NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
19 reportsClear category filter88,000 miles · May 1, 2015
Service BrakesSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TONE RING FRACTURED ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRONT DRIVER SIDE TONE RING FRACTURED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE TONE RINGS WERE APART OF THE FRONT AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DETAILS OF THE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TONE RING FRACTURED ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRONT DRIVER SIDE TONE RING FRACTURED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE TONE RINGS WERE APART OF THE FRONT AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10714035
40,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A KNOCK COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/03/15
NHTSA ODI #10639099
124,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Suspension
HIT SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR. VEHICLE BEGAN TO PITCH UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. WENT OVER ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM…
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HIT SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR. VEHICLE BEGAN TO PITCH UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. WENT OVER ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPES. HOWEVER, NO RECALLS, NO NOTICES TO OWNERS OF ANY POTENTIAL HAZARD. THE NEXT OWNER MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605508
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
NHTSA ODI #10548600
60,702 miles · Mar 12, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSuspension
FIRST, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED PER THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. WHILE DRIVING ON 03/09/13, NOTICED THE ABS DASH LIGHT STAYED LIT. THE 4WD DASH LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO BLINK INTERMITTENTLY. ON 03/11/13 I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE …
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FIRST, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED PER THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. WHILE DRIVING ON 03/09/13, NOTICED THE ABS DASH LIGHT STAYED LIT. THE 4WD DASH LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO BLINK INTERMITTENTLY. ON 03/11/13 I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN TONE RING ALONG WITH MARGINAL BRAKE PADS. REPORTEDLY THE ABS AND 4WD SENSORS ARE INTERCONNECTED. REPORTEDLY, THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO PITTED TO BE TURNED. QUESTIONED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS, NONE WERE LIST ON THE ESCAPE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS, THE PROBLEM WITH THE TONE RING IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE. WHILE WAITING ON HE REPAIRS, I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH REPEAT FAILURES OF THE PART. I PRESENTED THIS INFO TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT ANY RELIEF OR RECOURSE OTHER THAT I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS DONE AGAIN. ANOTHER NOTE, THE REPAIRS HAVE A 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. IF THE DEFECTIVE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE WARRANTY GOES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DATE OF INSTALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH POSSIBLE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS WHICH IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502471
53,339 miles · Sep 21, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE THE DEALER NOTICED THE FRONT STABILIZER LINK WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LINKS. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE THE DEALER NOTICED THE FRONT STABILIZER LINK WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LINKS. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,339.
NHTSA ODI #10426663
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2011
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHECKED AND ALL OF THE LINES WERE FLUSHED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STEERING, RACK AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10409093
46,000 miles · Jun 3, 2010
Service Brakes, ElectricSuspension
TONE RING FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AXLE. WHEN THE RING FAILS YOU LOSE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. FAILURE AT 46000 MILES. TWO WEEKS LATER TONE RING FAILURE ON DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE. THE AXLE MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE TONE RING. THE REPAIR COST 250.00 PER AXLE..DRIVING WITH THE ABS SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAN BE …
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TONE RING FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AXLE. WHEN THE RING FAILS YOU LOSE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. FAILURE AT 46000 MILES. TWO WEEKS LATER TONE RING FAILURE ON DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE. THE AXLE MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE TONE RING. THE REPAIR COST 250.00 PER AXLE..DRIVING WITH THE ABS SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAN BE DANGEROUS, AND THEREFORE THE AXLES MUST BE REPLACED..I BELIEVE THESE RINGS ARE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED POORLY... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334466
3,900 miles · Apr 24, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. ON APRIL 11, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. ON APRIL 11, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF LITHIA FORD STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 60 MPH. A FORD ENGINEER PROVIDED RELATED INFORMATION. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,900, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10188767
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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