NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
254 reports143,000 miles · May 25, 2020
Service Brakes
BRAKE WARMING LIGHT AND MESSAGE. BRAKES WORK BUT ONLY PARTLY - OKAY FOR GENERAL DRIVING BUT NOT FOR EMERGENCY STOPS. DIAGNOSED BY FORD DEALER FOR OVER $5000 IN REPAIR. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD ESCAPE HYBRID VEHICLES, BUT FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE OBVIOUSLY FAULTY UNITS. THIS SHOULD B…
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BRAKE WARMING LIGHT AND MESSAGE. BRAKES WORK BUT ONLY PARTLY - OKAY FOR GENERAL DRIVING BUT NOT FOR EMERGENCY STOPS. DIAGNOSED BY FORD DEALER FOR OVER $5000 IN REPAIR. QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD ESCAPE HYBRID VEHICLES, BUT FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE OBVIOUSLY FAULTY UNITS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL UNITS, OR AT LEAST FREE REPAIR FOR FAILED UNITS. THE REPLACEMENT IS MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. THERE ARE ONLY 143,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND OTHERWISE IT WORKS FINE.*DT*JB*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11325872
70,000 miles · Apr 30, 2020
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY PULLED TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY PULLED TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11322831
150,000 miles · Feb 19, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11310079
7,000 miles · Feb 9, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesCrash
WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, MILEAGE 67,000, COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AND WILL BE IF NOT CORRECTED. MANY EXACT COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMING TO LIGHT. HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A WOODED AREA FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. FELT LIKE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING ON…
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WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASING VEHICLE, MILEAGE 67,000, COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AND WILL BE IF NOT CORRECTED. MANY EXACT COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMING TO LIGHT. HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A WOODED AREA FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. FELT LIKE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING ON ROAD. LATER REALIZED IT WAS A ABS SYSTEM FAILURE NOT SLIDING. ABS LIGHT IS ON. BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICE LIGHT ON. EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE TIME, WHEN FIRST DRIVING VEHICLE, ONLY THE SERVICE BRAKE DISPLAY IS ON. THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO BUCK/STUTTER, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. AFTER ACCELERATING, THAT STOPS AND RETURNS TO WHAT I DESCRIBED.ABOVE. I READ SINCE THERE WERE NO FATALITIES REPORTED FORD WILL NOT RECALL. I AM CERTAIN THERE HAVE BEEN FATALITIES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, JUST NOT IDENTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #11307988
60,700 miles · Jan 14, 2020
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,700.
NHTSA ODI #11299380
140,000 miles · Dec 29, 2019
Power TrainStructureSuspension
WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE & MAKING LEFT TURNS IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION JUST FELL OUT. I'M ENCLOSING SOME DOCUMENTS OF RECALLS THAT I'VE FOUND. MY TRUCK IS ALSO RUSTING OUT SO BAD THAT WHEN I PUT MY GRANDSON IN HIS CAR SEAT, THE LEGS OF MY PANTS GET CAUGHT ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11291899
79,526 miles · Oct 2, 2019
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A BEEPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RED MCCOMBS FORD (210-996-2678, LOCATED AT 8333 W IH 10, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A BEEPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RED MCCOMBS FORD (210-996-2678, LOCATED AT 8333 W IH 10, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78230) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,526.
NHTSA ODI #11265753
89,236 miles · Sep 26, 2019
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. DURING A RECENT TRIP, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED ALMOST 90 DEGREES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRAME RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED MUELLER FORD (175 N AVON AVE, PHILLIPS, WI 54555, (715) 339-3045) WHERE THE FRAME RUST WAS CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. DURING A RECENT TRIP, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED ALMOST 90 DEGREES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRAME RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED MUELLER FORD (175 N AVON AVE, PHILLIPS, WI 54555, (715) 339-3045) WHERE THE FRAME RUST WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE RIGHT AFTER LABOR DAY AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,236.*PM*JB
NHTSA ODI #11258348
121,150 miles · Sep 23, 2019
StructureCrash
I HAD PARKED MY VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER ON PINE CREST DRIVE, A PUBLIC STREET WITH NO DESIGNATED PARKING. THERE IS ABOUT ROOM FOR 3 VEHICLES TO BE PARKED IN THIS AREA, OR 2 VEHICLES IF ONE HAS A TRAILER. I WAS PARKED IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE IT WAS MY CLOSEST OPTION, AND THEN HAD LEFT IT THERE FOR A COUPLE DAYS WHILE I WAS IN BED S…
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I HAD PARKED MY VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER ON PINE CREST DRIVE, A PUBLIC STREET WITH NO DESIGNATED PARKING. THERE IS ABOUT ROOM FOR 3 VEHICLES TO BE PARKED IN THIS AREA, OR 2 VEHICLES IF ONE HAS A TRAILER. I WAS PARKED IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE IT WAS MY CLOSEST OPTION, AND THEN HAD LEFT IT THERE FOR A COUPLE DAYS WHILE I WAS IN BED SICK, BY THEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS GONE. A FAMILY FRIEND WITNESSED THE OTHER DRIVER COME BY WITH HIS 2003 GMC SIERRA, TRY TO PARK HIS VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE, AND BACKED INTO ENOUGH TO MOVE IT 6 INCHES. THERE ARE SOME SCRATCHES AND THE BODY IS BENT A BIT. INITIALLY AFTER TALKING TO HIM WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION HE WOULD COME BACK TO US AFTER CALLING HIS INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT APPARENTLY HE THOUGHT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE UNTIL AN ESTIMATE WAS WRITTEN UP AND CONFRONTED AGAIN. AT THAT TIME HE ADMITTED TO BACKING INTO MY VEHICLE INTENTIONALLY BECAUSE IT WAS "HIS" PARKING SPOT. AFTER CALLING THE DANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WE WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO INVESTIGATION AND NO POLICE REPORT, BUT THAT WE SHOULD FILE HERE.
NHTSA ODI #11257519
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
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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