Steering. Review the 1,127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 329 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 175 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

59 crash reports6 fire reports36 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,974 reports

48,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10706272

50,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015

Power Train

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IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE CAR LUNGED AS IT WAS GOING THROUGH THE TURN LANE. THE CAR IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY BETWEEN 1 AND 2 GEARS. IT STALLS AND THEN LUNGES. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. WE TOOK IT TO FINISH LINE FORD IN PEORIA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM. THE 2008 ESCAPE DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY BETWEEN 1&2 GEARS AND 3&4 GEARS. THE REPAIR COSTS $1300 SO FORD IS MAKING MAJOR PROFIT. I WAS PREVIOUSLY OFFERED A SERVICE CONTRACT TO CONTINUE THE WARRANTY WHICH THEY POINT TO AND SAY I COULD HAVE TAKEN IT. IF FORD WAS HONEST AND KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND TOLD EVERYONE THAT OWNED A 2008 ESCAPE THAT FAILURE WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ON THIS TRANSMISSION THEN I MIGHT HAVE PURCHASED THE CONTRACT BUT THEY WITH-HELD INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. THIS LUNGING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705972

144,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10705867

108,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015

Vehicle Speed Control

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WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL & THEN IT FEELS LIKE I AM IN NEUTRAL. AS SOON AS I PRESS DOWN ON GAS PEDAL THE CAR JERKS FORWARD. WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT SAME THING HAPPENED & THE TRACTION LIGHT & ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED BY A CO WORKER SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM & IT WAS THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THAT WAS ON RECALL. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS BY THE DEALER & NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $2,000.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705326

78,900 miles · Apr 12, 2015

Steering

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WHILE DRIVING 2008 FORD ESCAPE APRIL 11, 2015 RECEIVED A MESSAGE LIGHT STATING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". NOW STEERING WHEEL SHAKES EXCEPT WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. STEERING WHEEL ALSO RANDOMLY MOVES WHILES DRIVING. WHEN DRIVING OVER 35MPH THERE IS CONSTANT SHAKE IN STEERING WHEEL. IN JULY 2014 THE CAR WAS NOT HAVING ANY POWER STEERING ISSUES, BUT FORD RECALL NOTICE FORD 14S05 WAS RECEIVED AND CAR WAS SERVICED BY DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON SEPT 30, 2014 TO CHANGE WHAT THE CAR DOES WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST OCCURS. I WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS A DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL FIX THE ROOT PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING ASSIST. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I SEE THIS IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD DID NOT FIX THE ROOT PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE WITH THEIR REMEDY FOR RECALL 14S05, BUT THEY ONLY REPROGRAMMED THE CAR TO REPORT THE PROBLEM DIFFERENTLY. THIS IS ALSO SAME ISSUE REPORTED IN OFFICIAL NHTSA INVESTIGATION #DP15001. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705153

225,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015

Steering

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WIFE LOST POWER STEERING AND WE TOOK ESCAPE TO FORD DEALER. THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. FORD DEALER UPDATED SOFTWARE PER FORD RECALL INSTRUCTIONS. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING EVEN WHILE STANDING STILL AND WE RECEIVED POWER STEERING WARNING FROM DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER. FORD DEALER SAID THE CAR COULD LOSE STEERING ENTIRELY (NOT JUST POWER STEERING) IF NOT REPAIRED. WE REPLACED STEERING COLUMN AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL. AGAIN, THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE CAR'S MEMORY. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO "CODES" IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER MEMORY, FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AS DESCRIBED IN FORD'S DIRECTION TO DEALERS FOR THE RECALL. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT MULTIPLE TIMES TO COMPLAIN. THREE CALLS TO WILLIAM FORD WERE UNANSWERED. FORD MADE THE PROCESS TO OBTAIN PAYMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED PART VERY DIFFICULT. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE FORD'S PROCESS. HOW MANY STEERING COLUMNS WERE REPLACED?, HOW MANY WERE PAID FOR BY FORD AS PART OF THE RECALL? THEY ALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY THE RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704832

90,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015

Steering

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I WAS DRIVING FROM PA TO NY WHEN THE CAR SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. THE CAR DROVE FINE WHILE I WAS GETTING TO MY DESTINATION. ONCE THERE I PARKED IT. WENT OUT TO START IT AGAIN TO GO SOMEWHERE, AND THE STEERING WAS LIKE DRIVING A MAC TRUCK. I HAD TO FLAT BED IT BACK TO PENNSYLVANIA FROM NEW YORK. I GOT ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THERE WAS, BUT NOT AT THE FACTORY MY CAR WAS ASSEMBLED, SO I WASN'T NOTIFIED ON THE RECALL. SPEAKING TO MY MECHANIC AT WENTWORTH AUTO SALES IN GUYS MILLS PA, HE SAID THAT THE FACTORIES WERE DIFFERENT, I FEEL THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HIGH MILEAGE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING. I FOUND IT DISTURBING THAT MINE WAS NOT COVERED. THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A TYPICAL THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR CAR. THE GARAGE PUT A NEW STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR IN. PARTS AND LABOR COST $347.71. THEY DID NOT HAVE TO REMOVE MY STEERING WHEEL AND DO ANYTHING TO THE MOTOR. I HAVE MY CAR BACK, BUT IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS TO IT , IT MAY COST ME UP TO $1,300.00. I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT TODAY, SO THEY HAVE RECORD OF THE SITUATION. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY OTHER CARS FROM THE PLANT MINE WAS ASSEMBLED IN HAVE ANY ISSUES. IT WAS BUILT IN CLAY COMO MICHIGAN. SOME ONE SUGGESTED, I SEND OUT THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU ALSO. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704455

74,500 miles · Apr 8, 2015

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE NEEDED T…

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NHTSA ODI #10704408

86,200 miles · Apr 6, 2015

Power Train

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 15 TO GO OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS. UPON ACCELERATION THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 3500 RPM BEFORE SHIFTING. AT THAT POINT THE 2ND AND 4TH GEARS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. DIAGNOSTIC AT FORD INDICATED THE GEAR BAND HAD BROKEN. $4463 REPAIR FOR A TRANSMISSIO…

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NHTSA ODI #10703958

147,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015

Power Train

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE CAR WENT TO AROUND 3500 RPM BEFORE SHIFTING OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WE TOOK IT THAT DAY TO THE FORD DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN OVERDRIVE BAND AND THE CAR IS MISSING 2ND AND 4TH GEAR. I HAVE DONE A GOOGLE SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE AND IT IS A VERY COMMON ONE ON THIS CAR. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. IT IS SO COMMON THAT WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT THE FORD DEALER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT HAD IT FIXED YET AS THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHOUT TAKING IT APART. THEY SAID THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WAS EXPECTING IT TO TAKE OFF LIKE NORMAL SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A WRECK AS THE CAR WILL NOT TAKE OFF LIKE NORMAL. SHE WAS VERY LUCKY. HOW FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT DOING A RECALL WHEN THIS IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE IS BEYOND BELIEF. I AM NOW LOOKING AT A MINIMUM $1300 BILL JUST TO FIX THAT PART. THAT IS IF I DON'T DO A REBUILD OR NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS THE 6 CYLINDER VERSION OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703864

Official recalls

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 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

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)

14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

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.

14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

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

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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