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2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

143 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

15 reports
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133,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Power TrainCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HOME FROM WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I BARELY AVOIDED A 16 WHEELER AND MADE IT TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WHILE HITTING A CONCRETE CURB NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND DAMAGING MY …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID HOME FROM WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I BARELY AVOIDED A 16 WHEELER AND MADE IT TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WHILE HITTING A CONCRETE CURB NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND DAMAGING MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE STEERING WENT OUT, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ALSO. THE WRENCH SIGN WAS LIGHT UP AND A MESSAGE TO PULL OVER WAS ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES, DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IN THE LAST 2 DAYS MAKING THE CAR BASICALLY UNDRIVEABLE. A CODE 2112 WAS PULLED FROM THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND THAT THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT SHOULD REPLACE THIS. WHEN I CALLED FORD WITH MY VIN NUMBER, I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2009 HYBRID WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER 2009 ESCAPE HYBRIDS WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT WERE NOT COVERED. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!!

NHTSA ODI #10893454

58,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Power Train

IN 2013, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY UNDER ACCELERATION, WHILE GOING UPHILL ON CITY STREETS. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT AND TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR TURNED ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE ENGIN…

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IN 2013, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR LOST POWER COMPLETELY UNDER ACCELERATION, WHILE GOING UPHILL ON CITY STREETS. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT AND TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR TURNED ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THE THROTTLE BODY ACCENTUATOR WAS FAULTY, NOT UNDER WARRANTY ( CAR 3 YEARS OLD AT TIME) BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE WAS REPLACED IN 2013. NOW AGAIN IN 2016, ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN...SAME DIAGNOSIS. PART REPLACED AGAIN, NOT UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS NO INDICATIONS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON...YET TO BE RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10838468

78,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Power TrainSteering

VEHICLE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE TURNING LEFT. IN 2014 MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A POWER STEERING RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE A POWER STEERING FAILURE UNTIL AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705960

125,600 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Power Train

TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE FORD LOST ACCELERATION. FROM 65MPH TO 40MPH..EVEN THOUGH I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY IN. AND THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION LOCKED IN! UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR LOCKED IN ON THE FREEWAY. THE SITUATION IS GETTING TERRIBLE!! AFRAID MAJOR ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM FORD!!!! …

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TWICE IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE FORD LOST ACCELERATION. FROM 65MPH TO 40MPH..EVEN THOUGH I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY IN. AND THE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION LOCKED IN! UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR LOCKED IN ON THE FREEWAY. THE SITUATION IS GETTING TERRIBLE!! AFRAID MAJOR ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM FORD!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643594

62,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE THROTTLE WENT OUT. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 40 AND WAS VERY SLOW TO GET TO THAT SPEED. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING AT A HIGHER RPM THAN NORMAL AT STOP LIGHTS. WHEN DRIVING UP HILL THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 20 MPH AND THERE WAS NO THROTTLE TO INCREASE THE SPEED AT ALL. THE YELLOW W…

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I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE THROTTLE WENT OUT. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 40 AND WAS VERY SLOW TO GET TO THAT SPEED. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING AT A HIGHER RPM THAN NORMAL AT STOP LIGHTS. WHEN DRIVING UP HILL THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 20 MPH AND THERE WAS NO THROTTLE TO INCREASE THE SPEED AT ALL. THE YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE I MADE IT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO GET THE CODES PULLED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND IT RAN LIKE NORMAL. WE COULD NOT GET THE CODES PULLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632711

88,297 miles · Aug 14, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WHEN CAR BEGIN TO RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN IT WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING (08/14/2014) AND IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE LISTED IN DP12006 FOR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES. THE REASON FOR THIS …

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STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WHEN CAR BEGIN TO RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN IT WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING (08/14/2014) AND IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE LISTED IN DP12006 FOR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES. THE REASON FOR THIS CASE IS FORD MOTOR COMPANY / RANDALL REED FORD WANTS TO EXCLUDE A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID FROM THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03 AND HAVE ME PAY FOR THE REPAIR. YOUR HELP IN GETTING THIS RESOLVED IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622251

40 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE SERVICE WRENCH WOULD GO ON AND HOLD AND BUT ALWAYS SEEM TO GO OFF WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD NEVER CHECK THE PROBLEM. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH UNTIL IN ADDITION TO THE LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 40 MPH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT A CHARGE OF $476.99 SIN…

