Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
18725–50K
21950–75K
32675–100K
577100–150K
291150K+
1,714 reports with mileage · 260 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
47,000 miles · Jan 1, 2014
Engine
ENGINE JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND I ALMOST GOT INVOLVED INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER MY CAR AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO P AND RE-STARTED THE ENGINE. IT WORKED BUT I FELT ENGINE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING OKAY. IT FELT LIKE IT KEPT BURPING CONSTANTLY. I COULD FEEL THE MOVE. I DROVE BACK HOME TO WORRY ABOUT THE ISSUE. *…
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ENGINE JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND I ALMOST GOT INVOLVED INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER MY CAR AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO P AND RE-STARTED THE ENGINE. IT WORKED BUT I FELT ENGINE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING OKAY. IT FELT LIKE IT KEPT BURPING CONSTANTLY. I COULD FEEL THE MOVE. I DROVE BACK HOME TO WORRY ABOUT THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558070
6,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DROP TO BELOW 25 DEGREES - THE ACCELERATOR / GAS PEDAL WILL OFTEN "FREEZE" AND NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION AND/OR WILL STAY DEPRESSED EVEN WITH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE (CAR STILL STOPS) AND IDLES VERY HIGH WHEN IN NEUTRAL. WHEN STARTING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. *…
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WHEN THE TEMPERATURES DROP TO BELOW 25 DEGREES - THE ACCELERATOR / GAS PEDAL WILL OFTEN "FREEZE" AND NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION AND/OR WILL STAY DEPRESSED EVEN WITH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE (CAR STILL STOPS) AND IDLES VERY HIGH WHEN IN NEUTRAL. WHEN STARTING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557960
9,600 miles · Dec 28, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE STICKS SHUT WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 30 DEGREES . HAVE TO FEEL AROUND FOR RIGHT SPOT TO GET THROTTLE TO MOVE AND VEHICLE TO DRIVE. HAD THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED ONCE BY FORD , HAS DONE THIS EVERY WINTER SINCE THEN . THIS YEAR BEING WORSE THEN NORMAL AND GOT STUCK SO PEDAL WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557519
120,000 miles · Dec 27, 2013
Steering
THE FIRST TIME MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT A RED LIGHT. THEN IT STOPPED AS I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT. I THEN WAS WORRIED BECAUSE I HAD MY LITTLE BOY WITH ME. I RAN INTO THE STORE AND THEN WENT HOME AND IT STOPPED. TODAY, I DROVE 36 MILES PULLED …
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THE FIRST TIME MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT A RED LIGHT. THEN IT STOPPED AS I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT. I THEN WAS WORRIED BECAUSE I HAD MY LITTLE BOY WITH ME. I RAN INTO THE STORE AND THEN WENT HOME AND IT STOPPED. TODAY, I DROVE 36 MILES PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, STOPPED WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. I TRIED TO TAPE IT WITH MY PHONE AND IT STOPPED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. WILL HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE I WOULD HATE TO DRIVE MY LITTLE ONE AND HAVE THE POWER STEERING GO OUT IN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557483
117,000 miles · Dec 26, 2013
Steering
STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND UPON RE-STARTING, POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557288
110,000 miles · Dec 21, 2013
Service Brakes
I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY SLOPING DRIVEWAY ONTO A VERY NARROW AND BUSY HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL STREET. WITH CARS COMING DOWN THE HILL PAST OUR DRIVEWAY IT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL THAT I HAVE AN OPERATIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND I WENT SHOOTING OUT INTO THE STREET.…
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I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY SLOPING DRIVEWAY ONTO A VERY NARROW AND BUSY HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL STREET. WITH CARS COMING DOWN THE HILL PAST OUR DRIVEWAY IT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL THAT I HAVE AN OPERATIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AND I WENT SHOOTING OUT INTO THE STREET. