IN THE DASH AND THE STEERING WHEEL, THE COVERS FOR THE AIR BAGS HAVE BECOME SUPER STICKY. I AM WONDERING IF, BECAUSE OF WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE, THAT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED BEHIND THE COVERS THAT IS EFFECTING THE CONSISTENCY OF THE COVERS. I HAVE TRIED ALL KINDS OF CLEANERS, GOO BE GONE, ALCOHOL TO REMOVE OR REDUCE THE STICKYNESS…
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IN THE DASH AND THE STEERING WHEEL, THE COVERS FOR THE AIR BAGS HAVE BECOME SUPER STICKY. I AM WONDERING IF, BECAUSE OF WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE, THAT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED BEHIND THE COVERS THAT IS EFFECTING THE CONSISTENCY OF THE COVERS. I HAVE TRIED ALL KINDS OF CLEANERS, GOO BE GONE, ALCOHOL TO REMOVE OR REDUCE THE STICKYNESS BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED THAT THEY WILL EITHER NOT WORK OR THAT SOME CHEMICAL REACTION HAS OCCURRED THAT WOULD BE WORSE THAN THEN NOT DEPLOYING.
NHTSA ODI #11089104
110,000 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Unknown Or Other
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAD IT'S REAR LIFGATE GLASS (THE REAR WINDSHIELD) MYSTERIOUSLY SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND CAME OUTSIDE AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF BEING THERE TO SEE A SHATTERED BACK WINDSHIELD. HER HOME IS IN A VERY RURAL AREA AND IT HAPPENED AROUND MID-DAY, SO THAT ALMOST COMPLETELY …
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MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAD IT'S REAR LIFGATE GLASS (THE REAR WINDSHIELD) MYSTERIOUSLY SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND CAME OUTSIDE AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF BEING THERE TO SEE A SHATTERED BACK WINDSHIELD. HER HOME IS IN A VERY RURAL AREA AND IT HAPPENED AROUND MID-DAY, SO THAT ALMOST COMPLETELY RULES OUT VANDALS. I SUSPECT THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AS I'VE READ ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR CASES. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR THAT DAY AND THERE AREN'T ANY NEARBY TREES. I FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OBJECT CAUSING THE DAMAGE AND I WAS VERY THOROUGH. NOW I'M ON THE HOOK FOR A $500 REPAIR AFTER CHECKING IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ITEM.
NHTSA ODI #11082499
224,985 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ON VACATION THE SUNROOF JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. NO ACCIDENT, NO DAMAGE, NO ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I, WHO OWN THE CAR WERE JUST DRIVING ALONG AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT WENT OFF AND THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, WE OPENED THE COVER AND IT WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED.…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ON VACATION THE SUNROOF JUST SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. NO ACCIDENT, NO DAMAGE, NO ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND AND I, WHO OWN THE CAR WERE JUST DRIVING ALONG AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT WENT OFF AND THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, WE OPENED THE COVER AND IT WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. WE WERE IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE I75 NORTH HEADED TOWARD CHATTANOOGA. JUST SAW THE ADD IN THE CONSUMER REPORT MAGAZINE ON 1/2/2018 FOR SUNROOF SAFETY.
NHTSA ODI #11058142
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2017
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other
I HAVE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE TRUCK IGNITION WENT OUT ON 10/31/17.
