NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
175 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 5, 2024
Vehicle Speed Control
When driving, the gas pedal will get stuck down and you will not be able to apply more pressure to the pedal to accelerate. This often happens when I go to change gear and then go back to the gas pedal to accelerate again. This typically will only happen from time to time but today it occurred every time I went to change gears. …
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When driving, the gas pedal will get stuck down and you will not be able to apply more pressure to the pedal to accelerate. This often happens when I go to change gear and then go back to the gas pedal to accelerate again. This typically will only happen from time to time but today it occurred every time I went to change gears. I had to pull over on the highway because I was unable to keep up with traffic and the weather was quite snowy and it was unsafe for me to try to drive without keeping speed with traffic.
NHTSA ODI #11563859
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2022
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
Having issue with throttle body and or controller. Break takes time to respond and is stiff. When on an incline road, the car rolls backwards before accelerating forward. The rolled back at stop signs on inclined roads and inclined parking lots. The car shows no warming lights. The car has issues accelerating and decelerating. …
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Having issue with throttle body and or controller. Break takes time to respond and is stiff. When on an incline road, the car rolls backwards before accelerating forward. The rolled back at stop signs on inclined roads and inclined parking lots. The car shows no warming lights. The car has issues accelerating and decelerating. The car has rolled back while another car was behind it. The car at some instances has come to almost a halt while driving at 70 mph on the highway. While displaying no warming signals. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This type of issue has been confirmed by the dealership and has been recalled for some ford escapes but not all. The car has been inspected by a technician. The transmission has been rebuild but that did not work so a new transmission was placed inside yet this did not resolve anything. The car has been having these issues for some years.
NHTSA ODI #11448986
219,375 miles · Dec 30, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control
AT TIMES BEFORE ACCELERATION, THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO GO UNLESS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC AND IT HAS HAPPENED. THE STICKING HAPPENS EITHER AT A STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR SIMPLY JUST LEAVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. SOMETIMES IT MAY HAPPEN IF I AM COMING OUT OF…
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AT TIMES BEFORE ACCELERATION, THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO GO UNLESS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC AND IT HAS HAPPENED. THE STICKING HAPPENS EITHER AT A STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC LIGHT, OR SIMPLY JUST LEAVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. SOMETIMES IT MAY HAPPEN IF I AM COMING OUT OF A TURN. ITS SCARY WHEN I AM ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, STREET, OR ON/OFF RAMP AND THERE IS OTHER TRAFFIC SPEEDING BEHIND ME. I CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PART THAT IS CAUSING THIS. IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER IN JULY. MOST RECENT WAS ON 12/29/2020.
NHTSA ODI #11385652
104,000 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #11383662
150,000 miles · Feb 4, 2020
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
RANDOMLY THE CAR WILL 'STALL' TO TO SPEAK EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC AND NOT A 5-SPEED. WHEN I SAY STALL I AM REFERRING TO WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, YIELDING TO TURN, ETC - WHEN I GO TO HIT THE GAS THE RPM'S REV UP HIGH AND THE CAR SPEED IS VERY LOW AND AT A ROLLING SPEED - EVEN THOUGH I PUSH DOWN ALL OF T…
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RANDOMLY THE CAR WILL 'STALL' TO TO SPEAK EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC AND NOT A 5-SPEED. WHEN I SAY STALL I AM REFERRING TO WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT, YIELDING TO TURN, ETC - WHEN I GO TO HIT THE GAS THE RPM'S REV UP HIGH AND THE CAR SPEED IS VERY LOW AND AT A ROLLING SPEED - EVEN THOUGH I PUSH DOWN ALL OF THE WAY IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SPEED UP TO AVOID BEING STRUCK MY OTHER VEHICLES WHEN TURNING. THE CAR WILL THEN REGAIN ALL SPEED AT ONCE - INSTEAD OF GRADUALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE I AM TRYING TO MERGE ONTO AN ONCOMING INTERSTATE RAMP OR AM AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE MISSED BEING HIT THUS FAR BUT HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND AUTO MECHANIC SHOPS THAT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. THEY HAVE READ THE CHECK ENGINE CODE AND HAVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11306945
160,000 miles · Jan 16, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
ON 1/9/20 THE CAR HAD ITS LAST DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF SO MANY SENSE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP 10/18. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A BEACH PARKING LOT. AS MY SON WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT HE TURNED CAR ON PUT CAR IN DRIVE SLIGHTLY STEPPED ON GAS TO BEGIN PULLING OUT AND THE CAR SURGED AND ACCELERATED F…
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ON 1/9/20 THE CAR HAD ITS LAST DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF SO MANY SENSE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP 10/18. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A BEACH PARKING LOT. AS MY SON WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT HE TURNED CAR ON PUT CAR IN DRIVE SLIGHTLY STEPPED ON GAS TO BEGIN PULLING OUT AND THE CAR SURGED AND ACCELERATED FULL SPEED BY ITSELF. HE LOST ALL STEERING AND HAD NO BREAKS. HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WENT FULL SPEED INTO A PARKED CAR ABOUT 15 FT AWAY! BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED. ALL 3 PEOPLE INVOLVED WERE INJURED. THERE WAS 2 PEOPLE IN PARKED CAR AND MY SON WHO WAS BURROWING MY CAR. PREVIOUS TO THIS ACCIDENT THE ESCAPE HAS HAD SO MANY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTIONS. SOME BEING TOTAL STEERING LOSS WHILE I WAS DRIVING 45MPH .CAR WAS TOWED AND FIXED COVERED BY FACTORY RECALL. ANOTHER SHOCK SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED MY FUEL TANK. MY MECHANIC SAID I DODGED DEATH BY DRIVING . HE SAID CAR WAS A TICKING BOMB. IVE REPLACED 2 ABS SENSORS AT DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE THEY FAILED AND CAUSED BREAK PEDEL TO VIBRATE AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO STOP. ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING AND WHEEL COMPARTMENT DUE TO TOTAL RUST AND CORROSION OF UNDER BODY. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED IN ONLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR SENSE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM MID CAPE MOTERS FOR 6000$ IN OCTOBER. *LN *TR *JS
NHTSA ODI #11299785
196,370 miles · Jun 14, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY A SEMI TRUCK. THE CONTACT CALLED SHIMMERS FORD (10401 WOODCR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED AGAIN AND THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY A SEMI TRUCK. THE CONTACT CALLED SHIMMERS FORD (10401 WOODCREST DR NW, COON RAPIDS, MN 55433, (612) 424-7648) AND DIXON FORD (489 E 2ND ST, DIXON, IL 61021, (815) 288-3366) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA HOTLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,370.
NHTSA ODI #11219999
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
WENT TO ACCELERATE AND GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND STAYED THERE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BROKEN THROTTLE CABLE AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $300.
NHTSA ODI #11114171
90,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE GAS PEDAL BECOMES STIFF IN COLD WEATHER CONDITION AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE FROM STOP. ONE TIME THE GAS PEDAL CABLE ALSO CAME OUT AND PEDAL WOULD NOT COME BACK UP.
NHTSA ODI #11058240
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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