

This introduction serves as a precursor to the detailed, model-specific findings that form the core of this assessment.

2.0 Model-Specific Issue Analysis

A model-by-model breakdown is essential for identifying potential patterns of failure that may be unique to specific vehicle architectures, components, or manufacturing eras. This section provides a granular view of the reported issues for each of the five models under review, creating a foundational dataset for subsequent analysis.

2.1 Rolls-Royce Ghost

The following issues have been reported for the Rolls-Royce Ghost:

Reported Issues for the Rolls-Royce Ghost | System Affected | Complaint ID | Complaint Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1480456 | TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. | | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1480455 | TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. |

2.2 Rolls-Royce Phantom

The following issues have been reported for the Rolls-Royce Phantom:

Reported Issues for the Rolls-Royce Phantom | System Affected | Complaint ID | Complaint Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1068557 | THE HOOD WARNING LIGHT KEEPS SAYING HOOD IS OPEN PULL OVER. WHEN STOPPED ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF. | | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 811638 | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ROLLS ROYCE PHANTOM COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ADDED FUEL THE NOZZLE BECAME STUCK IN THE TANK. | | STRUCTURE | 1068558 | THE HOOD WARNING LIGHT KEEPS SAYING HOOD IS OPEN PULL OVER. WHEN STOPPED ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF. | | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1736893 | 2014 I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM PAUL MILLER ROLLS ROYCE IN NEW JERSEY. 2016 THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW FRACTURED ON ITS OWN. |

2.3 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

The following issue has been reported for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit:

Reported Issues for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit | System Affected | Complaint ID | Complaint Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1704671 | BECAUSE OF A RUBBER HOSE THAT FEEDS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK BEHIND BACK SEAT, (VERY POOR DESIGN) HOSE BEGAN LEAKING 24 GALLONS OF GAS WHILE PARKED INSIDE OF GARAGE WHICH IS INSIDE OF MY HOUSE AND NEARLY BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO TRY AND MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T IGNITE-INVESTIGATED AND THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DESIGN OF IT. |

2.4 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

The following issues have been reported for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur:

Reported Issues for the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur | System Affected | Complaint ID | Complaint Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 898155 | TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ROLL ROYCE SILVER SPUR; LONG WHEEL BASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK (FIVE INCIDENTS) OR DRIVE (THREE INCIDENTS). | | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | 898156 | TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ROLL ROYCE SILVER SPUR; LONG WHEEL BASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK (FIVE INCIDENTS) OR DRIVE (THREE INCIDENTS). | | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1839298 | The contact owns a 1986 Rolls Royce Silver Spur. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal the vehicle would not slow. | | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1839301 | The contact owns a 1987 Rolls Royce Silver Spur. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle would not slow. | | TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 593851 | TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED VEHICLE DAMAGE. *JB. |

2.5 Rolls-Royce Wraith

The following issue, documented in two separate complaints, has been reported for the Rolls-Royce Wraith:

Reported Issues for the Rolls-Royce Wraith | System Affected | Complaint ID | Complaint Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1673424 | THE BACKUP CAMERA SYSTEM DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING IN REVERSE CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AND BREACHING COMPLIANCE RULE FMVSS 111 (SPECIFICALLY SECTION 5. 5. | | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1673496 | THE BACKUP CAMERA SYSTEM DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING IN REVERSE CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AND BREACHING COMPLIANCE RULE FMVSS 111 (SPECIFICALLY SECTION 5. 5. |

Having detailed the specific issues reported for each model, the following section synthesizes these findings into broader thematic categories.

3.0 Cross-Model Thematic Summary

While model-specific data is crucial for targeted investigations, synthesizing themes across the entire dataset reveals broader risk categories that may warrant prioritized attention from safety and engineering teams. The reported issues can be grouped into three primary areas of concern.

• Critical Safety Failures This category includes incidents that pose a direct and immediate threat to vehicle occupants, other road users, or property. The most severe reports fall under this theme, such as the catastrophic fuel leak in the Silver Spirit, which resulted in "leaking 24 gallons of gas while parked inside of my house." The complainant notes that responding fire department personnel investigated the cause and "could not believe the design of it," suggesting a potential design flaw. Similarly, multiple complaints for the Silver Spur describe a complete failure of the hydraulic service brakes while driving. Additional critical failures include a tire tread separation on a Silver Spur and the failure of the backup camera system on the Wraith. This latter issue represents not merely a component malfunction but a documented breach of federal safety regulations (FMVSS 111), exposing the manufacturer to potential regulatory action.
• Core Drivetrain and Operational Malfunctions This theme consolidates issues related to the fundamental operation of the vehicle's powertrain. The most prominent example is from the Silver Spur, for which multiple complaints describe an inability to shift the automatic transmission out of Park or Drive. Such a failure, while not as immediately catastrophic as a brake failure, can render a vehicle inoperable and strand its occupants, presenting a situational safety risk.
• Component and System Integrity Issues This group consists of complaints related to significant, but not immediately life-threatening, system or component failures that impact vehicle function and owner confidence. This includes reports for the Phantom involving a recurring hood open warning light, a fuel nozzle becoming stuck in the filler pipe, and a passenger window fracturing spontaneously. Additionally, the complaints for the Ghost regarding the unavailability of parts for an active engine and engine cooling recall fall into this category, representing a potential breakdown in the service and recall fulfillment process.

This thematic analysis provides a high-level overview of the risk landscape, paving the way for targeted recommendations.

4.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

This assessment of consumer complaints highlights a range of reported issues across five Rolls-Royce models. The findings document potential vulnerabilities in systems spanning from critical safety components, such as brakes and fuel lines, to essential operational systems like transmissions and driver-assist electronics. The consistency of some complaints suggests potential underlying patterns that merit further investigation.

Based on the analysis of the provided data, the following high-level recommendations are proposed for consideration by quality assurance and safety engineering teams:

1. Prioritized Investigation of Critical Safety Systems. An immediate and in-depth investigation is recommended for the failure modes reported in braking systems (Silver Spur), fuel systems (Silver Spirit), and tire integrity (Silver Spur). The high potential for catastrophic outcomes associated with these alleged failures warrants their position as a top priority.

2. Analysis of Powertrain and Electrical System Reliability. A formal review should be conducted on the reliability of automatic transmission and gear position indication (PRNDL) systems, as highlighted by the shifting issues in the Silver Spur. Concurrently, an analysis of electrical sensor systems, prompted by the hood sensor alerts on the Phantom and the backup camera failure on the Wraith, could identify potential design or manufacturing vulnerabilities.

3. Review of Supply Chain for Recall Fulfillment. The complaints regarding the Ghost model indicate a potential bottleneck in recall remediation. It is recommended to review the logistics and parts availability process for active NHTSA recalls to ensure that safety-critical repairs can be performed in a timely manner, thereby minimizing the period of risk for vehicle owners.