NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
88 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 10, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
On 11/7-22, I stopped at a major traffic light on my way to work and when the traffic light turned green and I motioned to drive forward, I noticed my car had stalled and proceeded to roll backwards in traffic. I quickly placed my foot on the gas pedal to move forward, however my car continued to roll backwards, almost hitting t…
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On 11/7-22, I stopped at a major traffic light on my way to work and when the traffic light turned green and I motioned to drive forward, I noticed my car had stalled and proceeded to roll backwards in traffic. I quickly placed my foot on the gas pedal to move forward, however my car continued to roll backwards, almost hitting the vehicle behind me. So I immediately put on my emergency lights and pressed the brakes repeatedly, however my brakes were frozen (hard) and did not stop my car from rolling backwards. After several minutes, my car stopped rolling backwards and I was able to restart it and slowly drive off the major highway to get assistance. When driving off the highway my car was moving extremely slow and rough. Since the incident, my car have not been inspected or repaired by a mechanic. Prior to this incident, my car have stalled out at stops and while driving but never rolled backwards or lost brake control.
NHTSA ODI #11493101
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2021
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT MY CAR A FEW YEARS AGO FROM A USED CAR LOT. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. MY BREAKS KEEP GOING, MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND THE TRIMMING AROUND MY WINDSHIELD IS FALLING OUT. I'M AFRAID THE WINDSHIELD IS GOING TO FLY OFF. ALL I KEEP SEEING ATE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11408220
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2020
EnginePower Train
TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER (HONDRU FORD) FOR SHUDDER/JERKING BETWEEN 40/60 MPH , THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY THE DEALER BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUES. THE FORD EDGE IS SERVICED ROUTINELY ,OIL CHANGE ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11321070
218,000 miles · Oct 7, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE SPARKS PLUGS AND COILS AND NOTICED THE COILS WERE MELTED AND HAD BURST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE SPARKS PLUGS AND COILS AND NOTICED THE COILS WERE MELTED AND HAD BURST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
NHTSA ODI #11266884
136,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Engine
CAR RUNNING ROUGH USING TWICE AS MUCH GAS AS USUAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING CODE READER SAID MISFIRE CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE CYLINDER 4 THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME OR THE SECOND IT IS NOW THE THIRD TIME THAT ALL 6 IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE BRAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE IT SHUTS OFF WHILE YOU'RE D…
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CAR RUNNING ROUGH USING TWICE AS MUCH GAS AS USUAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING CODE READER SAID MISFIRE CYLINDER 1 MISFIRE CYLINDER 4 THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME OR THE SECOND IT IS NOW THE THIRD TIME THAT ALL 6 IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE BRAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE IT SHUTS OFF WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING WITH NO MORNING AND THE PARTS ALL TOGETHER $900 FOR A BRAIN $86 FOR EACH IGNITION COIL PLUS THE SPARK PLUGS PLUS THE LABOR INVOLVED NOW THE VEHICLE GOT SO HOT IT NEEDS CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WON'T PASS A SMOG
NHTSA ODI #11255656
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH USING MORE GAS GOT A COIL CODE FOR MY NUMBER 1 COIL.BCHANGED PLUGS ETC.. STILL RUNNING BAD. TOOK IT TO FORD PUT ON THERE COMPUTER AND IT CAME BACK AS THE PCM. WHICH CAN CAUSE YOUR CAR TO CATCH FIRE TO STOP SUDDENKY IN MIDDLE OF ROAD USE WAY MORE GAS RUIN ALL OF YOUR PLUGS AND COILS AGAIN. WHY WOULD FORD …
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MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH USING MORE GAS GOT A COIL CODE FOR MY NUMBER 1 COIL.BCHANGED PLUGS ETC.. STILL RUNNING BAD. TOOK IT TO FORD PUT ON THERE COMPUTER AND IT CAME BACK AS THE PCM. WHICH CAN CAUSE YOUR CAR TO CATCH FIRE TO STOP SUDDENKY IN MIDDLE OF ROAD USE WAY MORE GAS RUIN ALL OF YOUR PLUGS AND COILS AGAIN. WHY WOULD FORD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM?WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?WHAT IF SOMEONE DIES? THEN WHAT? I HAVE REICIEPTS UPON RECIIEPTS. WHY ARE WE THE CONSUMERS THE ONE WHO HAS TO PAY FOR YOUR FAULTS. I USE MY CAR FOR WORK. I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS AND DRIVE THEM LIKE A LADY SHOULD. NO ROUGH BUSINESS IN MY CAR. NOW I CANT DRIVE CAR BECAUSE YOUR PCM NEW IS 1000 . THIS WILL FOREVER DISCOURAGE ME FROM BUYING ANOTHER FORD. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN JUST IGNORE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ALOT OF FORD EDGES. ONE WOULD THINK THAT YOUR REPUTATION WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO YOU. IT IS NOT THE DRIVER OR OWNERS FAULT IT IS WHOMEVER MADE THESE COMPUTERS. IT HAPPENS TO EDGES WITH LOW TO HIGH MILES. IT DOESNT MATTER. ITS FAULTY COMPUTER THAT YOU NEED TO CARE OF.
