NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,974 reports78,400 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Engine
I WAS TURNING INTO A BANK PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. IT TOOK A MINUTE TO EVEN REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WHEN THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF I REALIZED THE ENGINE HAD TURNED OFF. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK. IT STARTED BACK UP WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING OR ANY…
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I WAS TURNING INTO A BANK PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. IT TOOK A MINUTE TO EVEN REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WHEN THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF I REALIZED THE ENGINE HAD TURNED OFF. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK. IT STARTED BACK UP WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING OR ANY INDICATION THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO JUST SHUT DOWN. HAD ANOTHER CAR BEEN BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522206
114,800 miles · Jun 21, 2013
SteeringCrash
I WAS TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE POWER STEERING/STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND I CRASHED INTO A CURB, *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521037
59,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
AC STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. CALLED DEALERSHIP. WHEN I TOOK IT THERE, STARTED BLOWING COLD AGAIN. HAS BLOWN HOT AIR FOR 30-40 MINUTES 2 MORE TIMES THEN BLOW COLD AND ACT FINE. MONDAY, DROPPED OFF AT DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT OVERNIGHT, FIXED MOISTURE PACKS OR SOMETHING THEY CALLED THEM. PICKED UP CAR DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY. YESTER…
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AC STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. CALLED DEALERSHIP. WHEN I TOOK IT THERE, STARTED BLOWING COLD AGAIN. HAS BLOWN HOT AIR FOR 30-40 MINUTES 2 MORE TIMES THEN BLOW COLD AND ACT FINE. MONDAY, DROPPED OFF AT DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT OVERNIGHT, FIXED MOISTURE PACKS OR SOMETHING THEY CALLED THEM. PICKED UP CAR DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY. YESTERDAY, BLEW HOT AIR AGAIN. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, IT WAS BLOWING COLD AGAIN. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AND THEY ARE A FORD DEALERSHIP!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520887
65,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Structure
I PURCHASED A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN SUMMER OF 2010. MAY OF 2013 PAINT BEGAN TO CHIP AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELLS EXPOSING RUST THAT HAD BEEN THERE FOR WHAT HAD TO HAVE BEEN A LOT LONGER THAN JUST THE PREVIOUS WINTER. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY TO GET THIS RESPONSE (SHORTENED FOR SPACE): AFTER REVIEWING MY RESOURCES, THERE …
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I PURCHASED A USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN SUMMER OF 2010. MAY OF 2013 PAINT BEGAN TO CHIP AROUND THE REAR WHEEL WELLS EXPOSING RUST THAT HAD BEEN THERE FOR WHAT HAD TO HAVE BEEN A LOT LONGER THAN JUST THE PREVIOUS WINTER. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY TO GET THIS RESPONSE (SHORTENED FOR SPACE): AFTER REVIEWING MY RESOURCES, THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES OR PROGRAMS IN EFFECT THAT WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE OF YOUR CURRENT CONCERN. I HAVE ALSO VERIFIED THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY OPEN RECALL PROGRAMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU FEEL THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF YOUR VEHICLE. HOWEVER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WORK TOGETHER TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALER FEEDBACK. DURING AN INVESTIGATION FORD COOPERATES FULLY WITH NHTSA. DUE TO OUR RIGOROUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND CONSTANT TESTING, NOT ALL ISSUES RESULT IN RECALL OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS. IF A PROGRAM IS ANNOUNCED ON A SPECIFIC COMPONENT, FORD WILL NOTIFY YOU BY MAIL. IT WAS FURTHER EXPLAINED TO ME VIA PHONE THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED 6/2007 IT WAS OUT OF A 5 YEAR WARRANTY AND FURTHER SINCE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. UPON DOING RESEARCH BEFORE CONTACTING FORD I FOUND THIS WAS AN ISSUE AS EARLY AS THE 2005 MODEL ESCAPE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A COMPANY TO CONTINUE TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS. I AM FORTUNATE THAT FINANCIALLY I AM IN A POSITION WHERE GETTING A BETTER CAR WAS POSSIBLE AND HAS BEEN DONE, BUT WHO RESOLVES THIS FOR OTHER OWNERS WHOM COULD NOT SEE THE ISSUE UNTIL PAINT CHIPS, LIKE ME AND THEN ARE TOLD, FORD WHOM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT WILL NOT BE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520473
