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2005 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,211 reports with mileage · 183 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 459 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 434 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports20 fire reports20 injury reports

Power Train complaints

117 reports
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170,000 miles · Dec 2, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE MY 05 ESCAPE BEGAN TO SKIP,STALL & DIED, ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE FOR 20 MILES SLOW WITH IT SKIPPING AND STALLING. WHEN I LEFT OFF ON GAS IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL I MADE IT TO SAFE PLACE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FOR REPAIR ON STATE HWY IT STALLED AND WENT DEAD. FORD DEALERSHIP REPROG KE…

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DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE MY 05 ESCAPE BEGAN TO SKIP,STALL & DIED, ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE FOR 20 MILES SLOW WITH IT SKIPPING AND STALLING. WHEN I LEFT OFF ON GAS IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL I MADE IT TO SAFE PLACE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FOR REPAIR ON STATE HWY IT STALLED AND WENT DEAD. FORD DEALERSHIP REPROG KEYS- REPAIRED DRIVE OFF, BARELY OFF THE LOT AND IT QUIT AGAIN. NOW I SEE THIS IS A MANUFACTURES ISSUE WITH 05 ESCAPES AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH. NEW FORD DIAGNOSIS- NEW PLUGS & COIL PACK, INTAKE GASKET. 170,000 MILES. MY ALARM RANDOMLY GOES OFF TOO WHICH COULD BE RELATED TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FORD MOTOR IS LIABLE IF SOMEONE'S VEHICLE STALLS AND IS KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THEY KNOW ABOUT BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED OR RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11155410

107,000 miles · Nov 18, 2018
Power Train

SEE REPORT

NHTSA ODI #11152261

112,000 miles · Oct 16, 2018
Power Train

GEAR SHIFT LEVER STUCK IN PARK- VEHICLE STARTS RUNS FINE CAN NOT GET OUT OF PARK. HAD BEEN DIFFICULT SEVERAL TIMES BUT GOT IT WORKING AFTER SEVERAL EPISODES OFF AND ON NOW STUCK IN OFF STREET PARKING AT SENIOR CENTER. APPT MADE FOREPAIR 10-17 SKILLMAN FORDGREENWOOD IN GOOD CAR EVERYTHING ELSE DEPENDABLE

NHTSA ODI #11140701

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2018
Power TrainSteering

WHILE GOING ONTO A FREEWAY ONRAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE WAS AFFECTED BY TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY ISSUES LEADING UP TO THIS BUT NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BY THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND G…

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WHILE GOING ONTO A FREEWAY ONRAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE WAS AFFECTED BY TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY ISSUES LEADING UP TO THIS BUT NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BY THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND GET IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER BEING TOWED, THE AUTO SHOP DIAGNOSED A P0354, P0351, P0355, P0352 IGNITION COILS, AND PCM FAILURE. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THERE ARE MULTIPLE CLAIMS OF THIS OCCURRING AND IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11131030

211,000 miles · Sep 3, 2018
Power Train

ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING & IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE GEARS AT ALL. I STOPPED GOT GAS AND LIGHT STAYED ON. THEN AS I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN IT WENT AWAY. AFTER PARKING AT HOME OVERNIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO GO REVERSE & IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER SOM…

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ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING & IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE GEARS AT ALL. I STOPPED GOT GAS AND LIGHT STAYED ON. THEN AS I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN IT WENT AWAY. AFTER PARKING AT HOME OVERNIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO GO REVERSE & IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER SOME BACK AND FORTH WITH THE SHIFTER IT LET ME GO IN INTO REVERSE ONLY WHEN I REVVING UP AND THEN IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES IN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. IN SEARCHING THIS ISSUE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, END HAS CAUSED A FEW ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11124076

130,047 miles · Mar 10, 2018
Power Train

ENGINE OIL LEAK CAN NOT BE TRACED. SERVICED BY FORD SINCE 2004 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. ONLY SERVICED BY A FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, 130,047, AND AGE THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. DYE TEST CONDUCTED BY FORD SERVICE AND NO LEAKS WERE FOUND AFTER DRIVING 500 MILES AND RETURNING TO …

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ENGINE OIL LEAK CAN NOT BE TRACED. SERVICED BY FORD SINCE 2004 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. ONLY SERVICED BY A FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, 130,047, AND AGE THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. DYE TEST CONDUCTED BY FORD SERVICE AND NO LEAKS WERE FOUND AFTER DRIVING 500 MILES AND RETURNING TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AS ADVISED BY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. LEAVING THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, FORD SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATES AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IT SMOKES EXCESSIVELY ON COLD STARTUP. I HAVE REPLICATED THE COLD STARTUP PROCEDURE EVERYDAY IN COLD WEATHER OBSERVING THE TAIL PIPE EXHAUST AS MY WIFE STARTS THE ENGINE SINCE JANUARY 2018. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A SIGN OF SMOKE OR EXCESSIVE SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE TAIL PIPE EXHAUST.

NHTSA ODI #11078471

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2018
Power TrainSuspension

2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE COILS TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERE WAS A TSB FOR THE FAILURE AND BELIEVED THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11046730

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2017
Power Train

TRANMISSION WILL NOT PULL THE OVER DRIVE FLASHES OFF\ON

NHTSA ODI #11043013

179,000 miles · Apr 2, 2017
Power TrainStructure

WHILE LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE, I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2005 ESCAPE 3.0L, I DIDN'T GET A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DEALER AND ITS 2017 AND I'M THE SECOND OWNER,AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT MY PASSAGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT BY LOOKING AT ALL THE WHEEL WELLS, CAUSE I HEARD A HARD BUMP SOUND COMING FROM THE BAC…

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WHILE LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE, I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2005 ESCAPE 3.0L, I DIDN'T GET A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DEALER AND ITS 2017 AND I'M THE SECOND OWNER,AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT MY PASSAGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT BY LOOKING AT ALL THE WHEEL WELLS, CAUSE I HEARD A HARD BUMP SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREETS. NOW I NOTICE THAT THERE IS A SHIFT LEVEL RECALL ON THE SAME ESCAPE!!. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE RECALL NOTICES!!!. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET AROUND IN- GREAT CAR OTHER THEN THAT.

NHTSA ODI #10970044

140,000 miles · Jan 6, 2017
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE, STEERING, AND BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL SIX EMISSION COILS FAILED AND FRACTURED THE PCM. THE SIX EMISSION COILS, POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND SPARK PL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE, STEERING, AND BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL SIX EMISSION COILS FAILED AND FRACTURED THE PCM. THE SIX EMISSION COILS, POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. ..UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10940146

Official recalls

4

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 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.

14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

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.

06V111000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

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.

04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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

2

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.

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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