NHTSA ODI #11245638
100,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ,THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT CALLED SHEEHY FORD …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ,THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT CALLED SHEEHY FORD OF MARLOW HEIGHTS (5000 AUTH RD, CAMP SPRINGS, MD 20746, (301) 298-0793) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11243505
200,000 miles · Mar 19, 2019
Engine
THE WATER PUMP ON THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A POSITION THAT REQUIRES A FULL AND EXPENSIVE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE TO EVEN CHECK ON IT. MANUAL HAS NO WATER PUMP MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED INTERNALLY AND DUMPS COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND OIL PAN. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THIS IS COMING OR HAS HAPPENED UNTIL YOUR…
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THE WATER PUMP ON THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A POSITION THAT REQUIRES A FULL AND EXPENSIVE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE TO EVEN CHECK ON IT. MANUAL HAS NO WATER PUMP MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THE WATER PUMP HAS FAILED INTERNALLY AND DUMPS COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND OIL PAN. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THIS IS COMING OR HAS HAPPENED UNTIL YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS. BY THAT POINT THE COOLANT HAS ALREADY RUN THROUGH MY ENGINE AND CAUSED IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE THAT REQUIRES A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORD IS AND HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA ODI #11190023
77,291 miles · Nov 20, 2018
Engine
MY 2007 FORD EDGE AT 77,291 MILE HAD AN ECM FAILURE WITH COIL FAILURES (PO351, PO 352 & PO354). THIS COST ME $1079.87 FOR THE NEW ECM, AND I REPLACED ALL COILS FOR $264 ($44/EACH X 6). THIS EDGE IS THE FIRST FORD VEHICLE I HAVE PURCHASED, & IT MIGHT BE MY LAST. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GM PRODUCTS UNTIL NOW, & EACH OF THOSE VEHICLES …
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MY 2007 FORD EDGE AT 77,291 MILE HAD AN ECM FAILURE WITH COIL FAILURES (PO351, PO 352 & PO354). THIS COST ME $1079.87 FOR THE NEW ECM, AND I REPLACED ALL COILS FOR $264 ($44/EACH X 6). THIS EDGE IS THE FIRST FORD VEHICLE I HAVE PURCHASED, & IT MIGHT BE MY LAST. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GM PRODUCTS UNTIL NOW, & EACH OF THOSE VEHICLES I DROVE TO OVER 200 K MILES ON THEM & NEVER REPLACED THE ECM OR COILS. I AM REPORTING THIS IN HOPES TO ENCOURAGE FORD TO PLACE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO HELP OFF SET MY COSTS.
NHTSA ODI #11152978
156,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Engine
THE ENGINE WENT OUT DUE TO A BAD WATER PUMP BUT NO WARNING SIGNS WERE PRESENT. IT ONLY OVERHEATED FOR 2 MINUTES AND WATER AND OIL MIXED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO GO OUT COMPLETELY.
