Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7425–50K
11950–75K
23375–100K
488100–150K
209150K+
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
What owners actually said
1,394 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Suspension
WE WERE DRIVING ALONG AND STARTED TO HEAR THIS BANGING NOISE WHICH WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. WHEN I FOUND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I DID, AND GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE. WHEN I GOT TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER I…
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WE WERE DRIVING ALONG AND STARTED TO HEAR THIS BANGING NOISE WHICH WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. WHEN I FOUND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I DID, AND GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE. WHEN I GOT TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT. I CAN ACTUALLY STICK MY HAND UP THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10599043
120,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
PROGRAM 13N03 THROTTLE BODY ISSUES GAS PEDAL LOCKS UP, JOLTS FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10598784
42,247 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME, THE REAR BODY SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY AND THE INTERIOR REAR QUARTER PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,247.
NHTSA ODI #10598669
68,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
StructureSuspensionWheels
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, UNDERMINING STRUT SUPPORT. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS HAVE MINIMAL TO NORMAL RUST WITH RUST PROOFING MATERIAL STILL IN PLACE. BODY OF VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AT ALL AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WASHED REGULARLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10598635
82,500 miles · Jun 15, 2014
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR IN HEAVY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH MY FOOT RESTING STEADILY ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND VIOLENTLY CAME TO SCREECHING HALT. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PLACED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR INTO REVERSE... I REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART TH…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR IN HEAVY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH MY FOOT RESTING STEADILY ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND VIOLENTLY CAME TO SCREECHING HALT. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PLACED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR INTO REVERSE... I REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS... I WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT GO OVER FIVE MILES PER HOUR AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE... A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED AND ALL SYSTEMS VIA LAPTOP SCAN TOOL APPEAR TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY... RESEARCHED INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVING THE SAME SCENARIO. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/IGNITION-COILS-FAILURE-PROBLEMS.PHP THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT OR ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOURS... CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THAT THERE ARE SO MANY ESCAPES FAILING THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR AS LONG AS 90 DAYS... THE PROBLEM IS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS (THERE ARE SIX) ARE DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY AND THESE PARTS CAUSE THE MAIN VEHICLE COMPUTER TO FAIL. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS AROUND $ 2,800.00... *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598403
105,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014
SuspensionWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL HAD CORRODED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL HAD CORRODED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10597932
210,729 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Suspension
WHILE WASHING THE CAR, I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL BIG ENOUGH TO STICK MY FIST THRU WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY METAL. THE SHOCK ABSORBER WILL SOON BE ATTACHED TO NOTHING. IT ALSO APPEARS THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND GETTING THIN. I AM UNSURE OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT AND WANT TO KNOW T…
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WHILE WASHING THE CAR, I NOTICED A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL BIG ENOUGH TO STICK MY FIST THRU WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY METAL. THE SHOCK ABSORBER WILL SOON BE ATTACHED TO NOTHING. IT ALSO APPEARS THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND GETTING THIN. I AM UNSURE OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT AND WANT TO KNOW THE SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVED. I ALSO WANT TO KNOW WHY FORD HAS NOT YET RECALLED THESE VEHICLES WHEN THE OLDER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN A 2004 AND A 2005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597501
65,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Structure
THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, COULD BREAK & CAUSE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THERE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE SUB FRAME FOR 2001 THRU 2004, MY VEH. MANUFACTURE DATE IS 12/2004, I CALLED THE DEALER & FORD MOTOR CORP. THEY STATED MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE CARS UNDER THE RECALL, THEY NEE…
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THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, COULD BREAK & CAUSE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THERE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE SUB FRAME FOR 2001 THRU 2004, MY VEH. MANUFACTURE DATE IS 12/2004, I CALLED THE DEALER & FORD MOTOR CORP. THEY STATED MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE CARS UNDER THE RECALL, THEY NEED TO EXTEND THE YEAR TO COVER THERE MISTAKE. I ASK FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE THEY SAID THERE WAS NONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597425
12,200 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FOGGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC WAS DETERIORATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FOGGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC WAS DETERIORATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS LENS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,200.
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.
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.
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.
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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