NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
36 reportsClear category filter10,700 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST FAILURE -- SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE. ON HIGHWAY...OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 5 F ABOVE ZERO. TWO CHILDREN IN CAR (ONE YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD). WITHOUT WARNING (AND DURING A 45 DEGREE CURVE) THE STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT AND AT FIRST THE STEERING ASSIST ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE STEERING AND THAT MADE MATTERS…
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ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST FAILURE -- SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE. ON HIGHWAY...OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 5 F ABOVE ZERO. TWO CHILDREN IN CAR (ONE YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD). WITHOUT WARNING (AND DURING A 45 DEGREE CURVE) THE STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT AND AT FIRST THE STEERING ASSIST ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE STEERING AND THAT MADE MATTERS WORSE -- HOLDING THE WHEEL STEADY AND CONTINUING THRU THE TURN WAS A CHALLENGE (AND, I AM 'STOUT' GUY!). GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY ASAP. THEN AN ELECTRIC BURN SMELL STARTED..STEERING COLUMN (?). GOT THE GRAND KIDS OUT OF THE CAR (INTO THE 5 DEGREE TEMP) IN A HURRY! CAR NOW IN THE SHOP . $2,000 REPAIR AND MAY NOT BE COMPLETE. WILL FIND OUT FINAL NUMBER TODAY.
NHTSA ODI #11062100
241,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. AFTERWARDS WHEN I WOULD IDLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SHAKY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. NOW IT SHAKES EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING AND WILL GET JERKY OR STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN I'M PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY! FROM WHAT…
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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING. AFTERWARDS WHEN I WOULD IDLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME SHAKY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. NOW IT SHAKES EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING AND WILL GET JERKY OR STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN I'M PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY! FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS HAPPENS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD OWNERS. THE POWER STEERING SIMPLY GIVES OUT AND THEY WANT YOU TO PAY $1,500 TO HAVE THE WHOLE COLUMN REPLACED!
NHTSA ODI #11058036
118,000 miles · Sep 6, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
I WAS DROPPING MY CHILD OFF AT SCHOOL. I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND WHEN I PULLED OUT AND WENT TO USE MY BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE PEDAL VIBRATED LIKE ABS WAS ENGAGED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT IT WAS VERY SLOWLY. I WAS GOING UNDER 10 MPH.WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE AGAIN MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AN…
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I WAS DROPPING MY CHILD OFF AT SCHOOL. I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND WHEN I PULLED OUT AND WENT TO USE MY BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE PEDAL VIBRATED LIKE ABS WAS ENGAGED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT IT WAS VERY SLOWLY. I WAS GOING UNDER 10 MPH.WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE AGAIN MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND YOU COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF THE TRACTION CONTROL BEING ENGAGED. I HAD TO STOP TWO MORE TIMES ON MY WAY HOME AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO BY DRIVING ONLY 5 MPH WITH MY FOUR WAYS ON. THE TRACTION CONTROL SOUND WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND VIBRATE. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND MAKE SOUNDS. I WAS ONLY 1 MILE FROM HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHILE I WAS MAKING A SHORT TRIP UNDER 3 MILES BOTH WAYS. IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND PULLED OUT. AFTER DOING SOME REASEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND THAT I WAS DRIVING SLOW AT THE TIME. I JUST DROPPED MY CHILD OFF AT SCHOOL. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT ANOTHER TIME WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. I HAVE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TODAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. SINCE THIS IS A COMMON AND SERIOUS PROBLEM I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #11021800
138,100 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING FORD SAFETY RECALL # 14S05. LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE. FORD ISSUED RECALL IN JULY 2014. MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN AUGUST 2014. SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED AND TORQUE SENSOR WAS FOUND TO BE FUNCTIONING AND WAS NOT REPLACED. THE RECALL PERTAINED TO LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WOU…
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MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING FORD SAFETY RECALL # 14S05. LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO TORQUE SENSOR FAILURE. FORD ISSUED RECALL IN JULY 2014. MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN AUGUST 2014. SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED AND TORQUE SENSOR WAS FOUND TO BE FUNCTIONING AND WAS NOT REPLACED. THE RECALL PERTAINED TO LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WOULD DEFAULT TO MANUAL STEERING. I PURCHASED MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN OCT 2014 AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. FORD SAYS THE RECALL WAS COMPLETE. I DISAGREE AND AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA ODI #10980278
114,044 miles · Jan 29, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE STEERING BECAME UNMANAGEABLE. ALMOST CRASHED WITH MYSELF AND MY KID. OTHER VINS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM YET MINE IS NOT LISTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10948367
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE STARTING THE CAR THE WHEEL STARTED SHAKING, YOU CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE...WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE WHEEL SHAKES NON STOP AND THE NOISE CONTINUES, FOLLOWED BY A CODE SAYING (POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT). IT'S GETTING WORSE THE MORE WE DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10945507
830,741 miles · Nov 14, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND TURNING A CORNER, MY POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I ALMOST DROVE INTO ANOTHER CAR, SO TO AVOID COLLIDING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC I WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT ACCORDING TO THIS WEB SITE IT IS. WHAT DO I …
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AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND TURNING A CORNER, MY POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I ALMOST DROVE INTO ANOTHER CAR, SO TO AVOID COLLIDING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC I WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT ACCORDING TO THIS WEB SITE IT IS. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO, CRASH?
NHTSA ODI #10926011
115,412 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES. THE FAILURES INCLUDED THE LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, STABILITY CONTROL, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES. THE FAILURES INCLUDED THE LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, STABILITY CONTROL, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,412.
NHTSA ODI #10850818
135,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT LUNGE FORWARD, WHICH IT HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY THE CAR STALLED, THEN LUNGE FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS SCARED THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS GOING TO HIT ME. PLEASE HELP ALL THE FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. …
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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT LUNGE FORWARD, WHICH IT HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY THE CAR STALLED, THEN LUNGE FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS SCARED THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS GOING TO HIT ME. PLEASE HELP ALL THE FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALER, HOPING THEY CAN RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HAD MY VEHICLE FOR A YEAR YET, JUST BROUGHT IT LAST YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10838913
3,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
ALL THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED BY CAPITOL CITY FORD INDIANAPOLIS AND MACE FORD TERRE HAUTE, IN. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE THRUST AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY MY CAR WILL NOT START. OTHER MECHANICS SAID IT WAS THE STARTER, ITS NOT THE STARTER ITS ELECTRICAL SENSORS. THE VEHICLE SPEEDS UP SOMETIMES WHEN …
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ALL THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED BY CAPITOL CITY FORD INDIANAPOLIS AND MACE FORD TERRE HAUTE, IN. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE THRUST AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY MY CAR WILL NOT START. OTHER MECHANICS SAID IT WAS THE STARTER, ITS NOT THE STARTER ITS ELECTRICAL SENSORS. THE VEHICLE SPEEDS UP SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS NOT BEING EXCELERATED. SUSPENSION, HEATER SPEED CONTROL STOP WORKING WHEN THEY WORKED ON THE ELECTRICAL AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THERE IS MORE. I DON'T HAVE MY DOCUMENTATION, BUT I WILL SUBMIT IT LATER. THE CAR IS AT THE SHOP - BEING LOOKED AND WORKED ON - ITS STILL NOT STARTING - SO WE DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION!! I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER HIT FROM FORD WHEN THEY ARE NOT EVEN FIXING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10778672
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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