NHTSA ODI #11143955
Official recalls
5Mar 10, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Feb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags:frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Jan 10, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
May 31, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Oct 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Lincoln MKX, and Ford Edge vehicles, manufactured June 15, 2006, to September 22, 2008, and originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use, the affected vehicles may leak fuel from the fuel tank seam weld under the tank mounting reinforcement brackets.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 12, 2014. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and either clean and treat the fuel tank with a corrosion preventative or replace the tank, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S22.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE09031 · Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint
Opened Jul 13, 2009 · Closed Nov 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
ON JULY 13, 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-031 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 AND 2008 FORD EDGE AND LINCOLN MKX VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS BASED ON THREE OWNER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING.ODI ALSO IDENTIFIED INFORMATION RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN EARLY WARNING DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD.PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE PINCH BOLT USED TO SECURE THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT STUD TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE.ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGED THAT A CRASH OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN A MINOR INJURY.HOWEVER, NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COULD BE OBTAINED TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY FORD IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE09-031 INDICATE THAT IN EARLY MY 2007 PRODUCTION THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY PROCESS.THE PINCH BOLTS USED WERE HAND STARTED AND HAD THE POTENTIAL TO CROSS THREAD AND NOT ACHIEVE PROPER CLAMP LOAD, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A LOOSE JOINT.IN NOVEMBER 2007, CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO CHASE AND CLEAN THE FIRST SIX THREADS OF THE BOLT TO PROVIDE EASIER HAND STARTING OF THE NUT AND ENSURE GOOD THREAD ENGAGEMENT BEFORE TIGHTENING. FORD ALSO IDENTIFIED ONGOING CONCERNS WITH THE POWER TRANSMISSION UNIT (PTU) SEALS AND FRONT SUSPENSION HYDRO-BUSHINGS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH BOTH REQUIRE DISASSEMBLY OF THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT TO REPAIR.IF THE BALL JOINT IS NOT PROPERLY REASSEMBLED FOLLOWING SUCH SERVICE, THE JOINT MAY SEPARATE IN LATER SERVICE.FORD HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS AND NEW PINCH BOLTS TO THE PTU REPAIR KIT TO IMPROVE THE JOINT REASSEMBLY PROCESS. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF FAILURE DATA IDENTIFIED 31 INCIDENTS OF JOINT SEPARATION (WITH 12 SPECIFICALLY STATING THAT THEY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING).REPAIR RECORDS FOR THESE 31 VEHICLES SHOWS THAT 28 INVOLVE SEPARATION OF THE JOINT ON THE PASSENGER (RIGHT) SIDE, WHICH IS THE SIDE THAT MUST BE DISASSEMBLED FOR PTU SERVICE.TWENTY-THREE OF THESE WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DISASSEMBLED FOR CONTROL ARM BUSHING SERVICE, PTU SERVICE OR OTHER TRANSMISSION REPAIR. THE EIGHT CLAIMS THAT DID NOT INVOLVE PRIOR SERVICE REPAIRS REQUIRING JOINT DISASSEMBLY ALL OCCURRED VERY EARLY IN VEHICLE LIFE, INDICATING THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANY JOINTS MANUFACTURED WITH LOOSE PINCH BOLTS ARE STILL IN SERVICE.ALL OF THESE JOINTS FAILED WITHIN 6 MONTHS IN SERVICE AND 10,000 MILES (THE MAXIMUM FAILURE MILEAGE IS 8,097 MILES).THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY SUCH FAILURES (I.E., NOT INVOLVING PRIOR SERVICE/DISASSEMBLY) SINCE DECEMBER 2008.THE RATE FOR INCIDENTS THAT DID NOT OCCUR FOLLOWING SERVICE AND, THUS, MAY BE RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY FORD IS VERY LOW (2.5 PER 100,000 VEHICLES) AND THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED VERY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLES AND ARE NOT SHOWING A CONTINUING FAILURE TREND.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.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 CONTINUE TO
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