NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,394 reports75,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Structure
WHILE DRIVING MY ESCAPE I HEARD A LOUD METAL BANGING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL IS ROTTED OUT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S SO BAD THAT THE ENTIRE SHOCK IS NO LONGER CONNECTED. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NO REAL RUST PROBLEM BESIDES THIS. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE RECALL. I…
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WHILE DRIVING MY ESCAPE I HEARD A LOUD METAL BANGING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL IS ROTTED OUT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. IT'S SO BAD THAT THE ENTIRE SHOCK IS NO LONGER CONNECTED. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NO REAL RUST PROBLEM BESIDES THIS. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A HUGE RECALL. I HAD MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT WHEN IT HAPPENED. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT WAS INVOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619495
104,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
SteeringStructure
I DRIVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN A 'SALT BELT' STATE - NEW YORK. I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE PER MY FORMER MECHANIC BY RIGHT REAR WELL / SUB FRAME HAS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO WHERE MY SHOCK TOWER HITS THE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK. THE REPLACEMENT IS OVER $1050. I KNOW THAT THE 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON. THIS …
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I DRIVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN A 'SALT BELT' STATE - NEW YORK. I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE PER MY FORMER MECHANIC BY RIGHT REAR WELL / SUB FRAME HAS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO WHERE MY SHOCK TOWER HITS THE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK. THE REPLACEMENT IS OVER $1050. I KNOW THAT THE 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON. THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE 2005'S TO NOT BE RECALLED. SEE LINK BELOW: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2014/FORD-RECALLS-ESCAPE-RUSTED-SUBFRAME.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619036
110,000 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FENDER. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FENDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10618789
128,000 miles · Aug 3, 2014
Suspension
PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SHOCK SUPPORT AND UNI-BODY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS SHOWING UP ON THIS ALL IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, AND AT THE SAME MILEAGE RANGE. THIS IS DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD BEFORE DEATHS …
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PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SHOCK SUPPORT AND UNI-BODY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS SHOWING UP ON THIS ALL IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, AND AT THE SAME MILEAGE RANGE. THIS IS DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD BEFORE DEATHS START HAPPENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618519
104,000 miles · Aug 2, 2014
Suspension
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I SLOWLY ACCELERATED TO AROUND 25MPH AS I USUALLY DO WHEN LEAVING MY HOME. MY VEHICLE, WHICH NORMALLY QUIETLY GLIDES OVER SMALL DENTS IN THE ROAD, WAS NOW MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WITH EVERY BUMPY ENCOUNTER, AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS NO SHOCK ABSORPTION WHATSOEVER ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. AT T…
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AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I SLOWLY ACCELERATED TO AROUND 25MPH AS I USUALLY DO WHEN LEAVING MY HOME. MY VEHICLE, WHICH NORMALLY QUIETLY GLIDES OVER SMALL DENTS IN THE ROAD, WAS NOW MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WITH EVERY BUMPY ENCOUNTER, AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS NO SHOCK ABSORPTION WHATSOEVER ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. AT THE TIME, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE WHEEL WELL, JUST UNDERCOATING, SO I DROVE ON THINKING IT MAY BE A STRUT IN NEED OF REPLACING. THE NOISE NEVER STOPPED AFTER THAT DAY, AND I REALIZE NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF THE ESCAPE AND THE WINDSTAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY REASON (DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND ASSEMBLY, INVOLVING RIGHT RUSTED STRUT MOUNT) BUT FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, FORD HAS NOT YET PLACED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2005 ESCAPE. I SPOKE ABOUT THIS DEFECT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE SAME DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE AS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT AGREED THAT FORD HAS NOT YET PUT OUT AN OFFICIAL RECALL, WHICH MEANS I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR. WHAT'S MORE UPSETTING IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOW IN NEED OF INSPECTION AND I UNDERSTAND IT WON'T PASS WITHOUT THIS REPAIR BEING MADE. I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS ALSO A DANGEROUS ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618388
43,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10616370
88,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Structure
WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR INNER WHEEL WELL HAD A LARGE HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT IT WILL SOON AFFECT THE SHOCK MOUNT AND CAUSE THE SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE VEHICLE AT THE TOP MOUNT, WHICH COULD PROVE QUITE DANGEROUS. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FO…
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WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR INNER WHEEL WELL HAD A LARGE HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT IT WILL SOON AFFECT THE SHOCK MOUNT AND CAUSE THE SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE VEHICLE AT THE TOP MOUNT, WHICH COULD PROVE QUITE DANGEROUS. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615894
145,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Suspension
I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL SHOCK MOUNT SUPPORT HAS RUSTED AWAY AND NOW THERE IS A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK. SAME ISSUE THAT IT APPEARS MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING. $2200 IS THE ESTIMATE TO GET THIS FIXED. BACK LEFT WHEEL WELL IS JUST FINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615620
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2014
StructureSuspension
CPSC: I1470151A. 2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK FELL OFF. THE OTHER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND APPEARED TO BE FALLING OFF, AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10615480
187,750 miles · Jul 19, 2014
Suspension
I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL SHOCK MOUNT SUPPORT HAS RUSTED AWAY AND NOW THERE IS A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK. WAS CURIOUS AS TO IF FORD WAS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY A 188,000 MILES ON IT NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10614756
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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