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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

149 reports
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72,760 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

ON 9-9-08 I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION, APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, AIRBAG DID DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT WITH THE AIRBAG MADE MY FACE AND EYES BURN. MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE 4CYL. SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE ($5000.00). IT TOOK 3 WEEKS TO FIX, WHICH WAS NO BIG DEAL. YESTERDAY, 10-4-08, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY ESCAP…

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ON 9-9-08 I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION, APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, AIRBAG DID DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT WITH THE AIRBAG MADE MY FACE AND EYES BURN. MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE 4CYL. SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE ($5000.00). IT TOOK 3 WEEKS TO FIX, WHICH WAS NO BIG DEAL. YESTERDAY, 10-4-08, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, MY ESCAPE WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL I TURNED AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO GET UP TO SPEED (40MPH), MY ESCAPE TOOK THE PEDAL FROM MY FOOT AND LOCKED IT TO THE FLOOR, I HAVE BEEN ASKED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE IF I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE CRUISE, AND ALL I REPLY WITH IS "IT DOESN'T HAVE CRUISE!" AS MY CAR STARTED TO SPEED UP I TRIED TO STOP, MY BRAKES WOULD ONLY KICK BACK OUT AT ME AND SINCE I WAS JUST IN A WRECK I WAS A LITTLE SCARED. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT AND DROVE IN CIRCLES UNTIL I COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP IT. I TRIED MY EBRAKE BUT IT DIDN'T WORK, I TRIED PULLING THE PEDAL UP, NO GOOD, I TRIED PUNCHING THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT, NO GOOD. I DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRANNY SO I DIDN'T TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR, FINALLY I DECIDED TO TRY SHUTTING IT OFF, IT SHUT OFF AND IS RUNNING FINE NOW. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM MAINLY BECAUSE I HAVE READ ALL OF THE POSTINGS FOR THIS CAR AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA. YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN AND THERE ISN'T ANYTHING DONE TO FIX IT, I WILL GET RID OF IT AND STOP BUYING FORDS ALL TOGETHER. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NO REAL ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN WITH SO MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244458

70,000 miles · Oct 5, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

2005 FORD ESCAPE, 4CYL, AWD. BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVE 70,000 MILES ON IT. GAS PEDAL KEEPS STICKING. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TEDD BRITT FORD THREE TIMES (WHICH HANDLES ALL OF MY SERVICE). THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244405

110,000 miles · Jan 16, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TAKE OVER WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT THE SWITCH BEING DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE. AT TIMES THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DROP OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD BE ENGAGED BY MERELY SLIDING THE THUMB ACROSS THE SWITCH WITHOUT DEPRESSING IT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALPIN FORD IN DE…

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CRUISE CONTROL WOULD TAKE OVER WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT THE SWITCH BEING DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE. AT TIMES THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DROP OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD BE ENGAGED BY MERELY SLIDING THE THUMB ACROSS THE SWITCH WITHOUT DEPRESSING IT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALPIN FORD IN DEWEY, AZ FOR REPAIR. THE PROBLEM WAS EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED WITHOUT REPAIR. THE SERVICE REP SAID THEY HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT HOME I READ THE INVOICE IN DETAIL AND FOUND A NOTATION FROM THE MECHANIC THAT STATED THE SWITCH NEEDED REPLACED. I VISITED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE PARENT DEALERSHIP, GALPIN FORD OF PRESCOTT, AZ AND INDICATED MY DISPLEASURE WITH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM NOT BEING CORRECTED. HE STATED THE DEFECT HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED YET BUT PROMISED IF IT DID GET RECALLED IN THE FUTURE, THEY WOULD REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED 1/15/08 AT A COST OF $69.34 PARTS AND 133.58 LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215132

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDALS STICKS. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR 2001-2004 VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE IS A 2005. THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214163

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN FOOT IS LIFTED OFF PEDAL THEN IT IS PRESSED AGAIN. AT TIMES, THE PEDAL STICKS SO BAD THAT THE CAR REVVES HIGH AND LUNGES FORWARD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176373

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

2005 ESCAPE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AT IDLE. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176437

56,393 miles · Nov 1, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. IT WAS STOPPED BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FIVE TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES STUCK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. IT WAS STOPPED BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FIVE TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES STUCK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR FROM PARK. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172360

20 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 4 CYLINDER AND MY GAS PEDAL IS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK IN A POSITION AND I HAVE TO TAP IT HARD TO UNSTICK IT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THE TRUCK - AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY SHOES, OR MY IMAGINATION, BUT WHEN I FINALLY LET MY HUSBAND DRIVE MY ESCAPE, HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT I MEANT. IS THERE A RECALL F…

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I HAVE A 4 CYLINDER AND MY GAS PEDAL IS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK IN A POSITION AND I HAVE TO TAP IT HARD TO UNSTICK IT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I'VE BOUGHT THE TRUCK - AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY SHOES, OR MY IMAGINATION, BUT WHEN I FINALLY LET MY HUSBAND DRIVE MY ESCAPE, HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT I MEANT. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE I HAVE TO TAP HARD TO UNSTICK THE PEDAL AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171155

3,700 miles · Jul 8, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury

THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL OF 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS A VERY SHARP CUTTING EDGE ON IT RESULTING IN INJURY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161888

31,000 miles · May 23, 2006
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOTION WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITI…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOTION WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. IN SPITE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10158100

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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