NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
120 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Service Brakes
WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE THE BRAKE PETAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND REPAIR. AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR A NEW MASTER CYLINDER,ROTORS,CALIBERS,BRAKE PADS BLEEDING IF THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD TWO VALVES STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS PART SH…
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WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE THE BRAKE PETAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND REPAIR. AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR A NEW MASTER CYLINDER,ROTORS,CALIBERS,BRAKE PADS BLEEDING IF THE BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD TWO VALVES STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THIS PART SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR AND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO FORD ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODULE. FORD NEEDS A TO DO HE RIGHT THING AND DO A RECALL ON THEIR ABS MODULE.
NHTSA ODI #10967907
100,000 miles · Mar 17, 2017
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10966520
88,000 miles · Feb 3, 2017
Service Brakes
CONTINUAL BRAKE FAILURE.. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. WILL STOP AFTER REAPPLIED BUT WILL FEEL MUSHY! HAD MASTER CYLINDER, ONE WHEEL CYLINDER REPLACED AND THEY LASTED A FEW WEEKS WITH SAME SCENARIO HAPPENING AGAIN! LOCAL BRAKE SPECIALTY SHOP CAN'T GET TO THE BOTTOM OF PROBLEM! FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALL TO GET TO BOTTOM OF THIS PROB…
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CONTINUAL BRAKE FAILURE.. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. WILL STOP AFTER REAPPLIED BUT WILL FEEL MUSHY! HAD MASTER CYLINDER, ONE WHEEL CYLINDER REPLACED AND THEY LASTED A FEW WEEKS WITH SAME SCENARIO HAPPENING AGAIN! LOCAL BRAKE SPECIALTY SHOP CAN'T GET TO THE BOTTOM OF PROBLEM! FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALL TO GET TO BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #10949273
180,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017
Service Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LINE KINK OR COMPRESSED AND WOULD NOT FULLY RELEASE BRAKE WHILE DRIVING. BRAKE SUPERHEATED. NEEDED TOW REPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE LINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10948935
150,250 miles · Jan 19, 2017
Service Brakes
THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARED AS A DIGITAL READ OUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE BELIEVING IT TO BE A 'RESET' ISSUE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, UPON BACKING UP THESE LI…
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THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARED AS A DIGITAL READ OUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE BELIEVING IT TO BE A 'RESET' ISSUE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, UPON BACKING UP THESE LIGHTS APPEARED AGAIN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED ABS SELFTEST AND GOT CODE C1313-AO AND U2023-A0. THE CODES INDICATED THAT THE HCU (HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $5,900.00 REPAIR COST TO REPLACE HCU SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CAUTION US TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AND WE REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT SAFE DRIVING. HE SAID, "THE BRAKES WILL GET MUSHY AND WE WILL EVENTUALLY LOSING BRAKING POWER." CHECKED FORD WEBSITE TO DETERMINE WHETHER A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAD BEEN POSTED. NO RECALL BY FORD NOTED AT THIS TIME. A REVIEW OF ONLINE POSTS INDICATES THAT MANY ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HIGHWAY SAFETY IS CONCERNING TO OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10946312
260,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
Service Brakes
WHILE BREAKING HARD ON ROUGH ROAD THE BREAKS WILL LOOSE PRESSURE AND GO SOFT. THEY WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER A FEW TIMES AFTER THE CAR IS RESTARTED.
NHTSA ODI #10939268
137,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes
ABS CONTROL MODULE / HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HCU HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. IT HAS LEFT ME WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN ON THE HWY IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. IT IS A $6,000 REPAIR AND IT APPARENTLY REQUIRES A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE $4,000 PART, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE / HCU. …
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ABS CONTROL MODULE / HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT HCU HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. IT HAS LEFT ME WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING ABILITY. IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN ON THE HWY IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. IT IS A $6,000 REPAIR AND IT APPARENTLY REQUIRES A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE $4,000 PART, THE ABS CONTROL MODULE / HCU. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR FAULTY HCUS IN THESE CARS!
NHTSA ODI #10938496
235,000 miles · Oct 11, 2016
Service Brakes
WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, PLUS THE INFORMATION DISPLAY INDICATED "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKE DISABLED". I WAS STILL ABLE TO BRAKE, BUT NEEDED TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP AND THERE WAS A NEW NOISE WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL F…
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WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, PLUS THE INFORMATION DISPLAY INDICATED "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" AND "REGEN BRAKE DISABLED". I WAS STILL ABLE TO BRAKE, BUT NEEDED TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP AND THERE WAS A NEW NOISE WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, AFTER THE TECHNICIAN HAD CHECKED THE VEHICLE THEY INDICATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW HCU UNIT AND THE ESTIMATED COST WAS $5,200+
NHTSA ODI #10915224
33,601 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Service Brakes
A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH ONLY 33,585 MILES WAS PURCHASED ON 06/02/16. THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING SO I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY BLED THE BRAKES WHICH MADE THEM WORK. A 20 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT AGAIN ONLY AFTER 16 MILES FROM FORD DOING THE REPAIRS. SHE ALMOST…
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A 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WITH ONLY 33,585 MILES WAS PURCHASED ON 06/02/16. THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING SO I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY BLED THE BRAKES WHICH MADE THEM WORK. A 20 YEAR OLD GIRL WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT AGAIN ONLY AFTER 16 MILES FROM FORD DOING THE REPAIRS. SHE ALMOST WRECKED BUT MANAGED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND PULL OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY GOTTEN INJURED OR BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AT NO COST AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $4600.00 TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD PUTTING MANY LIVES AT RISKS FOR SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEM DEFECTS. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS TO THIS BRAKING SYSTEM AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. MOST INDIVIDUALS AND ESPECIALLY A 20 YEAR OLD GIRL CANNOT AFFORD A $4600.00 REPAIR. SHE SHOULD HAVE A SAFE, DEPENDABLE, AND AFFORDABLE VEHICLE .
NHTSA ODI #10888664
92,000 miles · Jul 10, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN BRAKING, IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP AND WAS LIKE YOU WERE STOPPING ON ICE. WHEN STARTING OUT AGAIN, IT TOOK AWHILE FOR MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNTIL IT COULD START AGAIN. I HAD MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER IN VEHICLE. THIS PRESENTED A DANGEROUS …
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ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN BRAKING, IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP AND WAS LIKE YOU WERE STOPPING ON ICE. WHEN STARTING OUT AGAIN, IT TOOK AWHILE FOR MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD UNTIL IT COULD START AGAIN. I HAD MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER IN VEHICLE. THIS PRESENTED A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT IMPEDED BRAKING ABILITY PLUS THE HESITATION WITH THE ACCELERATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI #10883869
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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