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

64,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013

Power Train

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ON, OR ABOUT THE DATE LISTED ABOVE, AND SEVERAL INCIDENTS LATER, OUR 208 FORD ESCAPE CONTINUES TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE STALLING. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS YIELDED NO CODES. AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP, WE NEEDED OUR CAR BACK, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO DRIVE IT AND LET MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER DRIVE MY HONDA BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, AND DOCUMENT ON THIS OFFICIAL WEBSITE, THAT THE STALLING PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY NHTSA AND AN INVESTIGATION TO THIS PROBLEM WAS STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2013 BY YOUR AGENCY. THIS PROBLEM, AS NOTED BY SO MANY OTHERS, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED IN MVAS AS A RESULT. NOT SURE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET, BUT THAT IS INEVITABLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INITIATE LEGISLATURE OR A MANDATE, OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO, SO THAT FORD IS FORCED TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. I AM PERSONALLY HOLDING FORD, AND THE NHTSA RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN AN EXPEDITIOUS MANNER. GOD FORBID THAT THERE SHOULD BE ANYMORE INJURIES, OR ANYONE KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS ALREADY DOCUMENTED AND BEING INVESTIGATED. REMEMBER: ONCE YOU START AN INVESTIGATION, YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500906

100,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN VIBRATING AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500794

60,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013

Visibility

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A OPEN HIGHWAY, THE SUNROOF GLASS ON THE ABOVE VEHICLE (2008 FORD ESCAPE) EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE GLASS BUCKLED UPWARD WHEN IT BROKE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS @60 DEGREES AND CLOUDY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ANYWHERE NEAR. THE ABOVE MILES ARE APPX.. I WILL BE TAKING PICTURES FOR RECORD. *…

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NHTSA ODI #10500602

67,446 miles · Feb 26, 2013

Power Train

DRIVING ALONG AND THE WRENCH ICON COMES ON WHILE THE VEHICLE STALLS AND DECELERATES. THIS ISSUE REOCCURS CONSISTENTLY AND APPEARS TO BE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO SMOOTHLY TRANSITION AUTOMATICALLY INTO 2ND/3RD GEAR. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET B…

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NHTSA ODI #10500081

90,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013

Steering

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE GOING 45MPH MY POWER STEERING FAILED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF. ONCE I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. I LOOKED UP ON LINE ABOUT THIS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I'M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE ABOUT IT. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS I FEEL SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499980

58,381 miles · Feb 24, 2013

Steering

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CAR INVOLVED IS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT. WHILE ON A 250 MILE TRIP, I HAD EXITED I-20 AND WAS DRIVING APPROX 40MPH ON A 5 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A CLICK AND THE STEERING BECAME TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. IT TOOK MY ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE STEERING CAPABILITY RETURNED TO NORMAL. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND SEVERE CRASHES, THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST A "SOFT RECALL" ON THE STEERING SENSORS, COLUMN AND POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499849

120,000 miles · Feb 24, 2013

Steering

THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING IS FAILING ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM SO IS NOT ATTRIBUTED TO LOW FLUID LEVELS, HOSES, OR LINES. THIS IS A POPULAR PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499845

147,000 miles · Feb 23, 2013

Steering

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I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHUTTER RAPIDLY. THE SHUTTERING MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. LATER THAT WEEK THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I WAS MANUEVERING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499779

89,853 miles · Feb 21, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control

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I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED. THIS HAS HAPPENED PERIODICALLY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WHEN DRIVING, HOWEVER IT WOULD BE FOR ONLY JUST SECONDS. TODAY IT WENT ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND I LIFTED THE PEDAL UP AND MOVED THE MAT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT STUCK UNDERNEATH. AFTER 5 TO 10 MINUTES OF SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN, IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILE AND IT AGAIN LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T PUSH IT DOWN AND THE CAR CAME TO A STANDSTILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE COMING. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MINUTES IT STARTED TO WORK AGAIN AND THEN WORKED FINE AS I DROVE 20 MILES INTO WORK. UPON LEAVING WORK, THE PEDAL LOCKED UP BRIEFLY APPROXIMATELY A DOZEN TIMES AND THE WOULD UNLOCK. THIS TIME I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND IT WAS MUCH MORE HAZARDOUS. TODAY WAS EXTREMELY SCARED BECAUSE THE CAR CAME TO A STANDSTILL WITH NO POWER. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MAJOR INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499626

60,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION TO TURN LEFT WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT CAME ON. I PROCEEDED TO STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL SO I COULD GO BUT FOR SOME REASON THE GAS PEDAL WAS HARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL. I KEPT ON PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE BOLTED AND WENT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTERSECTION WHERE THE LEFT TURNING LIGHT SIGNAL WAS NOW GONE AND NOW FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF INCOMING TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP BOTH DIRECTIONS AND EVENTUALLY AFTER CONTINUOUSLY PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR MOVED AND EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THE INTERSECTION. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN A DAY LATER WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL TO KEEP MOVING WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND THEN THE DAY AFTER THAT. THIS IS BECOMING A HAZARD AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. I CONTACTED FORD BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SINCE I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BEFORE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I 2010 AND RECEIVED A LETTER 3 YEARS AGO TO TAKE THE CAR TO BE FIXED, I ASSUMED THAT FORD WOULD HAVE FIXED IT AGAIN SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ISSUE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. I WOULD LIKE THE NTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS GAS PEDAL THAT IS STICKING AND HOPEFULLY FORCE FORD TO RECALL SUCH VEHICLES AS THEY ARE A DEATH TRAP ESPECIALLY FOR AN EXPECTANT MOTHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499579

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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