NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
77 reportsClear category filter127,000 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Exterior LightingService Brakes
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 6 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T STOP USING MY BRAKES! I ALMOST CRASHED!! I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE AND EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILS AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK!!! THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE SEEN, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT REAR TAIL LIGHTS BLO…
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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 6 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T STOP USING MY BRAKES! I ALMOST CRASHED!! I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE AND EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILS AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK!!! THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE SEEN, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT REAR TAIL LIGHTS BLOWING OUT AND WHEN CHANGING OUT THE BULBS, THE BULB SOCKETS ARE BURNT AND MELTED! MINE ARE THE SAME, BURNT UP AND MELTED. IT IS A FIRE HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN!!
NHTSA ODI #11270899
110,000 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Service Brakes
PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES STOPPING THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. HISSING NOISE OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. POSSIBLY CAUSED BY FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER OR BOOST SYSTEM. * RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR 2010-2013 FORD EDGE VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #11229539
143,567 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Service Brakes
WHISTLING NOISE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND SOMETIMES BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS MAKING STOPS SEEM LIKELY UNSTOPPABLE ALSO REAR BRAKES MAKE TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN BACKING PADS AND ROTORS ARE OKAY.
NHTSA ODI #11172041
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2018
Service Brakes
BRAKES ON MY 2008 FORD EDGE ARE MAKING A HISSING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED AND DO NOT STOP THE CAR UNLESS I PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND EVEN WITH THAT, THE CAR DOES NOT STOP COMPLETELY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET NEW BRAKE PADS APPLIED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I LO…
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BRAKES ON MY 2008 FORD EDGE ARE MAKING A HISSING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED AND DO NOT STOP THE CAR UNLESS I PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND EVEN WITH THAT, THE CAR DOES NOT STOP COMPLETELY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO GET NEW BRAKE PADS APPLIED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I LOOKED UP A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON THIS SITE ONLY TO FIND MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11142558
153,000 miles · Sep 15, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
RIGHT WHEEL WELL VIBRATES WHEN I TURN AND DRIVE OVER50 MILES HOUR TRANSMISSION JERKS LIKE ITS NOT ENGAGING TO NEXT GEAR FROM A STOP OR WHEN DRIVING UNDER MPH BACK LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BURNS OUT EVERY OTHER DAY . BRAKES ARE SQEELING AND SOUND LIKE METAL SCRAPING BUT NO INDICATOR HAS COME ON FOR THE ABS TO TO BE REPLACE MUST MODULE NO…
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RIGHT WHEEL WELL VIBRATES WHEN I TURN AND DRIVE OVER50 MILES HOUR TRANSMISSION JERKS LIKE ITS NOT ENGAGING TO NEXT GEAR FROM A STOP OR WHEN DRIVING UNDER MPH BACK LEFT BRAKE LIGHT BURNS OUT EVERY OTHER DAY . BRAKES ARE SQEELING AND SOUND LIKE METAL SCRAPING BUT NO INDICATOR HAS COME ON FOR THE ABS TO TO BE REPLACE MUST MODULE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY CAUSE MOT CODING ANYTHING WITH TRANNY JERKING EITHER FORD EDGE IS PEICE OF (XXXX) I NEVER BY AMERICAN AGAIN
NHTSA ODI #11129678
145,676 miles · Aug 23, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes
MY TURN SIGNAL BULB SOCKET FRIES REPEATEDLY. THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TIME IN 2 YEARS REPLACING IT. IT BURNS UP THE SOCKET AND MELTS THE BOTTOM OF THE LIGHT BULB. I GOT THE PARTS FROM FORD DEALERSHIP ALSO BUT I HAVE READ ONLINE ANY PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. IT JUST GOES OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN.
NHTSA ODI #11121862
130,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF WHILE BEING DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF WHILE BEING DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #11114660
109,500 miles · Jul 12, 2018
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I NORMALLY DO THE CAR KEPT MOVING SO I HAD TO APPLY LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. I HEARD A UNUSUAL NOISE. I HAD TWO DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER BUT WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE FACTORY RECALL BECAUSE IT'S A 2008 MODEL EDGE WHAT A …
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I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I NORMALLY DO THE CAR KEPT MOVING SO I HAD TO APPLY LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. I HEARD A UNUSUAL NOISE. I HAD TWO DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER BUT WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE FACTORY RECALL BECAUSE IT'S A 2008 MODEL EDGE WHAT A RIPOFF! THE SAME MANUFACTURE DEFECTIVE ISSUE IN THE 2010 IS COVERED. GO FIGURE!. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING FASTER I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP TO AVOID A ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11111029
126,000 miles · Jul 11, 2018
Service Brakes
YESTERDAY, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT NEEDED TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE AND THEY MADE A HISSING SOUND. THE VEHICLE SLOWLY COASTED TO A STOP. IT WAS A TERRIFYING INCIDENT, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD SON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAI…
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YESTERDAY, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT NEEDED TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE AND THEY MADE A HISSING SOUND. THE VEHICLE SLOWLY COASTED TO A STOP. IT WAS A TERRIFYING INCIDENT, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD SON. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD FAILED. I SEE THAT THIS IS A RECALL ON THE 2010 AND NEWER EDGE, WHICH USES THE SAME PART. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD ALSO BE A RECALL IN THE EARLIER MODELS, AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AWAITING REPAIR, WHICH WILL COST ME IN EXCESS OF $500. I AM NOT PLEASED.
NHTSA ODI #11110817
110,000 miles · May 15, 2018
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD EDGE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRAIRIE HILLS FORD (522 W DOUGLAS ST, O'NEILL, NE 68763, (402) 336-2400) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11094001
Official recalls
6Mar 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.
Jul 3, 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 142 MY 2008 EDGE AND LINCOLN MKK ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. THE FUEL TANK WELD FIXTURE MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A CONTAMINANT DURING PRODUCTION WHICH COULD CAUSE A DIMPLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK AT A SPOT WELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DIMPLE COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK OR A FUEL DRIP FROM THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-437-7332.
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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