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

92,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014

Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR SYSTEM FAILURE. SURGING, UNNECESSARY REVVING AT LOW SPEEDS. INCONSISTENT ACCELERATION AND GEAR CHANGE. TROUBLE CODE "P2112 THROTTLE ACTUATOR SYSTEM STUCK". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655001

20,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014

Steering

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10/8 PER RECALL14S05/14V-284 BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO KOERNER FORD OF SYRACUSE WHERE THEY UPDATED THE PSCM. 11/6 WHILE DRIVING, CAR LOST POWER STEERING. 11/11 BROUGHT CAR INTO MECHANIC WHO IDENTIFIED IT AS A B2278 STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CALLED KOERNER AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. KOERNER ADVISED THAT THEY'VE ALREADY SERVICED IT UNDER THE RECALL AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TWICE (11/11 AND 11/13) WHO SAID THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER FROM KOERNER ADVISED THAT HIS RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT IF HE UPDATES THE SOFTWARE AND THERE IS NO OTHER CODES COMING UP WHEN THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE, THEY DO NOT NEED TO FIX IT. PER MY RECALL NOTICE, THAT IS NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY STATED. ALSO LEARNED FROM FORD REP ON 11/13 THAT THE KOERNER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL. TO ME, THIS APPEARS TO BE SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654960

155,900 miles · Nov 13, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE POWER CUT OUT TO THE VEHICLE, AND THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT VERY LABORED. AT THE SAME TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASH. USING THE FORWARD MOMENTUM I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, WHERE IT STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RE-TART THE ENGINE WHERE IT RAN LABORED AGAIN, AND STALLED OUT, THE THROTTLE WAS NOT RESPONSIVE DURING THIS TIME AT ALL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 RE-STARTS WITH THE LAST COMING AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT AWHILE, I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT AND DRIVE IT NORMAL. THROTTLE RESPONSE RETURNED, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS OFF. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED FOR MY WIFE AGAIN ON 11/12 WITH A SIMILAR RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654736

65,000 miles · Nov 10, 2014

EngineFuel/propulsion System

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THROTTLE STICKS SHUT, ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE THROTTLE WILL SOMETIMES SNAP THE THROTTLE OPEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. SOMETIMES THE THROTTLE WILL NOT MOVE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS WARM. THROTTLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND CABLE APPEAR TO BE FREE MOVING AND NOT STICKING. WHEN MOVING THROTTLE BODY SHAFT BY HAND (VEHICLE COLD, NOT RUNNING), THE THROTTLE BODY STICKS SHUT BUT CAN BE FREED WITH SOME EFFORT. ONCE MOVED FROM THE SHUT POSITION, THE THROTTLE BODY SHAFT MOVES FREELY AGAINST THE RETURN SPRING. CABLES ATTACHED TO THROTTLE BODY SHAFT ARE NOT UNDER STRESS AND DO NOT APPEAR TO BE IMPEDING THROTTLE BODY MOVEMENT. LUBRICANT APPLIED TO CABLING PIVOTS AND ATTACHMENT POINTS HAVE MINIMAL IF ANY EFFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653920

61,446 miles · Nov 9, 2014

Vehicle Speed Control

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND HER GAS PEDAL STUCK WHILE TRYING TO GET IT IN GEAR TO REVERSE AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT TIMES.. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN JANUARY OF 2012 HOWEVER, SHE WAS TURNING ONTO A BUSY STREET WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STUCK WHILE THE SPEED WENT DOWN TO ZERO. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT REAR ENDED. SHE WAS AWAY AT COLLEGE AND I TOLD HER TO GET IT TO THE FORD DEALER NEAR HER. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STICKING AND REPLACEMENT WAS ADVISED AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETED AT A COST OF $486.83. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY LEARNED OF RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE ON SEVERAL ESCAPE MODEL YEARS. I WANT TO KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653749

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2014

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE DEALER ONLY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE BUT DID NOT INDICATE IF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE AND IF THE TORQUE SENSOR SIGNAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10652219