59,391 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Power Train
ADDENDUM: ORIGINAL NHTSA#10283836 (SEPT 2009) BOUGHT CERTIFIED USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN 2009. BEFORE THE FIRST PAYMENT, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING ASSEMBLY BLEW, DUMPING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO MY DRIVEWAY (PART #8L8Z-19712-J, TSB 09 09 04). MILEAGE: 21,775. COST OF $1000+ REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FAST FORWAR…
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ADDENDUM: ORIGINAL NHTSA#10283836 (SEPT 2009) BOUGHT CERTIFIED USED 2008 FORD ESCAPE IN 2009. BEFORE THE FIRST PAYMENT, THE TRANSMISSION COOLING ASSEMBLY BLEW, DUMPING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO MY DRIVEWAY (PART #8L8Z-19712-J, TSB 09 09 04). MILEAGE: 21,775. COST OF $1000+ REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. FAST FORWARD, MAY 2013 (MILEAGE: 59,391). AS PREDICTED BACK IN 2009 BY MANY HERE ON THIS WEBSITE: COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT DIED IN 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC, AS I BLOCKED VEHICLES, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FLUSHED: 2009, 2011, 2012, AND TOPPED OFF OTHERWISE; MEASURES I TOOK TO PROTECT AGAINST THIS EXACT FAILURE. YET IT COMPLETELY FAILED, <60,000 ODOMETER MILES. THIS $3000 REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CURRENT WARRANTY: NOW 12 MONTHS/12,000 MILES. MINUS TOW TRUCK, 2 MISSED WORK DAYS, AND LOSS OF USE OF MY VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS. IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THIS DANGEROUSLY FLAWED DESIGN (SHARING AN AC/TRANSMISSION CONDENSER) WILL FAIL YET AGAIN, EVEN AS SOON AS 6 MONTHS. THERE IS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONDENSER ASSEMBLY ALLOWS THE FLUID TO REMAIN CHRONICALLY LOW FOR LONG PERIODS. I TOPPED MY FLUIDS REGULARLY & PROACTIVELY FLUSHED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, YET THE TRANSMISSION STILL BURNED UP AND FAILED. NOTE THE REPETITION OF THE WORD ?BURNT? IN THE TECHNICIAN NOTES, EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS WERE LISTED AS OK. THE CONDENSER ASSEMBLY (W/ AC & TRANSMISSION SHARING A CONDENSER W/ A FLAWED WELD THAT BURSTS), AND THE CHRONIC PROBLEM W/ THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING THAT COMPLETELY FREEZES THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE ON FAILURE ARE HUGE SAFETY ISSUES. TRAGEDY IS PREDICTED. FOLLOWED W/ CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. MEMOS WILL REVEAL DISCUSSIONS ALL ALONG REGARDING THE EPIC FAIL OF THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. OUR SAFETY AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE ARE MINOR COLLATERAL DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519451
80,903 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AROUND 5-10 MPH, HIT THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. THE CAR TOOK OF AT AROUND 40-50MPH JUMPED A FENCE AND CRASHED INTO A RAVINE, HITTING A BIG TREE. I WAS PINNED IN THE AUTOMOBILE HIT MY HEAD AND INJURED MY LEG. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE I SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJUR…
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I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AROUND 5-10 MPH, HIT THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. THE CAR TOOK OF AT AROUND 40-50MPH JUMPED A FENCE AND CRASHED INTO A RAVINE, HITTING A BIG TREE. I WAS PINNED IN THE AUTOMOBILE HIT MY HEAD AND INJURED MY LEG. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE I SUFFERED A SPINAL CORD INJURY AND A HUGE HEMATOMA ON MY LEFT LEG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519404
60,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE IN OVERDRIVE. IT THEN WENT OUT AND REVVED UP TO 5,000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN OVER DRIVE OR DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET REAR ENDED. I HAD TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AND LIMP IT HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515569
80,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND SHE HAD TO USE BOTH HANDS TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10513908
66,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE REVVED BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE REVVED BUT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10513815
60,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
STICKY THROTTLE. ESPECIALLY WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. SOMETHING IS NOT CATCHING AND I HAVE TO PUMP GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO CATCH. PLEASE RECALL!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512269
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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