NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
369 reports31,940 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Tires
I OWN A 2008 FORD F-150 LARIAT WHICH IS LIGHTLY USED AND NEVER CARRIES A LOAD.THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK DRY ROTTED BY 5/19/11 AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE WAS 18369, COST TO ME WAS $362.00. NOW THE NEW TIRES HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I DO NOT HAUL CARGO OR DRIVE AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31944 WHICH MEANS THIS SE…
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I OWN A 2008 FORD F-150 LARIAT WHICH IS LIGHTLY USED AND NEVER CARRIES A LOAD.THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK DRY ROTTED BY 5/19/11 AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE WAS 18369, COST TO ME WAS $362.00. NOW THE NEW TIRES HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I DO NOT HAUL CARGO OR DRIVE AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31944 WHICH MEANS THIS SET LASTED JUST OVER TWO YEARS AND 13575 MILES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF A BLOWOUT AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE ROLLOVERS WITH PICKUP TRUCKS. I JUST WATCHED AN EPISODE OF MOTORWEEK THAT STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE STEEL BELTS OUT OF THE ELEMENTS OR THEY WILL FAIL BADLY AND THESE TIRES ARE CRACKED IN THE TREAD WHERE THERE IS LITTLE TO KEEP THE STEEL COVERED. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TIRE, BUT I'M NOT GETTING ANY SERVICE LIFE OUT OF A VERY EXPENSIVE TIRE. IT SEEMS BF GOODRICH AND FORD THINK THIS IS MY PROBLEM, GOODRICH BLAMES OZONE FOR THE PROBLEM, NOBODY WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I NOW OWN A TRUCK THAT I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE RIDE MY GRANDCHILDREN IN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524211
59,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
SteeringSuspension
I HAVE A 2008 F-150. AS I WAS TAKING AN EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UP & I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL & ENDED UP ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE EXIT.. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT BINDS UP & LOCKS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE U-JOINT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE OR LUBE THE U-JOINT. I HAVE NOTI…
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I HAVE A 2008 F-150. AS I WAS TAKING AN EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UP & I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL & ENDED UP ON THE GRASSY AREA OF THE EXIT.. THE PROBLEM IS THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT BINDS UP & LOCKS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE U-JOINT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GREASE OR LUBE THE U-JOINT. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MANY TIMES WITH NO ANSWERS OR RESPONSE. ON THE FORD FORUM SITE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF F-150 OWNERS WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH TRUCKS WHO'S WARRANTY'S JUST ENDED & HAD TO PAY $500 PLUS TO FIX IT, THERE ARE SOME WHO CRASHED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS LUCKY BUT IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD WOULDN'T CORRECT TIL SOMEBODY DIES. I PD.$30,000 FOR THIS TRUCK & OWE $16,000 AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY $500+ TO BE SAFE. HOW CAN YOU MAKE FORD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? I CAN SEND YOU THOUSANDS OF OWNERS E-MAILS SENT TO ME FROM THE FORUM. BAD ENOUGH WE HAVE TO PAY ALOT OF MONEY TO FIX THIS & STILL OWE A TON OF MONEY FOR THE LOAN FOR THE TRUCK, IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT FROM FORD. PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK WITH YOUR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522338
150,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND NEITHER COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND NEITHER COULD FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10521850
156,216 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Engine
THE #3 PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. THE BLOW-OUT STRIPED ALL THE THREADS FROM THE ENGINE HEAD. THIS DAMAGE CAUSED THE SPARK PLUG HOLE TO BE UNUSABLE. REINSTALLATION OF THE SPARK PLUG WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT ALSO CAUSED THE COIL TO BE BROKEN LEAVING THE COI…
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THE #3 PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD. THE BLOW-OUT STRIPED ALL THE THREADS FROM THE ENGINE HEAD. THIS DAMAGE CAUSED THE SPARK PLUG HOLE TO BE UNUSABLE. REINSTALLATION OF THE SPARK PLUG WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT ALSO CAUSED THE COIL TO BE BROKEN LEAVING THE COIL LAYING ON THE ENGINE STILL ACTIVE WITH HIGH VOLTAGE ARCHING ACROSS THE SURFACE OF THE ENGINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS INCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN UNCOMMON TO FORD ALUMINUM HEAD ENGINES AND IS A PROBLEM FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS. THE COST TO CONSUMERS IS IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT IN THE ENGINE HEAD. CONSUMERS ARE BEING FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE DUE TO THIS DEFECT. A QUICK INTERNET RESEARCH INTO THIS ANOMALY WILL REVEAL MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE VICTIMIZED BY THIS DEFECT. FORD SERVICE FACILITIES ARE MAKING MILLIONS IF NOT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AFTER THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE AS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF THIS UNREVEALED DEFECT. THIS IS NOTHING LESS THAN A CASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN BAD FAITH AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521313
81,654 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
ON MARCH 24, 2013, MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING TO DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPRT VIA I-70 EAST BOUND. MY TRUCK AS WELL AS MULTIPLE OTHER VEHICLES HIT SOME BLACK ICE ON A LONG BRIDGE I-70 EAST BOUND. BY TRUCK SLID SIDE WAYS AND HIT THE CONCRETE MEDIAN HEAD ON AND AT SAME TIME WAS HIT BY ANOTHER OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE WHICH HIT …
