NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
254 reports6,000 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Seats
I KNOW THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS AN ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I AM PURCHASING A VEHICLE FOR $22,000. MY SEATS ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE STAIN GUARD, AND HAVE A WARRANTY SO WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDS GREAT! I DO LOVE MY CAR BUT I HATE THE FABRIC ON MY SEATS. IT STAINS FROM WATER, RAIN, CONDENSATION OF THE BO…
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I KNOW THIS COMPLAINT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS AN ISSUE HOWEVER WHEN I AM PURCHASING A VEHICLE FOR $22,000. MY SEATS ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE STAIN GUARD, AND HAVE A WARRANTY SO WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDS GREAT! I DO LOVE MY CAR BUT I HATE THE FABRIC ON MY SEATS. IT STAINS FROM WATER, RAIN, CONDENSATION OF THE BOTTOM OF A BOTTLE, CUP, CAN, OR SPORTS BOTTLE, ANY TYPE OF WATER YOU NAME IT . ITS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE AND IS GOING TO BE USED IN THE RAIN. WE DON'T EVEN EAT IN IT AND I DON'T ALLOW DRINK BESIDES WATER BUT I HAVE LEARNED THIS ALSO STAINS MY SEATS. YOU COULD POUR AN ENTIRE BOTTLE OF WATER OVER ANY MATERIAL IN MY HOME AND UNLESS ITS SILK IT WOULD NOT STAIN IT!!!!!!!! I AM GOING TO COMPLAIN TO EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTIL THE REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221122
17,500 miles · Jan 28, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS REAR ENDED AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. SHE WAS FORCED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CON…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS REAR ENDED AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. SHE WAS FORCED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INJURED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,500. UPDATED 03/04/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10216251
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2007
Unknown Or Other
2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID LOCK-OUT AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT ILLUMINATED PROPERLY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT PASSENGER SWITCH IS INOPERATIVE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE NIGHT DRIVING WOULD BE ENHANCED IF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND WINDOW LOCK OUT SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DOOR WAS BETTER ILLUMINATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206088
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2007
Air Bags
MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS 90 LBS. WHEN SHE SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR 2007 FORD ESCAPE, THE AIRBAG TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, DEPENDING ON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS OF HER POSTURE. THE DEALER HAS SEEN IT AND SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT, AS IT IS A FEDERALLY REGULATED SETTING. SO I GUESS WE'LL JUST NEVER KNOW IF M…
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MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS 90 LBS. WHEN SHE SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF OUR 2007 FORD ESCAPE, THE AIRBAG TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, DEPENDING ON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS OF HER POSTURE. THE DEALER HAS SEEN IT AND SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT, AS IT IS A FEDERALLY REGULATED SETTING. SO I GUESS WE'LL JUST NEVER KNOW IF MY DAUGHTER WILL HAVE A FUNCTIONAL AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10203067
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2007
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
I WAS TRAVELING NORTH AND THIS PERSON WAS GOING SOUTH, CROSSED THE CENTERLINE AND SLAMMED INTO ME, PUSHING ME BETWEEN TWO TREES AND TOTALING MY VEHICLE. IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME FROM SLAMMING MY FOREHEAD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY …
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I WAS TRAVELING NORTH AND THIS PERSON WAS GOING SOUTH, CROSSED THE CENTERLINE AND SLAMMED INTO ME, PUSHING ME BETWEEN TWO TREES AND TOTALING MY VEHICLE. IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME FROM SLAMMING MY FOREHEAD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO NOTHING AND SEND NO ONE TO SEE WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I ENDED UP BEING BROUGHT BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE X-RAYS SHOWED MY NECK WAS SPRAINED AND I HAD A SCRAPE TO MY FOREHEAD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10198976
41 miles · Aug 8, 2007
Power TrainInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41.
NHTSA ODI #10198819
10,000 miles · Jul 27, 2007
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON INDICATOR TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DISABLE THE AIR BAG ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE FUEL SYSTEM AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10197688
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2007
Tires
BOUGHT A 2007 FORD EDGE IN MAY 2007 WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES CROSS CONTACT LX 24560R18 IN A OPTION PACKAGE WITH A 17 INCH SPARE. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE HAD CAR AT DEALER FOR VIBRATION. DEALER BALANCED ALL 4 TIRES. WENT BACK SECOND TIME FOR TIRE VIBRATION MECHANIC AND DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL TIRE OPERATION. A…
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BOUGHT A 2007 FORD EDGE IN MAY 2007 WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES CROSS CONTACT LX 24560R18 IN A OPTION PACKAGE WITH A 17 INCH SPARE. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE HAD CAR AT DEALER FOR VIBRATION. DEALER BALANCED ALL 4 TIRES. WENT BACK SECOND TIME FOR TIRE VIBRATION MECHANIC AND DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL TIRE OPERATION. AT 40 MPH SLIGHT VIBRATION AS SPEED IS INCREASED 70 MPH IT WAS MORE PREVALENT. IT WAS NOT A SMOOTH RIDING TIRE NEVER FELT THIS WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE WE HAVE PURCHASED. FEEL THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH CONTINENTAL REPUTATION AND ONLY 300 MILES ON VEHICLE AT THAT TIME AND NOW CLOSE TO 1000 MILES NOW. NEED NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS TIRE BECAUSE OF DEALERS AND FORDS NEGLECT. DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS THE TIRES OR THE VEHICLE. WITH FORD'S PROBLEM WITH THEIR TIRES IN THE PAST AND WITH THE INJURIES AND DEATHS THAT HAD OCCURRED I THINK THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BY NHTSA AND FORD. RODE IN ANOTHER FORD EDGE WITH THE SAME TIRES WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP SAME PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION BUT NOT AS BAD AS MY PERSONAL VEHICLE. OWNER OF DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. OWNER OF DEALERSHIP MADE A CALL TO REPRESENTATIVE OF FORD FOR OUR AREA WAITING FOR A DATE TO MEET WITH HIM AND DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM AS OF TODAY. TRYING TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT MY TIRE NAME AND SIZE AND VEHICLE NAME WAS NOT ON YOUR LIST SO I JUST PICKED ONE SO I COULD SEND THIS TO YOU AGAIN MY TIRE IS CONTINENTAL CROSS CONTACT LX 24560R18 ON A 2007 FORD EDGE. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10196572
45 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Air BagsFuel System, Other
SINC E PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF, AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO FORD DELERSHIP IN MARCH, 2007, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10193738
1,030 miles · May 25, 2007
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE LIFTGATE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIFTGATE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 1,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,030.
NHTSA ODI #10191711
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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