NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
90 reportsClear category filter55,000 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS AND THE FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO RUST PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS, THE FRAME AND THE EX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS AND THE FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO RUST PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS, THE FRAME AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10779916
75,000 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS GOING TO WORK ENTERING INTERSTATE 80 NEAR VALLEJO, CA WHEN AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE BECAME GRADUALLY UNRESPONSIVE. I HAD TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHERE THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I THEN PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC…
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I WAS GOING TO WORK ENTERING INTERSTATE 80 NEAR VALLEJO, CA WHEN AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE BECAME GRADUALLY UNRESPONSIVE. I HAD TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHERE THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I THEN PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10711831
82,319 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS COMING BACK TO HOME FROM WORK DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55-60 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTS DECELERATING ITSELF AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL IT OVER ON THE SHOULDER, I WAS LUCKY THAT NOT ONE HIT ME. I COMPLETELY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN I TRIED TO START AGAIN, IT STARTED MAKING CRANKING SOUND BUT DID NOT START COMPLETELY, …
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I WAS COMING BACK TO HOME FROM WORK DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55-60 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTS DECELERATING ITSELF AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL IT OVER ON THE SHOULDER, I WAS LUCKY THAT NOT ONE HIT ME. I COMPLETELY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN I TRIED TO START AGAIN, IT STARTED MAKING CRANKING SOUND BUT DID NOT START COMPLETELY, SO I HAD TO CALL THE TOWING TRUCK TO TOW THE CAR TO MY HOME. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, I AM NOT SURE HOW CAN THE VEHICLE CAN STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVING. IT WAS SCARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682048
80,000 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO OVER 20 MPH BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, IT'S NOT HIGH IDLING OR OVER HEATING. A WEEK PRIOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND WAS TOLD I HAD A MIS FIRE ON A CYLINDER AND I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND IGNITION COIL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668576
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension
COMPLAINT ONE: EXCESSIVE RUSTED PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND STRUT MOUNT, STRUT MOUNT BROKE AWAY. COMPLAINT TWO: RUSTED ENGINE CRADLE CAUSED PASSENGER SIDE FRONT HALF SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM CENTER OF THE CAR CAUSING THE TO STOP MOVING FOREWORD AND LOSS OF STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10661279
100,000 miles · Nov 15, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAVE TAKEN AUTO TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT RESULTS. HAVE PAID QUITE A BIT STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AUTO COASTING THEN STALLING & CONKING OUT ALL TOGETHER. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN RECALL ON ISSUE.. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10655191
107,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF THE FORD BRAND...UNTIL NOW. THE MORE RESEARCH I DID ON THE LINK BETWEEN FAULTY FACTORY-INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS AND PCM FAILURE, AND FORDS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS LINK FROM THE GET-GO, THE ANGRIER I BECOME. THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS "KNOWN" ISSUE HOWEVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ONLY EXTENDS UP TO 80,00…
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I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF THE FORD BRAND...UNTIL NOW. THE MORE RESEARCH I DID ON THE LINK BETWEEN FAULTY FACTORY-INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS AND PCM FAILURE, AND FORDS KNOWLEDGE OF THIS LINK FROM THE GET-GO, THE ANGRIER I BECOME. THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS "KNOWN" ISSUE HOWEVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ONLY EXTENDS UP TO 80,000 MILES. PRETTY CONVENIENT SINCE THE AVERAGE FAILURE MARKER IS 98K MILES. ALSO CONVENIENT THAT FORD WAITED UNTIL 99.99% OF ALL AFFECTED DRIVERS WOULD BE OUTSIDE OF THEIR "WARRANTY" PERIOD BEFORE GRACIOUSLY EXTENDING SAID "WARRANTY". HOGWASH. I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE THAT MY FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT (BECAUSE YOU KNOW, LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL CONTROL AT 70 MPH IS NOT HIGH ON MY BUCKET LIST). I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC . DIAGNOSTICS WAS THE # 3 COILS WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACED AND RETESTED. IT SHOWED THAT IT WAS GOOD BUT THE NEXT COIL WAS BAD AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WE TOOK THE CAR TO FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PCM WAS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED 2,100 LATER STILL HAVING ISSUES. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SHOP I NOTICED IT WAS STILL HESITATING SLIGHTLY, BUT NOTHING LIKE IT WAS .NO, IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER BUT KNOWN ISSUES SUCH AS THESE REALLY CHAP MY HIDE!!! THIS HAS SOURED ME OFF FORD FOREVER AT THIS POINT. DISAPPOINTING, DANGEROUS AND DOWNRIGHT DECEPTIVE. WHY WON'T FORD DO A RECALL ON THIS? SAFETY IS AN ISSUE.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628826
85,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
MY CAR WENT TO SHOP FOR EXHAUST REPAIR WHEN THE FRONT Y PIPE WAS REMOVED MY MECHANIC SAW A LARGE HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME(FRONT ENGINE CRADLE).FRAME WAS REPAIRED BY WELDING IT. THE REST OF CAR FRAME APPEARED OK. CAR ONLY HAS 80K MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. NOT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON 2004 …
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MY CAR WENT TO SHOP FOR EXHAUST REPAIR WHEN THE FRONT Y PIPE WAS REMOVED MY MECHANIC SAW A LARGE HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME(FRONT ENGINE CRADLE).FRAME WAS REPAIRED BY WELDING IT. THE REST OF CAR FRAME APPEARED OK. CAR ONLY HAS 80K MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. NOT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON 2004 AND EARLIER FORD ESCAPES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I FEEL THE 2005 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS ITS OBVIOUS TO ME THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585987
51,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE BEGAN MISFIRING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION AT THE FORD DEALER THEY DETERMINED THAT ALL 6 COILS AND THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS $2750.00. FORD IS AWARE THAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT ASSIST THE OWNERS IN ANY WAY.
NHTSA ODI #10567212
79,000 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD ESCAPE FOR A FEW MONTHS. GENERALLY WHEN AT A STOP MY ENGINE WOULD REV REALLY HIGH. AFTER THIS WENT ON FOR AWHILE NOW WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE OR AT A STOP THE IDLING GOES SO LOW I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO STALL. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC TEST IT AND PUT IT ON AN ANALYZER BUT THE ANALYZER DOESN'T SHOW…
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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD ESCAPE FOR A FEW MONTHS. GENERALLY WHEN AT A STOP MY ENGINE WOULD REV REALLY HIGH. AFTER THIS WENT ON FOR AWHILE NOW WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE OR AT A STOP THE IDLING GOES SO LOW I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO STALL. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC TEST IT AND PUT IT ON AN ANALYZER BUT THE ANALYZER DOESN'T SHOW A PROBLEM. I FINALLY HAD THE THROTTLE MOTOR REPLACED BUT IT IS STILL IDLING TOO LOW AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO BE NO RHYME OR REASON WHEN IT WILL START DOING IT. I'M AT A LOSS ON HOW TO FIX IT BUT IT'S PRETTY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING AT TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547178
Official recalls
4Sep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Apr 7, 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Dec 20, 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2DP12006 · 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.
AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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