IllustrationTHE ALARM GOES OFF AT ALL HOURS EVERY DAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE LOCKED & PARKED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO WAY TO FIX IT UNLESS THE HORN WAS DISARMED. I FEEL THAT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE NO HORN.
2007 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
260–25K
3925–50K
4650–75K
3375–100K
50100–150K
17150K+
211 reports with mileage · 43 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.
- Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
254 reportsTHE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK TO BODY AREA IS 85% RUSTED OUT AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOZENS OF USED CAR LOTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A WELL KNOWN & DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPAIR AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE VEHICLE B…
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THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK TO BODY AREA IS 85% RUSTED OUT AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOZENS OF USED CAR LOTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A WELL KNOWN & DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPAIR AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN. I HAVE NO OF THAT NATURE. I CHECKED AROUND AS TO THE COST OF REPAIR; AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. APPROX: $600-1,000) THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE VECHILE'S VALUE. I FEEL THIS SITUATION IS NOT FAIR DUE TO THIS HARD TO DETECT SHODDY WORKMANSHIP DURING THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN PROCESS. I AM SURPRISED IT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LKIST. ACTUALLY I AM STUNNED. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS MATTER, AND GIVE ME YOUR FINDINGS. THANK YOU MUCH. HARRY J. CARTER, LLL
WHILE DRIVING ESCAPE AT APPROX 70MPH THE OVERDRIVE SENSOR SES LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE. STOPPED AND BORROWED A SCAN TOOL FROM A LOCAL GARAGE WE KNOW. CODES P0741 AND P1744 FOR TCC WERE FOUND. DROVE HOME APPROX 40 MILES. ESCAPE WAS SHIFTING POORLY AFTER EXITING EXPRESSWAY. LIMPED VEHICLE HOME.…
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WHILE DRIVING ESCAPE AT APPROX 70MPH THE OVERDRIVE SENSOR SES LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE. STOPPED AND BORROWED A SCAN TOOL FROM A LOCAL GARAGE WE KNOW. CODES P0741 AND P1744 FOR TCC WERE FOUND. DROVE HOME APPROX 40 MILES. ESCAPE WAS SHIFTING POORLY AFTER EXITING EXPRESSWAY. LIMPED VEHICLE HOME. NEXT DAY 11/14/2020 ATTEMPTED TO TAKE ESCAPE TO MECHANIC. ESCAPE HAD TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. ODOMETER READS APPROX 110,500 MILES ESCAPE WAS TOWED TO ACCURATE TRANSMISSION IN BELLEVUE, MI FOR POSSIBLE REPAIR. DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TOTAL REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2900. HEARD THAT SOME FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND WONDERED ABOUT 2007 FORD ESCAPE ISSUES.
AT 75,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY FAILED NH STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNIBODY AND SUBFRAME/ CONTROL ARM PASSENGER SIDE. THE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. OTHERWISE VEHICLE LOOKS DATED BUT NEW, TAKEN CARE OF WELL. EVEN THE ORIGINAL STEP BARS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE WITH LITTLE …
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AT 75,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY FAILED NH STATE SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNIBODY AND SUBFRAME/ CONTROL ARM PASSENGER SIDE. THE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. OTHERWISE VEHICLE LOOKS DATED BUT NEW, TAKEN CARE OF WELL. EVEN THE ORIGINAL STEP BARS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE WITH LITTLE TO NO RUST.FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE 2001-2004 MODEL YEARS FOR WHAT APPEAR TO BE THE SAME ISSUE AND WILL REMEDY BY INSTALLING AN ADDITIONAL BRACE. THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A GOOD/ SAFE IDEA TO ME
PASSENGER REAR FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SHOCK CAME RIGHT THROUGH THE TRUNK.
LOSS OF MAJOR ENGINE POWER AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. HAS NO ACCELERATION POWER ANYMORE LIKE IT DID A YEAR AGO TO NOW. REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS WITH NOW NEW ACCELERATION POWER AT ALL.