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY REPAIR SHOP THAT I FREQUENT FOR MOST SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. THEY GOT IN THE CAR TO TEST DRIVE IT AND HAD NO PROBLEM WHATEVER WITH THE BRAKES. THEY PUT AN ELECTRONIC SCANNER ON THE ENGINE AND IT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS ONE OR MORE PROBLEMS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ALTHOUGH THE TEST DRIVE WENT FINE. THEY SAID THAT WITH THE SCANNER MESSAGE THAT WAS REPORTED, I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH SAME AND WILL HAVE THE OUTCOME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. NONE OF THAT REALLY MATTERS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I NOW HAVE A CAR THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, LET ALONE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DRIVE IT. FROM ALL OF THE SIMILAR, IF NOT EXACT, INCIDENTS I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT ON THE WEB IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKELY THAT THE DEALER IS GOING TO FIND A DEFINITIVE ANSWER AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, THAT CAR IS USELESS TO ANYONE ELSE SO WHAT DO I DO WITH IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556929
71,000 miles · Dec 19, 2013
Steering
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT ON AN INTERSECTING ROAD FROM A STOP SIGN, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES, IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN …
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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT ON AN INTERSECTING ROAD FROM A STOP SIGN, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. IT TOOK ALL OF MY STRENGTH TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION AND OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES, IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $1,300.00 WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PURCHASED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THIS CAN HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY TIME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT MADE A RECALL ON THIS! I CAN'T BARE TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AS I WAS TAKING HIM TO SCHOOL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556751
92,100 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Steering
I HAD BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE STARTING AND THE STEERING WHEEL NOT UNLOCKING. HAD TO TURN IT EXTREMELY HARD OR PUT THE KEY IN AND OUT A FEW TIMES TURNING TO UNLOCK. UPON STARTING THE PRIOR 2 WEEKS IT WOULD HESITATE- LIKE IT HAD TO THINK ABOUT STARTING. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID EVERYTHING LOO…
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I HAD BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE STARTING AND THE STEERING WHEEL NOT UNLOCKING. HAD TO TURN IT EXTREMELY HARD OR PUT THE KEY IN AND OUT A FEW TIMES TURNING TO UNLOCK. UPON STARTING THE PRIOR 2 WEEKS IT WOULD HESITATE- LIKE IT HAD TO THINK ABOUT STARTING. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD - NO ISSUES WITH STARTER, ALTERNATOR OR ANYTHING. ON 11/27 VEHICLE WOULDN'T START - ENDED UP WITH A NEW BATTERY. NOW TWO WEEKS AFTER BATTERY INSTALL I HAVE A VERY LOUD CLUNK IN MY STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS. OF COURSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST WAS UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556467
79,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MANEUVER IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MANEUVER IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10556311
110,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL MY 2008 ESCAPE (NOT HYBRID) 2.3L XLT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WHERE I WOULD GET A STICKY GAS PEDAL. IT WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE SOME JIGGLING TO GET THE GAS PEDAL TO DEPRESS SO THAT I COULD ACCELERATE. I CLEANED OUT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WE RECENTLY HAD SOME …
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PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL MY 2008 ESCAPE (NOT HYBRID) 2.3L XLT BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WHERE I WOULD GET A STICKY GAS PEDAL. IT WOULD SOMETIMES TAKE SOME JIGGLING TO GET THE GAS PEDAL TO DEPRESS SO THAT I COULD ACCELERATE. I CLEANED OUT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WE RECENTLY HAD SOME COLD WEATHER IN THE 10 - 30 DEGREE RANGE IN WHICH MY GAS PEDAL STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. IT GOT SO BAD TO WHERE I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE GAS PETAL INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WOULD DEPRESS MY CAR WOULD JOLT FORWARD LIKE TOO MUCH GAS WAS APPLIED. THE ISSUE SEEMED TO DISSIPATE IF I LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR 30 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING. I PURCHASED A NEW THROTTLE BODY FROM COURTESY FORD FOR $278.00 INSTALLATION WAS QUOTED AS $386.00. I OPTED TO HAVE MY BROTHER INSTALL IT FOR ME. IT HAS BEEN 10 DAYS SINCE INSTALLATION AND THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE RESOLVED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES SINCE REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY BUT I STILL DO NOT TRUST THE CAR. I HESITATE TO TAKE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING RID OF IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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