The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The veh…
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The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #11521118
1 miles · Sep 13, 2019
Steering
TWO YEARS AGO OUR ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO FAULTY SENSORS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FRONTIER FORD IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY CHARGED ME $1200 TO GET IT FIXED. IN THE LAST 5 DAYS, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 3 DIFFERENT TIMES -- ALL WHILE DRIVING -- CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TURN-OFF THE VEHICLE AND …
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TWO YEARS AGO OUR ESCAPE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING DUE TO FAULTY SENSORS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO FRONTIER FORD IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY CHARGED ME $1200 TO GET IT FIXED. IN THE LAST 5 DAYS, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 3 DIFFERENT TIMES -- ALL WHILE DRIVING -- CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TURN-OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RE-START IT. IT'S MY WIFE'S ESCAPE -- SHE WEIGHS 106 LBS -- THANKFULLY, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURED (I'M 220 LBS, AND I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE W/O PWR STEERING. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE PWR STEERING WENT OUT, I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. TODAY IT WENT OUT ON ME WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE WARNING LIGHT AND BELLS CAME ON SAYING "PROBLEM WITH STEERING" -- I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN IT WOULD NOT RE-START. IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND RE-START -- IT FINALLY DID RE-START -- BUT ONLY AFTER INFURIATING A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE STUCK IN BACK OF ME DURING THEIR MORNING COMMUTE.
NHTSA ODI #11255357
159,000 miles · May 26, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheels
THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS WHERE THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. IN LATER YEARS THEY USED THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE PART OR AT LEAST REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CAR IS NOW P…
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THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS WHERE THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. IN LATER YEARS THEY USED THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE PART OR AT LEAST REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTILL FIXED
NHTSA ODI #11210070
129,165 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRIEGERS FORD (3205 NORTH HWY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRIEGERS FORD (3205 NORTH HWY 61, MUSCATINE, IA 52761) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,165.
NHTSA ODI #11184415
12,859 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Steering
THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 13,000 MILES ON IT AND THE POWER ASSIST TO THE STEERING HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE IS IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. THIS IS CLEARLY NO SIGN OF NEGLECT ON SUCH A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11157244
40,000 miles · Oct 15, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V2840000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10782382
94,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Steering
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS STILL NON FUNCTIONAL AND IS DUE TO BE EVALUATED NEXT WEEK. I AM GLAD THAT THE INCIDENT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF MY WIFE OR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE HAD A HARDE…
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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE AT 35 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS STILL NON FUNCTIONAL AND IS DUE TO BE EVALUATED NEXT WEEK. I AM GLAD THAT THE INCIDENT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING INSTEAD OF MY WIFE OR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY MAY HAVE HAD A HARDER TIME CONTROLING THE CAR SINCE THEY HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN CARS WITH POWER STEERING
NHTSA ODI #10748533
87,000 miles · Dec 18, 2014
Service BrakesSteering
RIGHT FRONT TONE RING CRACKED CAUSING ABS TO MALFUNCTION AND INABILITY TO BRAKE SAFELY. PART IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE POINT AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667075
100,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND THE SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE STALLING FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10585213
41,440 miles · Oct 20, 2013
SteeringSuspension
WHILE DRIVING ALONG A CURVE IN THE ROAD WITH NO ROAD HAZARDS APPARENT, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE CRACKED, CAUSING WARNINGS TO LIGHT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
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.
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.
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