NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
136 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Feb 8, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
STEERING WHEEL INITIALLY STARTED TO PULSATE AT STOP LIGHT.. NEXT INCIDENT I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED AND HAD STEERING BACK...NEXT INCIDENT STEERING WHEEL PULSATES WHILE DRIVING AND LOSES POWER STEERING WHILE AT SPEED.. PULL VEHICLE TO ROADSIDE AND RESTART AND REGAIN ST…
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STEERING WHEEL INITIALLY STARTED TO PULSATE AT STOP LIGHT.. NEXT INCIDENT I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING, TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED AND HAD STEERING BACK...NEXT INCIDENT STEERING WHEEL PULSATES WHILE DRIVING AND LOSES POWER STEERING WHILE AT SPEED.. PULL VEHICLE TO ROADSIDE AND RESTART AND REGAIN STEERING.. NOT HAVING THIS VEHICLE RECALLED TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS THE MOST INSANE THING I HAVE EVER HEARD OF.. IF A FRAIL PERSON OR ELDERLY HAS THIS HAPPEN TO THEM, PEOPLE WILL DIE.. ITS NOT A MATTER OF IF THIS HAPPENS BUT WHEN IT WILL.. IF IT HASN'T ALREADY.. ANYBODY READING THIS I HOPE YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN OR FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR ANYBODY FOR THAT MATTER DOES NOT DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS MATTER GOING UNRESOLVED... IT IS MINDBOGGLING THAT FORD TURNS ITS BACK ON THIS ISSUE..IM NOT ALONE IN THIS, THERE ARE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET.. CAN YOU IMAGINE A LOSS OR MULTIPLE LOSSES OF LIVES AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS BEING REGISTERED? PLEASE HELP *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563522
82,680 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BRAKING AT A STOP SIGN, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560323
65,000 miles · Jan 12, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
ON DEC 27 2013 WE WERE DRIVING ESCAPE . WHEN TRYING GO AROUND CURVE FORD LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHICH CAUSED US TO ALMOST HIT WALL. MY HUSBAND DROVE TO SIDE ROAD. SHUT IT OFF . WAITED FEW MINUTES STARTED IT POWER STEERING WAS BACK. TOOK IT TO GARAGE WAS TOLD POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS GOING OUT . WAS TOLD IT BE 1123.00 COST. IT…
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ON DEC 27 2013 WE WERE DRIVING ESCAPE . WHEN TRYING GO AROUND CURVE FORD LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHICH CAUSED US TO ALMOST HIT WALL. MY HUSBAND DROVE TO SIDE ROAD. SHUT IT OFF . WAITED FEW MINUTES STARTED IT POWER STEERING WAS BACK. TOOK IT TO GARAGE WAS TOLD POWER STEERING SENSOR WAS GOING OUT . WAS TOLD IT BE 1123.00 COST. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JANUARY 3RD 2014. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT FORD KNOWS ITS NOT WORKING RIGHT. NEED A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. OUR ESCAPE IS NOT ONLY ONE DOING IT. THE ONES WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ARE FAILING. I'M SCARED DRIVE IT MUCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559498
98,800 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
CAR STALLED WHEN DRIVING ON HWY IN SNOW STORM ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO, RPM'S CLIMB, JUST HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558611
141,231 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS OR EPAS) FAILED. THE CAR INSTANTLY LOST ALL ABILITY FOR POWER STEERING, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE EPAS CAN SOMETIMES BE RE-INSTITUTED BY STOPPING THE CAR (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT TIMES, OR FREEWAY), TUR…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS OR EPAS) FAILED. THE CAR INSTANTLY LOST ALL ABILITY FOR POWER STEERING, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE EPAS CAN SOMETIMES BE RE-INSTITUTED BY STOPPING THE CAR (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AT TIMES, OR FREEWAY), TURNING OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY ... WAITING 10 SECONDS, AND RESTARTING THE CAR. BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE SAME DRIVING INCIDENT. THE EPAS CONTINUES TO FAIL AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES, WITHOUT ALERTING THE DRIVER UNTIL FAILURE HAS OCCURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552127
123,543 miles · Sep 6, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
I WAS AWAKE SITTING AT MY DINNING ROOM TABLE, I SMELT SOMETHING (BURNT RUBBER) SO I CHECK ALL ROOM IN THE HOUSE. I WALK OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM MY FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS PARK. I WOKE MY KIDS, CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GRABBED THE WATER HOSE. ONCE THE FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ON THE SCENE, THEY OPENED THE DRIVER DOO…