NHTSA ODI #11045303
150,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON ME CAUSING MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT TO BUST ALONG WITH I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE & ALMOST WRECK MY VEHICLE. GOOD THING I WAS NEAR A PARKING LOT THAT I COULD GET MY VEHICLE INTO ENOUGH TO GET MY VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD SO I WAS NOT HIT & IN…
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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON ME CAUSING MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT TO BUST ALONG WITH I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE & ALMOST WRECK MY VEHICLE. GOOD THING I WAS NEAR A PARKING LOT THAT I COULD GET MY VEHICLE INTO ENOUGH TO GET MY VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD SO I WAS NOT HIT & INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT VEHICLE USED IN APRIL OF 2016 & DO NOT KNOW WHAT WAS DONE N WHAT WAS NOT. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ABT A MONTH AGO & IT HAS BEEN SITTING UNDRIVABLE SINCE THEN. A FRIEND THAT IS A MECHANIC FINALLY WAS ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY VEHICLE & AFTER JUST TAKING A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, HE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING OF ANY RECALL & ADVISED THAT IS WHAT THE ISSUE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. HE ADVISED I NEED CHECK INTO THIS TO HAVE FORD TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE. I RAN THE VIN # TO CHECK RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE BUT CAME UP NO RECALLS HOWEVER MY VEHICLE FALLS IN THE YEAR OF THE RECALLS. RESEARCHED ONLINE & THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS. HOW DO I GO ABOUT THIS & GETTING ALL THE RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF FOR MINE & MY PASSENGERS SAFETY, IF MY VIN # IS SHOWING AS NO RECALL BUT THE RECALL ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE? I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS SSAP, AS THIS IS/WAS MY ONLY & MAIN SOURCE OF TRANSPORTAION.
NHTSA ODI #11001485
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2017
Unknown Or Other
GAS PEDAL IS STICKING INTERMITTENTLY
NHTSA ODI #10939276
125,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A HUGE POP OR LIKE A GUN SHOT SOUND AND WHEN WE STOPPED, WE FOUND THAT THE SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HIT OUR CAR. LUCKILY THE SLIDER WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS THAT SHATTERED DID NOT FALL ALL OVER US. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY O…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A HUGE POP OR LIKE A GUN SHOT SOUND AND WHEN WE STOPPED, WE FOUND THAT THE SUNROOF HAD "EXPLODED". THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HIT OUR CAR. LUCKILY THE SLIDER WAS CLOSED SO THE GLASS THAT SHATTERED DID NOT FALL ALL OVER US. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES TO WHERE THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING TO CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM MY SON' GRADUATING COLLEGE, SO WE STILL HAD TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS ANOTHER 2 1/2 HOURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10936364
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2016
Unknown Or Other
REAR HATCH LATCH WILL NOT CLOSE WHEN OPENED. WE HAVE HAD ONE REPLACED ALREADY AND WITHIN A MONTH IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. BELIEVE HATCH WINDOW IS LEAKING INTO WALL OF HATCH AND SHORTING THE COMPONENT THAT OPEN AND CLOSES THE HATCH. WE HAVE HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH AN UNLATCHED HATCH. THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE NE…
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REAR HATCH LATCH WILL NOT CLOSE WHEN OPENED. WE HAVE HAD ONE REPLACED ALREADY AND WITHIN A MONTH IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. BELIEVE HATCH WINDOW IS LEAKING INTO WALL OF HATCH AND SHORTING THE COMPONENT THAT OPEN AND CLOSES THE HATCH. WE HAVE HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH AN UNLATCHED HATCH. THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE NET. DEALERS DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10904689
156,000 miles · Sep 1, 2016
Unknown Or Other
THE IGNITION WILL NOT START WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT WILL EVENTUALLY START
NHTSA ODI #10902975
125,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other
WHEN I GO TO START MY ESCAPE, I HAVE TO PRESS REALLY HARD TO GET IT TO START. IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS IT TAKES 10-15 MINS OF TRYING OVER AND OVER TO GET IT TO WORK. I AM AFRAID THAT IT JUST WILL NOT WORK ONE DAY. I TAKE THE KEY OUT AND FLIP IT OVER...DOES NOT HELP. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON...IT RECOGNIZES THE KEY...JUST WIL…
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WHEN I GO TO START MY ESCAPE, I HAVE TO PRESS REALLY HARD TO GET IT TO START. IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS IT TAKES 10-15 MINS OF TRYING OVER AND OVER TO GET IT TO WORK. I AM AFRAID THAT IT JUST WILL NOT WORK ONE DAY. I TAKE THE KEY OUT AND FLIP IT OVER...DOES NOT HELP. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON...IT RECOGNIZES THE KEY...JUST WILL NOT START.
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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