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THE SERVICE WRENCH WOULD GO ON AND HOLD AND BUT ALWAYS SEEM TO GO OFF WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD NEVER CHECK THE PROBLEM. THIS WENT ON FOR A MONTH UNTIL IN ADDITION TO THE LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 40 MPH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT A CHARGE OF $476.99 SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS UPSETS ME BECAUSE I FIND OUT TONIGHT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND BECAUSE NO OFFICIAL RECALL WAS ISSUE, I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. HTTP://WWW.LEMONAUTO.COM/COMPLAINTS/FORD/FORD_ESCAPE.HTM. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND DELIVERED IN NOVEMBER 008 - VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER OCT. 15, 2009 HAVE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES MANUFACTURED WITH A NEW PROCESS THAT RESOLVED THIS CONDITION, THE GOVERNMENT SAID. THE BULLETIN INSTRUCTED DEALERS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ON A NUMBER OF FORD AND LINCOLN VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OF THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, A DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE VARYING LEVELS OF REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. IN ADDITION, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN ABOUT THIS HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE FACT THAT I RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE TODAY FOR SOMETHING ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615527

112,112 miles · Nov 21, 2013
Power TrainService Brakes

DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR BLVD. 4 LIGHTS TURNED ON SIMULTANEOUSLY, BRAKE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND THE "WRENCH" ICON INDICATING A MAJOR FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I EXPERIENCED AN 80% LOSS OF BRAKING POWER NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION WITH CARS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND BRAKES WERE SEVERELY CO…

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DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR BLVD. 4 LIGHTS TURNED ON SIMULTANEOUSLY, BRAKE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND THE "WRENCH" ICON INDICATING A MAJOR FAILURE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I EXPERIENCED AN 80% LOSS OF BRAKING POWER NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION WITH CARS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. LIGHTS REMAINED ON AND BRAKES WERE SEVERELY COMPROMISED AS I LIMPED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR ALL SYSTEMS WERE OPERATIONAL AND ALL LIGHTS WERE OFF. DROVE THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR EVALUATION. DEALER DIAGNOSED A COMPROMISED BATTERY AS THE SOURCE OF FAILURE AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. DEALER SERVICE REP DENIED THIS PROBLEM HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AS OTHER REPORTS MENTION WITH THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS ON YOUR SITE, AS WELL DENIED PROBLEMS WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER OR REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE BATTERY DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM TO ME, WHY THEN DID THE CAR CONTINUE TO DRIVE NORMALLY FOR A WHILE FOLLOWING THE FAILURE BEFORE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED? EVEN IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM, NO BATTERY LIGHT INDICATED A PROBLEM PRIOR TO FAILURE. AM I TO EXPECT BRAKE FAILURE TO BE WHAT ANNOUNCES MY BATTERY MIGHT BE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT? NO FAIL SAFE MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE IN PLACE ON THIS VEHICLE. TREACHEROUS. I'LL LIKELY SELL THE CAR AS I DON'T WANT MY LESS EXPERIENCED 16 YR OLD TO BE CONFRONTED WITH THIS ISSUE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE LEFT PLENTY OF FOLLOWING DISTANCE, WITHOUT WHICH I MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BECOME THE VICTIM OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553213

78,100 miles · Oct 24, 2013
Power Train

CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, DOES NOT COMPLETELY STALL OUT, BUT LOSES POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION. WRENCH LIGHT SOMETIMES TURNS ON. ONCE I PULL OVER, STOP AND RESTART CAR, IT SEEMS TO RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. DEALER DIAGNOSED THROTTLE BODY FAILURE AND REPLACED…

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CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, DOES NOT COMPLETELY STALL OUT, BUT LOSES POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION. WRENCH LIGHT SOMETIMES TURNS ON. ONCE I PULL OVER, STOP AND RESTART CAR, IT SEEMS TO RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. DEALER DIAGNOSED THROTTLE BODY FAILURE AND REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549323

72,715 miles · Oct 7, 2013
Power TrainSteering

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE POWERTRAIN LIGHT CAME ON, MY CAR STARTED JERKING. IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED IT. IT WAS OK. THAT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THAT FIRST INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547049

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

3

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving

Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.