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I WAS AWAKE SITTING AT MY DINNING ROOM TABLE, I SMELT SOMETHING (BURNT RUBBER) SO I CHECK ALL ROOM IN THE HOUSE. I WALK OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM MY FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS PARK. I WOKE MY KIDS, CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GRABBED THE WATER HOSE. ONCE THE FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ON THE SCENE, THEY OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, SMOKE EXITED THE DOORS EXPOSING OXYGEN CAUSING SOME FLICKERING OF THE FLAME TO START. WATER WAS DISCHARGED ONTO THE SMOLDERING INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE & COOLING DOWN IGNITION OF DASH AREA (RADIO IS LOCATED). THE HEAT WAS SO HOT THAT IT CRACKED FRONT WINDSHIELD, MELTED ALL PLASTIC FRAME INSIDE THE VEHICLE (MIDDLE AREA NEAR RADIO & SHIFT GEAR) AND BLACKEN ALL THE WINDOWS. ONCE FIRE WAS UNDER CONTROL, FIRE FIGHTER STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE. BATTERY CABLE WAS ALSO CUT TO PREVENT ANY DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. BUT THEN I WAS IN SHOCK JUST THINKING OMG! I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK ALL WEEK AND PARK IT LATER THAT NIGHT. TODAY I STILL DON'T KNOW THE ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED, VERY PUZZLING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FROM FORD DEALER ON THIS MODEL. UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR MY VEHICLE INSURANCE FOR ANOTHER MONTH SO THERE FORE AM STUCK WITH THE BILL. I BOUGHT THE USE VEHICLE AT DRIVE TIME IN PHOENIX ARIZONA AND THE FINANCE COMPANY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY SITUATION BUT FOR ME TO PAY THE VEHICLE OFF. LIKE I SAID I STILL DON'T KNOW THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE EXPECT IT WAS CAUSE BY WIRING. I COULD SEE THE V SHAPE OUTLINE OF WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. NOT ONLY THAT BUT I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION, I HAD TO TURN THE KEY ALL THE WAY AROUND IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START (NO RECALLS)? I AM STILL SAD BY ALL OF THIS BUT VERY THANKFUL THAT NO ONE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE......WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED?
NHTSA ODI #10542310
60,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE IN OVERDRIVE. IT THEN WENT OUT AND REVVED UP TO 5,000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN OVER DRIVE OR DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET REAR ENDED. I HAD TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AND LIMP IT HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515569
98,000 miles · Mar 21, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT, SAME ISSUE. AGAIN, YESTERDAY DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NO PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE, NO SOUNDS, NOTHING. IT JUST STALLED. STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY. NO PROBLEMS DRIVING AFTER EXCEPT IT DID FEEL LIKE IT JERKED A BIT (ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE EXCEPT NOW I AM VERY AWARE OF THIS) ON TWO OCC…
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THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT, SAME ISSUE. AGAIN, YESTERDAY DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NO PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE, NO SOUNDS, NOTHING. IT JUST STALLED. STARTED UP RIGHT AWAY. NO PROBLEMS DRIVING AFTER EXCEPT IT DID FEEL LIKE IT JERKED A BIT (ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE EXCEPT NOW I AM VERY AWARE OF THIS) ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER THE STALL. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASES AS A USED VEHICLE BACK IN JAN. IT IS A 2008. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT YESTERDAY ON THIS SAME ISSUE WHICH OCCURRED JUST IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AND AGAIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. SO THIS IS THE 4TH "STALL" SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 7 WEEKS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503874
61,250 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO PREVIOUS INCIDENT. $10486901 HAVING SPENT THE PREVIOUS ($900) TO FIND THE PROBLEM, CUSTOMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THEY AGREED WITH THE OTHER MECHANICS THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ANYTHING IN WRITING TILL I PAID THEIR DIAGNOSTI…
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THIS IS AN UPDATE TO PREVIOUS INCIDENT. $10486901 HAVING SPENT THE PREVIOUS ($900) TO FIND THE PROBLEM, CUSTOMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP. THEY AGREED WITH THE OTHER MECHANICS THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ANYTHING IN WRITING TILL I PAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC FEE ($135) AND SAW FOR THEMSELVES. I AGREED. NOW I HAVE SPENT ANOTHER ($1120) TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I ALSO HAVE IN WRITING FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE SPEED CANNOT BE VIEWED WHILE DRIVING (IT READS 0 MPH) AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CONTACT ME FOR THE NEXT STEP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503061
109,006 miles · Mar 7, 2013
Electrical SystemSteeringCrashInjury
POWER STEERING GOES OUT FOR NO REASON. IT CLICKS IN THE HOUSING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, IN THE STEERING COLUMN. NEEDED TO ADD THAT WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL INJURIES AND MORE THAN ONE ACCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501968
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
May 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
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
3DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
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
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