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2014

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10652177

127,441 miles · Nov 2, 2014

Steering

AS I WAS DRIVING, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN I HEARD A RAPID CLICKING NOISE. IT WAS THEN I REALIZED THAT STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY BUT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO COMPLETE MY TURN AS MY STEERING HAD CONVERTED TO MANUAL MODE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651891

38,000 miles · Oct 31, 2014

Air BagsExterior Lighting

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THERE ARE TWO SPECIFIC BUT RELATED PROBLEMS REPORTED TO FORD WITHOUT RESOLUTION: 1. DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLY - SWITCH BURNT: IN EARLY 2014 THE MANUAL SLIDE SWITCH ON THE DOME LIGHT SHORTED OUT AND MELTED ? BURNING THE INSIDE OF THE ASSEMBLY. THUS, THE SWITCH WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE PROPERLY. IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE OWNER. A FORD REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER, 2014, WHICH REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY. THE ASSEMBLY HAD AN ENGINEERING CHANGE WHICH ELIMINATED THE MANUAL SLIDE SWITCH. OWNER HAS PICTURES AND HAS RETAINED THE DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY. NOTE: THE MELTING OF THE SLIDE SWITCH AND BURNING OF THE PLASTIC HOUSING COULD HAVE IGNITED THE HEADLINER. VERY DANGEROUS. 2. AIR BAG FUSE: WHEN REPLACING THE DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLY, IT WAS NOTICED THAT A FUSE HAD BLOW DUE TO THE SWITCH MELTING. THE FUSE PANEL WAS ACCESSED AND IT WAS VERIFIED THAT FUSE #25 (DEMAND LAMPS) WAS OPEN. A SPARE FUSE, PER THE OWNER?S MANUAL, WAS MOVED FROM POSITION #32 (SPARE) TO POSITION #25. THE NEW DOME LIGHT NOW WORKED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE SRS (SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM) LIGHT WAS ON WHICH INDICATED A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE SRS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2014. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT FUSE POSITION #32 IS REALLY NOT A SPARE AS INDICATED IN THE OWNER?S MANUAL ? IT IS INSTEAD THE FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE CIRCUIT WHICH WHEN IT WAS REMOVED CAUSED THE SRS LIGHT TO APPEAR. (OF COURSE THE DEALER CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE!) SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNER?S MANUAL CAN BE FOUND ONLINE.) NOTE: THE OWNER?S MANUAL MUST BE CHANGED TO REFLECT THE APPROPRIATE FUSE LOCATIONS. IF SOMEONE HAD TO USE THE SPARE FUSE INCORRECTLY MARKED, WHILE DRIVING REMOTELY, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY! VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651736

155,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014

Power Train

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I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED ON NORTH BOUND IH 35 JUST NORTH OF GEORGETOWN. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW BRIEFLY TO EVADE AND PASS A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE - INSTEAD OF SLOWING, THE ENGINE REVVED. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SLOWED, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. I NOTICED A WRENCH WARNING LIGHT IN THE DASH AND CALLED MY DAUGHTER TO HELP ME WITH IT. MY SON-IN-LAW SAID IT WAS A POWERTRAIN FAULT WARNING. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED 10 MINUTES. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF; SO, I CONTINUED MY TRIP HOME RESUMING AND MAINTAINING HIGHWAY SPEED; BUT THE RPMS STAYED @ 3000. AT THE IH-35 EAST-WEST SPLIT, I DECELERATED TO MAKE THE TURN TOWARD DALLAS AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO 5000 RPMS AND STAYED BETWEEN 3K-4K FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. THE GEARS CHANGE REALLY HARD AND THE ENGINE REVS REALLY HIGH UNTIL IT DROPS INTO O/D; BUT RPMS STAY BETWEEN 3-4K. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT IS A GEAR-RATIO ISSUE AND I NEED A REBUILT OR NEW TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650743

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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