NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,394 reports125,000 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Air BagsSuspensionWheelsCrash
I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE. I HYDROPLANED, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD ON. MY VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL, TRAVELED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE CAR SPUN 90 DEGREES AND CAME TO A …
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I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE. I HYDROPLANED, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD ON. MY VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL, TRAVELED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE CAR SPUN 90 DEGREES AND CAME TO A REST WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST THE GUARD RAIL, OPPOSING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FLOW. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE A 60-MPH COLLISION. THE SUSPENSION, WHEEL, AND SHOCK FELL OFF IN THE COLLISION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679286
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2015
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK FRACTURED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RUST RELATED BUT RATHER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK FRACTURED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RUST RELATED BUT RATHER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10678501
114,000 miles · Jan 23, 2015
SteeringSuspensionWheels
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PUNCTURED THROUGH A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND THE AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY THE 2001-2004 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL …
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WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PUNCTURED THROUGH A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND THE AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY THE 2001-2004 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678470
114,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER AND THE IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER AND THE IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA ODI #10678378
156,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
StructureSuspension
RIGHT REAR WHEEL RUSTED APART AND SHOCK ABSORBER IS NOT ATTACHED ANY LONGER. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE TO SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678347
107,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
Suspension
WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT REAR SIDE OF OUR FORD ESCAPE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WOULD GO OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. A QUICK LOOK UNDERNEATH, WE NOTICED A LOT OF RUST. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET IT IN TO BE CHECKED OUT AND UPON US DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT IS MOST LIKELY THE RIGHT REAR SHO…
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WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT REAR SIDE OF OUR FORD ESCAPE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WOULD GO OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. A QUICK LOOK UNDERNEATH, WE NOTICED A LOT OF RUST. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET IT IN TO BE CHECKED OUT AND UPON US DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT IS MOST LIKELY THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WE RECEIVED A CALL AND FOUND OUT THAT IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IT (15 HOURS AND $1,200.00 APPROX.). THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE IN ESCAPES FROM YEARS 2005-07. WE REACHED OUT TO FORD BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS OUR STATE INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME NOR WOULD THEY HELP ASSIST WITH ANY OF THE REPAIRS, AT THIS TIME. THEY TOLD US TO HOLD ON TO OUR RECEIPT AND IF THERE IS A RECALL, THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676533
174,033 miles · Jan 16, 2015
SteeringSuspension
THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. THIS ALLOWED THE REAR SHOCK TO BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND PRODUCED A LOUD BANGING NOISE. HAD THE SHOCK COME LOOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676157
160,000 miles · Jan 16, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE SHOCK ABSORBER DETACHED AND FRACTURED THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE SHOCK ABSORBER DETACHED AND FRACTURED THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10673020
85,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE KNOWING THE ECM HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY... ABOUT 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE MY CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON...LOSING GAS MILEAGE, CAR STALLED OUT A FEW TIMES, AND DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE ECM AGAIN... APPROXIMATELY AUGUST 2013. ONE YEAR LATER AUGUST 2014 SAME ISSUE AGAIN... ECM REPLACED AGAI…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE KNOWING THE ECM HAD BEEN REPLACED RECENTLY... ABOUT 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE MY CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON...LOSING GAS MILEAGE, CAR STALLED OUT A FEW TIMES, AND DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE ECM AGAIN... APPROXIMATELY AUGUST 2013. ONE YEAR LATER AUGUST 2014 SAME ISSUE AGAIN... ECM REPLACED AGAIN.. WHEN I TURN THE KEY ON, NOT STARTING IT THE CHECK EMISSION COMES ON AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL.. MY GAS MILEAGE IS 12 MPG AND IM AFRAID IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN SOON.. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING THIS ISSUE.. I DON'T KNOW WHY NO ONE WILL GET TO THE ROUTE OF THE PROBLEM WHY THE COMPUTER IN MY ESCAPE KEEPS FAILING. THEY WONT LET ME TRADE IT IN SINCE IT IS NOT ANY VALUE TO THEM ANYMORE.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672458
160,500 miles · Jan 13, 2015
Suspension
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND. WHEN INVESTIGATED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THIS WAS THE DIAGNOSIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672294
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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