NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
175 reportsClear category filter94,000 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 35 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THEIR HAND TO PULL UP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING IT TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 35 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THEIR HAND TO PULL UP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING IT TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10471254
65,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE SO I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET SOMEWHERE NEAR 35 OR 40MPH. THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE CLEARED UP AND I RETURNED TO NORMAL SPEED BUT LEFT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I ACCELERATED ON MY OWN TO ABOUT 70MPH. A MINUTE LATER THE GAS PEDAL LEFT MY FOOT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. O…
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I HAD BEEN TRAVELING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE SO I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL SET SOMEWHERE NEAR 35 OR 40MPH. THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE CLEARED UP AND I RETURNED TO NORMAL SPEED BUT LEFT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. I ACCELERATED ON MY OWN TO ABOUT 70MPH. A MINUTE LATER THE GAS PEDAL LEFT MY FOOT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. ONCE AT ABOUT 80MPH THE PEDAL LET GO AND SLAPPED THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT (WHICH WAS STILL IN THE POSITION IT WAS IN AT DOING 70MPH. THE GAS PEDAL (ON IT'S OWN) MOVED TO THE FLOOR AND SLAPPED MY FOOT ABOUT 6 TIMES BEFORE I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AND AGAIN, THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED WAS SET AT ABOUT 40MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468296
49,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467978
86,919 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE THROTTLE BEGAN TO STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOTTLE ASSEMBLY CARBURETOR THROTTLE AND A GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE THROTTLE BEGAN TO STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOTTLE ASSEMBLY CARBURETOR THROTTLE AND A GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86, 919 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,094. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10467929
5,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD REMAIN STUCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED OFTEN AND MOST FREQUENTLY DURING COLDER WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE A REPAIR SHOP, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD REMAIN STUCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE RECURRED OFTEN AND MOST FREQUENTLY DURING COLDER WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE A REPAIR SHOP, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467921
142,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS ACCELERATOR FELL APART LIKE A PUZZLE. THERE IS NO DEVICE ON IT TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THERE HAS BEEN A NEWLY DEVELOPED PART TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BUT, THE CONSUMER MUST PURCHASE IT. UPDATED 09/12/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10465120
85,000 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON, THE SPEEDOMETER/FUEL GAUGE/ETC MOVE TO 0 OR THE FAR LEFT. LOOKING ONLINE FOR FORD INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. CHECKED WITH THE MECHANIC WHO SAYS IT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH FORD. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ABOUT IT BUT…
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WHEN DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS. ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON, THE SPEEDOMETER/FUEL GAUGE/ETC MOVE TO 0 OR THE FAR LEFT. LOOKING ONLINE FOR FORD INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. CHECKED WITH THE MECHANIC WHO SAYS IT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH FORD. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN ABOUT IT BUT IT WILL NOT CONSTRUE A RECALL UNTIL A DEATH OR INJURY FROM A CRASH RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. THIS MAY ALSO FALL UNDER A TORT LAWSUIT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462824
102,000 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED BY IT SELF. IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THEN CAUSING FAILURE OF THE WHOLE UNIT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10461721
11,152 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A RETAINER CLIP THAT COULD REMEDY THE DEFECT. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A RETAINER CLIP THAT COULD REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,152 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE RETURNED TO HIS VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LOOSE AND ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE THAT INDICATED THE ACCELERATOR WAS CONNECTED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10460847
56,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10458868
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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