NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
44 reportsClear category filter70,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED TO LOSE MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT ALSO DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED TO LOSE MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT ALSO DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11203068
42,644 miles · Dec 7, 2018
Power Train
2007 FORD ESCAPE - AT 42,644 MILES THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND NOT PICK UP SPEED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE REGULATOR VALVE..... AT 47,819 MILES THE CAR DID THE SAME THING , THIS TIME THE OD LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED…
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2007 FORD ESCAPE - AT 42,644 MILES THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN AND NOT PICK UP SPEED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE REGULATOR VALVE..... AT 47,819 MILES THE CAR DID THE SAME THING , THIS TIME THE OD LIGHT CAME ON, HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER , SEAL & PUMP , THEY CALL ME TO PICK UP THE CAR, WHEN I GOT THERE IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION.... AT 52,338 MILES THE CAR AGAIN DID THE SAME THING WITH THE FORWARD GEARS AND AGAIN THE OD LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AGAIN TOWED IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER - STICKING G VALE WHICH THEY REPLACED..... AT 53,175 MILES I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE IT WOULD MAKE A BANG AND WHEN MOVING WOULD SHAKE,, THEY TOLD ME THAT AWD FORDS DO THAT AND THAT I JUST NEVER NOTICED BEFORE.... AT 91,678 MILE REVERSE WENT OUT AND AGAIN THE FORWARD GEARS SHIFTS WHEN EVER.... THEY NOW TELL ME THAT THE WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11156893
171,485 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Power Train
POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION: WHEN I CRANK MY VEHICLE WHILE IN PARK WILL REMAIN RUNNING. WHEN I SHIFT GEARS INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD WITH CONSISTENT HESITATION WHEN BRINGING MY VEHICLE TO A STOP OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE BEGINS' TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN RUNNING, ONLY IF I SHIFT GEARS QUICKLY…
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POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION: WHEN I CRANK MY VEHICLE WHILE IN PARK WILL REMAIN RUNNING. WHEN I SHIFT GEARS INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD WITH CONSISTENT HESITATION WHEN BRINGING MY VEHICLE TO A STOP OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE BEGINS' TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WILL REMAIN RUNNING, ONLY IF I SHIFT GEARS QUICKLY INTO 2ND GEAR OR PARK AND KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND ONE ON THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY. THESE VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE RECALL ON MY FORD ESCAPE 2007 AT FORDMOTOR.COM WHERE THEIR IS WEB PAGE TO SUBMIT MY VIN NUMBER - SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VIN NUMBER. ADAMSON FORD BIRMINGHAM, AL., HAVE CONCLUDED THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE HAS GONE OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORMS ATTACHED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11127788
96,000 miles · Mar 5, 2018
Power Train
THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WE'RE HAVING WITH OUR ESCAPE STALLING AND NOT RUNNING. WE WENT TO A MECHANIC WHO EXPLAINED THERE HAVE BEEN MANY RECALLS ON ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS AND WE SHOULD REPORT THIS ONE AS WELL AS IT DOESN'T HAVE MANY MILES FOR ITS AGE.
NHTSA ODI #11076264
125,000 miles · Nov 10, 2017
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS OFTEN, AND FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS UNDER THE PEDAL, STOPPING IT FROM BEING DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN REDUCTION OF SPEED AND THEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PRESSING HARD TO GET THE PEDAL TO GO DOWN. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THROTTLE BODY'S IN ESCAPES FROM 2009-2012. I BELIEVE THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE MODEL …
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THE GAS PEDAL STICKS OFTEN, AND FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS UNDER THE PEDAL, STOPPING IT FROM BEING DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN REDUCTION OF SPEED AND THEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PRESSING HARD TO GET THE PEDAL TO GO DOWN. FORD PREVIOUSLY RECALLED THROTTLE BODY'S IN ESCAPES FROM 2009-2012. I BELIEVE THE 2007 FORD ESCAPE MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED TO THAT RECALL! THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY PROBLEM! MINE HAS BEING DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND HAS GOTTEN WAY WORSE SO IT WILL NEED TO BE FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #11045124
171,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
NHTSA ODI #11030838
129,000 miles · May 19, 2016
Power TrainFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT AND DRIVER HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND ODOR. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE VISIBLE BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVACUATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES, ONE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM SMOKE INHALATION AND NERVE DAMAGE. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM RIB PAIN AND SMOKE INHALATION. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10865873
80,000 miles · Apr 11, 2016
Power Train
WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, HAD TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT WAS GREEN MY CAR DID NOT GO. WAS ABLE TO GET IT TOWED AND FOUND OUT THE THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT. ONLY HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. DOES FORD KNOW ABOUT THE TRANSMISSIONS?
NHTSA ODI #10854949
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10854777
87,900 miles · Mar 24, 2016
Power Train
WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES AS I WAS EXITING INTERSTATE AND STATIONARY AT RED LIGHT VEHICLE BEGAIN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE MAKING A GRINDING NOSE AND VEHICLE STALLED. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IN MOTION WAS FINE AS I BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP TO MAKE LEFT TURN ON TO MY ROAD VEHICLE AGAIN BEGAIN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE A…
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WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY ISSUES AS I WAS EXITING INTERSTATE AND STATIONARY AT RED LIGHT VEHICLE BEGAIN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE MAKING A GRINDING NOSE AND VEHICLE STALLED. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND IN MOTION WAS FINE AS I BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP TO MAKE LEFT TURN ON TO MY ROAD VEHICLE AGAIN BEGAIN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE AND ALMOST STALLED AGAIN. PROBLEM AS BEEN BE DIAGNOSED AS BAD TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #10851319
Official recalls
2Sep 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.
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.
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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