WHEN IT'S HOT ENGINE SHUTS OFF VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY
MY WIFE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. SHE THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. SHE MANAGED TO RETURN HOME. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURED, THE BRAKE RESERVOIR DRAINED TO THE SEPARATING PARTITION. THE FAILE…
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MY WIFE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. SHE THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. SHE MANAGED TO RETURN HOME. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HOSE RUPTURED, THE BRAKE RESERVOIR DRAINED TO THE SEPARATING PARTITION. THE FAILED HOSE HAD RUPTURED AT THE STRUT ATTACH BRACKET, OBVIOUSLY A FLEX POINT. THERE WERE OTHER FAILURE POINTS IN THE HOSE RUBBER COATING VISIBLE. I REPLACED THE HOSE AND INSPECTED THE FRONT LEFT HOSE. SAME FAILURE PATTERN, VERY EARLY LEAKAGE NOTED AT THE BODY HARDLINE CONNECTION AND THE STRUT ATTACH BRACKET. I REPLACED THAT HOSE AS WELL. REAR HOSES APPEARED COMPLETELY INTACT AND NO ISSUES NOTED. 71,600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS COMMON ISSUE ACROSS THE FORD ESCAPE LINE WHICH IS ALSO SOLD AS THE MAZDA TRIBUTE. NHTSA NOTES ONLY ONE INCIDENT, I FOUND 38 ON ONE SITE ALONE, HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/BRAKE-HOSES-LINES-PIPING-AND-FITTINGS-PROBLEMS.PHP A FAILURE OF ONE SYSTEM PUTS ALL THE PRESSURE ON THE REMAINING SYSTEM. AS SEEN IN OUR CASE THE REMAINING SYSTEM WAS SEVERELY COMPROMISED. I FIND IT DEEPLY DISTURBING THAT NHTSA HAS NOTHING IN THE RECALL ARENA ON THIS YET HAS 2 MINOR RECALLS, ONE BEING FOR AFTER MARKET AIRBAG -SEAT COVER INTERFERENCE ISSUES. REALLY? PERHAPS IF THE BRAKES WORK THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T BE DEPLOYED? I HAVE SEVERAL MORE PICTURES IF NEEDED.
FOR YEARS MY ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY, DURING THE DAY TO ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT. WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR THE LIGHT INSIDE WILL GO ON AND OFF AND ON DASHBOARD WILL SAY DOOR AJAR. I'VE CALLED FORD, I'VE ASKED THE DEALER AND I'VE ASKED MECHANICS NOT WITH FORD. SINCE THE ALARM IS BUILT INTO ENGINE IT CAN NOT BE DISABLED. ONLY OPTI…
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FOR YEARS MY ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY, DURING THE DAY TO ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT. WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR THE LIGHT INSIDE WILL GO ON AND OFF AND ON DASHBOARD WILL SAY DOOR AJAR. I'VE CALLED FORD, I'VE ASKED THE DEALER AND I'VE ASKED MECHANICS NOT WITH FORD. SINCE THE ALARM IS BUILT INTO ENGINE IT CAN NOT BE DISABLED. ONLY OPTION IS TO PULL HORN WIRE SO MY NEIGHBORS WILL NOT BE ANNOYED BY MY HORN AND ALARM SOUNDINGS AT ALL HOURS. I'VE RESEARCHED FOR YEARS HOW TO TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE, I'VE CHANGED MY CAR BATTERY, I'VE CHANGED BATTERY IN REMOTE...NOTHING IS WORKING. NOW THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH. HAD MY CAR IN THERE MANY TIMES FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT I REFUSE TO PAY 800. PER LATCH IN THE VEHICLE, SINCE THEY'RE NOT EVEN REALLY SURE IT'S A LATCH OR WHICH LATCH WOULD BE THE PROBLEM. I'M VERY LEARY ABOUT DISCONNECTING MY HORN FOR SAFETY ISSUES, BUT I'M LET WITH NO OTHER CHOICE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPE FOR YEARS AND YEARS. NOW IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE NOT JUST ANNOYING TO MY FAMILY AND THE NEIGHBORS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2007 FORD ESCAPE, IT BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHENEVER WE HIT A BUMP. I LOOKED UNDER THE REAR-PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST AND CORROSION AROUND THE SHOCK-ABSORBER. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, RUST HAS …
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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2007 FORD ESCAPE, IT BEGAN MAKING A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHENEVER WE HIT A BUMP. I LOOKED UNDER THE REAR-PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST AND CORROSION AROUND THE SHOCK-ABSORBER. OUR MECHANIC SAID THAT WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, RUST HAS CORRODED BOTH SIDES OF THE ATTACHMENT. HE DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Official recalls
215V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 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.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
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