TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS DAUGHTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS DAUGHTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO PALMETTO FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT (1625 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,530.
NHTSA ODI #11316158
200,300 miles · Feb 29, 2020
Steering
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ROCK SIDE TO SIDE ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH AND THEN AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TAKING A CORNER THE ELECKTRONIC STEERING COMPLETELY FAIL ALMOST CAUSING US TO WRECK.
NHTSA ODI #11315331
80,490 miles · Feb 26, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING MODE DUE TO AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAULT RELATED TO THE TORQUE SENSOR. THE LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING REQUIRED HIGHER STEERING EFFORT AT LOWER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALER TO R…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING MODE DUE TO AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAULT RELATED TO THE TORQUE SENSOR. THE LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING REQUIRED HIGHER STEERING EFFORT AT LOWER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALER TO RUN SOME DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FROM FORD (14S05) FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE THAT IMPACTED MORE THAN 1 MILLION VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA. I AM TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL BUT IF IT IS THE SAME VEHICLE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11311631
137,000 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
NHTSA ODI #11311416
113,000 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM MASANO FORD, 815 LANCASTER AVE, READING, PA 1960…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM MASANO FORD, 815 LANCASTER AVE, READING, PA 19607, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #11311359
125,000 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Steering
THE CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF LONG TERM STORAGE 18 MONTHS AGO AND ALL THE RECALLS DONE. I HAVE TWO SAFETY ISSUES. FIRST OF ALL TWICE, I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE 80 MPH HIGHWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE TO USE MY MIGHT TO CONTROL THE STEERING MANUALLY WHICH CATCHES YOU OFF GUARD AND MAKES THE STEERING WHEEL …
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THE CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF LONG TERM STORAGE 18 MONTHS AGO AND ALL THE RECALLS DONE. I HAVE TWO SAFETY ISSUES. FIRST OF ALL TWICE, I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE 80 MPH HIGHWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE TO USE MY MIGHT TO CONTROL THE STEERING MANUALLY WHICH CATCHES YOU OFF GUARD AND MAKES THE STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE BOZEMAN FORD DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE. SECOND ISSUE THAT JUST OCCURRED AND NOW GETTING WORSE EACH TIME I DRIVE IS THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOUDLY SHAKING. THIS IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND BEGAN TO OCCUR WHENEVER I WAS STOPPED. NOW IT SEEMS TO BEGIN TO SHAKE WHILE I'M STARTING TO DRIVE AGAIN AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP AS WELL. IT SHAKES SO MUCH AND SO LOUDLY I'M AFRAID A CRUCIAL SCREW WILL POP OUT. I'M CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY AS I'VE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR...BUT YEARS AGO. IT'S HAPPENING TO ME NOW BECAUSE IT WAS IN STORAGE. FOR 4 YEARS. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING, I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT ON THIS CAR AS SOON AS I TOOK IT OUT OF STORAGE. I DO ALL THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT FORD DEALERSHIPS. I'M CONCERNED THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AS I'M AFRAID THESE TWO EVENTS ARE RELATED AND LOTS OF OTHER 2008 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THESE EVENTS TOOK PLACE IN 2019 AND 2020. MY STEERING IS HAVING ISSUES WITH STEERING POWER STOPPING WHILE DRIVING. SECONDLY I NOW HAVE A LOUD SHAKING STEERING WHEEL WH
NHTSA ODI #11311302
136,000 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Steering
WHEN STATIONARY (PARKED OR WITH BRAKE ON) STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY... LEADING TO TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AFTER 1.5 WEEKS CAR IS NO LONGER DRIVE-ABLE
NHTSA ODI #11310652
80,000 miles · Feb 19, 2020
Electrical SystemSteeringCrash
MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS BEEN OUT FOR SOME TIME NOW AND BEEN USING WITHOUT POWER STEERING. MY VEHICLE FITS THE EXACT DESCRIPTION AS THE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUR DEACRIBES AND WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE KC PLANT AS WELL AND IS A 2008 ESCAPE XLT BUT YET I'M LEFT RESPONSIBLE AND WOULD RATHER BLOW THE THING UP THAN FIX AND NE…
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MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS BEEN OUT FOR SOME TIME NOW AND BEEN USING WITHOUT POWER STEERING. MY VEHICLE FITS THE EXACT DESCRIPTION AS THE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUR DEACRIBES AND WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE KC PLANT AS WELL AND IS A 2008 ESCAPE XLT BUT YET I'M LEFT RESPONSIBLE AND WOULD RATHER BLOW THE THING UP THAN FIX AND NEVER DRUVE ANOTHER FORD AGAIN FOR THEM NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA ODI #11310221
95,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Steering
WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEEDS THE STEERING LOCKS UP. WHEN I FORCE IT, IT WILL BREAK LOOSE BUT THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO COME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM.
NHTSA ODI #11308890
174,300 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER CONTINUED DRIVING THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER CONTINUED DRIVING THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AND THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL TALLEY AUTOMOTIVE 5250 S LABURNUM AVE, RICHMOND, VA 23231, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,300.
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.
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.
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
3
DP15001 · 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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