TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11185881
19,209 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Steering
RANDOMLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED DOING WHAT FEELS SIMILAR TO A JERK MOVEMENT WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. I'VE NOTICED IT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS CITY STREETS. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF THAT, ONE DAY I STARTED THE CAR AND HAD A BLINKING 'WRENCH' ICON. SO AFTER LOOKING UP THE DETAILS I WAS ABLE TO FIND THAT THIS NORMALL…
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RANDOMLY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED DOING WHAT FEELS SIMILAR TO A JERK MOVEMENT WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. I'VE NOTICED IT OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS CITY STREETS. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF THAT, ONE DAY I STARTED THE CAR AND HAD A BLINKING 'WRENCH' ICON. SO AFTER LOOKING UP THE DETAILS I WAS ABLE TO FIND THAT THIS NORMALLY HAS TO DO WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR. I ALSO SAW DETAILS REGARDING A RECALL HOWEVER I'M UNSURE IF MY SUV WILL FALL UNDER THIS AS I FEEL IT SHOULD.
NHTSA ODI #11185731
180,000 miles · Mar 10, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
MY LIGHTS ON DASH WILL ALL RANDOMLY FLASH WHILE MY SPEEDOMETER AND RMP WILL STOP WORKING. MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO NOT SHIFT WELL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MY STEERING FEELS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND UNSAFE. I DON'T DARE TO DRIVE OVER 30MPH AND HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE BE ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG. MY STEERING HAS ALSO LOCKED A FEW TIMES,…
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MY LIGHTS ON DASH WILL ALL RANDOMLY FLASH WHILE MY SPEEDOMETER AND RMP WILL STOP WORKING. MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO NOT SHIFT WELL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MY STEERING FEELS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND UNSAFE. I DON'T DARE TO DRIVE OVER 30MPH AND HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE BE ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG. MY STEERING HAS ALSO LOCKED A FEW TIMES, USUALLY WHEN I'M IN REVERSE. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO MAKE IT WORK AGAIN. I FEAR FOR MY SON AND FAMILY EVERY TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK AND SCHOOL.
NHTSA ODI #11185708
89,540 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK A CURB WHEN MAKING A TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND A NEW STEERING COLUM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK A CURB WHEN MAKING A TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND A NEW STEERING COLUMN WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,540.
NHTSA ODI #11184669
139,000 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Service BrakesSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ABILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY. THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ABILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITH EXTREME DIFFICULTY. THE EPS WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR. THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. DICK MASHETER FORD (1090 S HAMILTON RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43227, (614) 861-7150) AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN 2014 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP15001 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RELATED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN SUGGESTING THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
NHTSA ODI #11184647
148,794 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Steering
POWER STEERING ELECTRIC. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING. STEERING COLUMN IS VERY NOISY. ELECTRIFING
NHTSA ODI #11183386
100,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FORWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FORWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED LEFT AND RIGHT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE WAS RE-CALIBRATED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11183263
175,588 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Steering
LAST WEEK THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN AT A STOP. YESTERDAY WE GOT AN ERROR CODE SAYING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE FOR OUR YEAR/MAKE/MODEL OF CAR FOR THE FORD PLANT WHERE OURS WAS BUILT (KANSAS CITY)…
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LAST WEEK THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN AT A STOP. YESTERDAY WE GOT AN ERROR CODE SAYING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE FOR OUR YEAR/MAKE/MODEL OF CAR FOR THE FORD PLANT WHERE OURS WAS BUILT (KANSAS CITY) BUT OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR US BUT TO CHARGE US FULL PRICE FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11182634
133,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Steering
THE STEERING IN MY CAR WAS AFFECTED. FIRST SIGNS OF ISSUE WERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHILE STOPPED, PARKED AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT AND THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20MPH. I WAS NOT TURNING AND WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE WHEELS TO TURN OFF INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ON…
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THE STEERING IN MY CAR WAS AFFECTED. FIRST SIGNS OF ISSUE WERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHILE STOPPED, PARKED AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT AND THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20MPH. I WAS NOT TURNING AND WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE WHEELS TO TURN OFF INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
NHTSA ODI #11182154
169,261 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK LEFT TO RIGHT AND STOPPED WORKING. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KAYSER FORD LINCOLN (2303 W BELTLINE HWY, MADISON, WI 53713, (608) 271-6000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ROTAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK LEFT TO RIGHT AND STOPPED WORKING. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KAYSER FORD LINCOLN (2303 W BELTLINE HWY, MADISON, WI 53713, (608) 271-6000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ROTATION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) IN 2014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,261.
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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