NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
329 reportsClear category filter68,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE LTD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE PEDAL WOULD HESITATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START MOVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE LTD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE PEDAL WOULD HESITATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START MOVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAS THE VEHICLE BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN UPDATED 05/05/11
NHTSA ODI #10374792
51,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
A/C CONDENSER-TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAK. TRANS. OIL ALL OVER ENGINE BAY WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. CAR WANTS TO TAKE OFF ON IT'S OWN WHICH IS CAUSED WHEN TRANS. FLUID GETS LOW. PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE'S HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND FORD IS YET TO DO A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374711
72,771 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Power Train
I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT IN 2007. IN AUG. OF 08' I HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. THEY FOUND THAT THE PUMP SUPPORT WAS WORN AND WORN THROUGH THE SEAL RINGS. I WAS AT 29,094 MILES. FORD FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOW DECEMBER OF 10' AND I AM AT 73,000 MILES AND HAVING THE EXA…
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I BOUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT IN 2007. IN AUG. OF 08' I HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. THEY FOUND THAT THE PUMP SUPPORT WAS WORN AND WORN THROUGH THE SEAL RINGS. I WAS AT 29,094 MILES. FORD FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOW DECEMBER OF 10' AND I AM AT 73,000 MILES AND HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES ONLY THIS TIME I TOOK IT IN AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. THE TECH REPORT I RECEIVED STATES THE EXACT SAME THING IT DID WHEN I TOOK IT IN 08'. I WENT TO THIS WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2008/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_COOLER_FAILURE-TSB_EXISTS.SHTML AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I PAID 25,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH 2 TRANSMISSIONS! WHAT I NOTICED BOTH TIMES IS THAT IT WOULD SHIFT HARD INTO REVERSE AND IT FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SLIPPING ONCE IT WARMED UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370712
70,000 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Power Train
2008 FORD ESCAPE, BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DID GET IT MOVED OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC. BUT IT WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AND, AFTER 7 WEEKS AND FINDING OUT THAT IT IS ACTUALLY A RECALL AND FORD STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES, BUT JUST IF IT HAPPENS TO REPLACE IT. NOT E…
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2008 FORD ESCAPE, BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DID GET IT MOVED OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC. BUT IT WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AND, AFTER 7 WEEKS AND FINDING OUT THAT IT IS ACTUALLY A RECALL AND FORD STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES, BUT JUST IF IT HAPPENS TO REPLACE IT. NOT EVERYONE COULD BE SO LUCKY AS ME TO GET OUT OF IMMINENT DANGER! WHEN THIS GOES OUT, THE VEHICLE DIES WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369348
49,500 miles · Dec 4, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A FORD ESCAPE 08, AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT IT STARTED LEAKING AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH AT THE BEGINNING I THOUGHT IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER. BUT THEN SEARCHING ON THE WEB I REALIZED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE VEHICLE OIL COOLER TRANSMISSION AND NOW IT JUST DOESN'T STOP LEAKING ALOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369184
70,000 miles · Sep 9, 2010
Power Train
AFTER STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN AND WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS TO DRIVE OR SPEED UP THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL AND THEN KICK INTO GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD JERK AND THE TIRES WOULD SKID. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THEN MY CAR STOPPED DRIVING. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 10,000 MILES AND THE BAND BROKE INS…
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AFTER STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN AND WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS TO DRIVE OR SPEED UP THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL AND THEN KICK INTO GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD JERK AND THE TIRES WOULD SKID. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THEN MY CAR STOPPED DRIVING. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 10,000 MILES AND THE BAND BROKE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION SO NOW IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354641
20,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIN WAS UN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10332625
13,160 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Power Train
NO PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD, TOWED TO DEALER, TRANSMISSION WAS FILLED WITH METAL CHIPS AND WAS BURNT, REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED 1/4/2010, LASTED A MONTH, WOULD LURCH WHEN STARTING OUT, WHEN ENTERING INTERSECTION IT LURCHED INTO IT, RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER 2/10/20…
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NO PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD, TOWED TO DEALER, TRANSMISSION WAS FILLED WITH METAL CHIPS AND WAS BURNT, REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED 1/4/2010, LASTED A MONTH, WOULD LURCH WHEN STARTING OUT, WHEN ENTERING INTERSECTION IT LURCHED INTO IT, RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER 2/10/2010, INTERNAL CRACK WAS FOUND, NOW ON 3RD TRANSMISSION WITH NO CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326588
29,300 miles · Apr 19, 2010
Power Train
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND INTO THE PRIOR SELECTED GEAR. SUDDENLY, THE TIRES SCR…
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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND INTO THE PRIOR SELECTED GEAR. SUDDENLY, THE TIRES SCREECHED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEARS WOULD LOCK AND NOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. ALSO, THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,592.
NHTSA ODI #10326319
60,328 miles · Apr 16, 2010
Power Train
RECENTLY MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE STARTED HESITATING WHEN TAKING OFF. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SINCE I WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. TODAY AS I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT DOWN, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND DIED. IT APPEARS MANY 08 ESCAPE OWNERS ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED. S…
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RECENTLY MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE STARTED HESITATING WHEN TAKING OFF. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SINCE I WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. TODAY AS I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT DOWN, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND DIED. IT APPEARS MANY 08 ESCAPE OWNERS ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED. SOMEONE MAY BE KILLED IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325937
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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