NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,127 reportsClear category filter180,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Steering
STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. AS I WENT TO BACK OUT, I REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. TURNED VEHICLE OF, THEN BACK ON AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. HOWEVER, NOW THE STEERING CHATTERS AT IDLE. AFTER HAVING READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SIGHT, I DECIDED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST. OVER 1/3 OF ALL THE COMPLAINT…
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STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT. AS I WENT TO BACK OUT, I REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. TURNED VEHICLE OF, THEN BACK ON AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK. HOWEVER, NOW THE STEERING CHATTERS AT IDLE. AFTER HAVING READ THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SIGHT, I DECIDED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST. OVER 1/3 OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FOR THIS MODEL ARE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564752
100,467 miles · Feb 16, 2014
Steering
TWICE THIS MORNING, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEGUN TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE MOVEMENTS ARE SMALL, RAPID ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHILE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM REPORTED WITH THIS 1ST YEAR MODEL FORD ESCAPE WITH "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING", AND HAS BEEN CITED, BY MAN…
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TWICE THIS MORNING, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEGUN TO MOVE ON ITS OWN. THE MOVEMENTS ARE SMALL, RAPID ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHILE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A GROWING PROBLEM REPORTED WITH THIS 1ST YEAR MODEL FORD ESCAPE WITH "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING", AND HAS BEEN CITED, BY MANY, TO RESULT IN NUMEROUS, NO-WARNING, LOSSES OF POWER STEERING. THE PROBLEM REPORTED IS A MALFUNCTIONING STEERING TORQUE SENSOR, AND THE REPAIR IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, PART #3C529 ($908.00) PLUS LABOR. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564604
120,000 miles · Feb 16, 2014
Steering
I DON'T KNOW WHO TO CONTACT BUT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LOSS. THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES. THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING CONTROLLING THE ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE. YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART TO GET POWER STEERING TO COME BACK. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHILE MOVING AT A FAST SP…
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I DON'T KNOW WHO TO CONTACT BUT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING LOSS. THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES. THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING MAKING CONTROLLING THE ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE. YOU HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART TO GET POWER STEERING TO COME BACK. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHILE MOVING AT A FAST SPEED IT WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TOMORROW BUT THERE HAS BEEN HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS SITUATION (HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/FORD/ESCAPE/STEERING). FORD ESTIMATED REPAIR PRICE IS $1700. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564603
115,000 miles · Feb 15, 2014
Steering
WHEN I START THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY I HAVE NO POWER STEERING UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR A RESTART IT. ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING WILL GO OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564477
62,000 miles · Feb 15, 2014
Steering
WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, I NOTICED A "TWITCH" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL AS I WAS DRIVING. LATER, AGAIN WHILE SETTING STILL, I AGAIN NOTICED STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY "TWITCH" ON IT'S OWN, MY HANDS WERE OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DE…
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WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, I NOTICED A "TWITCH" IN THE STEERING WHEEL. STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL AS I WAS DRIVING. LATER, AGAIN WHILE SETTING STILL, I AGAIN NOTICED STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY "TWITCH" ON IT'S OWN, MY HANDS WERE OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP BEING EVALUATED. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT FORD CURRENTLY DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THIS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! I HAVE FOUND ONLINE OTHER REPORTS OF LOSING STEERING ASSIST. THIS COULD LEAD TO CRASHES IN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND SITUATIONS. THE STEERING SYSTEM OF ANY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE MOST BASIC AND FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY SYSTEMS, AND BEING SO, SHOULD BE FAR MORE RELIABLE AND PROVEN THROUGH TESTING AND BEING G BACKED UP BY THE MANUFACTURER. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS COULD COST $1000-$1500 TO REPAIR, AS THEY MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THAT IN MY ESTIMATION IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564450
120,238 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Steering
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT, WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE CRASHED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSIER ROAD, OR AT GREATER SPEEDS. I PLANNED ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, BUT MY FIRST INTERNET SEARCH UNCOVERED THE BREADTH…
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AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT, WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE CRASHED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSIER ROAD, OR AT GREATER SPEEDS. I PLANNED ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, BUT MY FIRST INTERNET SEARCH UNCOVERED THE BREADTH OF THIS ISSUE, WHICH SEEMS TO AFFECT MOST ESCAPE OWNERS AT OR NEAR THE FIVE YEAR MARK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS INTERNET SEARCH ALSO MADE FORD'S CRASS RESPONSE TO THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE, TO STAY SILENT AND INCREASE THEIR PROFIT MARGIN DUE TO SHODDY PRODUCTS. IN LIGHT OF THIS, I AM STRONGLY CONSIDERING TRADING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A MORE RELIABLE MAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564417
100,700 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Steering
AT IDLE SPEEDS VEHICLE WHEEL SHAKES ON ITS OWN WHEN DRIVING, POWER STEERING SENSORS FORCE WHEEL TO FLUCTUATE, AND MOTOR INSIDE STEERING COLUMN MAKES NOISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, WAS TOLD STANDARD FIX IS FOR STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED, BUT CANNOT YET VERIFY THAT IS NEEDED YET. WAS TOLD THE CONDITION WILL GET WORSE, AND F…
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AT IDLE SPEEDS VEHICLE WHEEL SHAKES ON ITS OWN WHEN DRIVING, POWER STEERING SENSORS FORCE WHEEL TO FLUCTUATE, AND MOTOR INSIDE STEERING COLUMN MAKES NOISE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, WAS TOLD STANDARD FIX IS FOR STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED, BUT CANNOT YET VERIFY THAT IS NEEDED YET. WAS TOLD THE CONDITION WILL GET WORSE, AND FOR NOW TO WAIT ON REPAIR, WHICH WOULD COST $1,600 TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564391
119,200 miles · Feb 13, 2014
Steering
MY DAUGHTER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A FULL STOP AFTER TURNING HAD TO FORCE STEERING BACK LUCKY THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC LATER THAT DAY WHILE TURNING INTO GAS STATION STEERING LOCKED UP ON MY WIFE LUCKY SHE WAS GOING SLOW CALLED DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT VEHICLE TOOK IN FOR SERVICE 2/5/2014 DONE ON 2/6/2014 REPLACED STEERI…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A FULL STOP AFTER TURNING HAD TO FORCE STEERING BACK LUCKY THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC LATER THAT DAY WHILE TURNING INTO GAS STATION STEERING LOCKED UP ON MY WIFE LUCKY SHE WAS GOING SLOW CALLED DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT VEHICLE TOOK IN FOR SERVICE 2/5/2014 DONE ON 2/6/2014 REPLACED STEERING COLUMN $1431.06 CAN FORD EVEN REPLACE A LITTLE FINGER FOR THAT AMOUNT I DON'T THINK SO WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564228
105,698 miles · Feb 11, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING ON MY ESCAPE WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING FASTER OR MAKING A TURN, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND CRASHED. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE IS ASTOUNDING, THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE SURE NO ONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563872
96,000 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART UNTIL IN ENGAGED. WHEN IT WAS OPERATING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUTTER BACK AND FORTH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALER AND SCAN CODE B2278 CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS BAD IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING…
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THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART UNTIL IN ENGAGED. WHEN IT WAS OPERATING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHUTTER BACK AND FORTH. I TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALER AND SCAN CODE B2278 CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS BAD IN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. REQUIRED THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,439.68. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563771
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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