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ON MARCH 24, 2013, MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING TO DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPRT VIA I-70 EAST BOUND. MY TRUCK AS WELL AS MULTIPLE OTHER VEHICLES HIT SOME BLACK ICE ON A LONG BRIDGE I-70 EAST BOUND. BY TRUCK SLID SIDE WAYS AND HIT THE CONCRETE MEDIAN HEAD ON AND AT SAME TIME WAS HIT BY ANOTHER OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE WHICH HIT ME IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SPIN SEVERAL TIMES ACROSS 3 LANES AND RAN INTO GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. UPON ALL THREE IMPACTS THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK NOR DID ANY AIR BAGS DEPLOY CAUSING MY GIRLFRIEND TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND I STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST AND CHIN. WHEN THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED, THEY CUT TALL BATTERY CABLE TO PREVENT THE AIR BAGS GOING OFF ACCIDENTALLY WHILE WE WERE BEING REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK. NO TICKETS WERE ISSUED TO MYSELF OR THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK THAT HIT ME. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALLED AS THE FRAME WAS TWISTED AND TOTAL FRONT END WAS DESTROYED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD DIRECTLY. I SENT THEM PICTURES AND INFORMATION THEY ASKED FOR. THEY ARE REQUESTING INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO THE TRUCK THAT I CANNOT PROVIDE AS MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK POSSESION OF THE VEHICLE. TO THIS DAY FORD ONLY SENDS ME LETTERS ASKING FOR MORE INFORMATION I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO. THE PICTURES I SENT TO FORD SHOWED EVERY ANGLE OF THE FRONT END DAMAGE AS WELL AS PICTURES OF THE INSIDE CLEARLY SHOWING THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT SINCE I'M THE AVERAGE PERSON STRUGGLING TO MAKE A LIVING AND FORD IS THE BIG CORPORATION WITH BOTTOMLESS POCKETS THAT NOTHING WILL BE DONE OR HAS BEEN DONE. THIS IS CLEARLY A CASE OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT WHICH I SENT PROOF WITH THE PICTURES. BIG BROTHER STICKS IT TO THE AVERAGE PERSON AGAIN WITH NO CONSEQUENCES!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515472
32,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
05/31/2013 PURCHASED USED 06/29/2011 2008 FORD 150 MILEAGE: 26,440 ISSUE: ACCELERATOR HAS STUCK TWO TIMES IN TOWN. 1ST INCIDENT: 07/18/2012 MILEAGE 32,000 DRIVING IN TOWN WITH NO CRUISE CONTROL BEING USED. PREPARING TO TURN AT INTERSECTION, SPEED ABOUT 10 MPH, WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO ROAR. FIRST REFLEX WAS TO PRESS …
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05/31/2013 PURCHASED USED 06/29/2011 2008 FORD 150 MILEAGE: 26,440 ISSUE: ACCELERATOR HAS STUCK TWO TIMES IN TOWN. 1ST INCIDENT: 07/18/2012 MILEAGE 32,000 DRIVING IN TOWN WITH NO CRUISE CONTROL BEING USED. PREPARING TO TURN AT INTERSECTION, SPEED ABOUT 10 MPH, WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO ROAR. FIRST REFLEX WAS TO PRESS BRAKE WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO SQUEAL. PUT IN NEUTRAL WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SLOW DOWN TO NORMAL. 07/19/2012: TOOK TO FORD DEALER THEY STATED WITH OUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON THEY COULD ONLY GUESS AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE MAY BE. HAVE ENCLOSED THE WORK ORDER. INVOICE STATES CRUISE CONTROL STICKS, BUT BOTH INCIDENTS THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT BEING USED. 2ND INCIDENT: 05/29/2013 MILEAGE 40,260 SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT IN TOWN, SPEED ABOUT 15 MPH, ENGINE STARTED TO ROAR, PUT IN NEUTRAL, ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER BOTH DRIVE THIS VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY, I AM AFRAID THEY MIGHT NOT GET IT INTO NEUTRAL SOON ENOUGH TO KEEP FROM CAUSING INJURY TO A PERSON OR ANYTHING IN THE PATH. 07/18/2012: REPAIR CONSISTED OF CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. WITH OUT THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON, THEY JUST HAD TO GUESS AS TO WHAT REPAIR TO DO.THE SHOP MANAGER SAID IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY WOULD JUST HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM WOULD RECUR. THIS WOULD CAUSE US NOT TO HAVE USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR POSSIBLY MONTHS. VEHICLE FUNCTIONED FINE UNTIL 05/29/2013. IF I WERE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER, THEY AGAIN WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A GUESS AS TO THE REPAIR NEEDED. PLEASE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHAT I CAN DO WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514482
43,500 miles · May 10, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
TWICE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS MY TRUCK HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT I HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRAKE; BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND IT WAS CLEARLY A SURGE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. BOTH TIMES WERE AT LOW SPEEDS AND I WAS ABLE TO S…
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TWICE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS MY TRUCK HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT I HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRAKE; BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND IT WAS CLEARLY A SURGE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. BOTH TIMES WERE AT LOW SPEEDS AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY PUSHING HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS SURGING AGAINST THE BRAKES. I LOOKED UP INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT FORD DID NOT HAVE A BRAKE PEDAL ACCELERATOR INTERRUPTER ON THIS YEAR'S TRUCK. I CALLED MY FORD DEALER WHO SAID THAT NO ONE HAD REPORTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM TO HIM AND THAT THERE WAS NOT A TSB FROM FORD ON THIS ISSUE. WHEN I ASKED IF HE COULD PUT A BRAKE PEDAL INTERRUPTER ON MY TRUCK, HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS POSSIBLE. HE SAID HE WOULD FIND OUT AND CALL ME BACK, BUT NEVER DID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511362
51,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WHEN HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WHEN HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511274
119,000 miles · May 7, 2013
Engine
MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING OUR TRUCK AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DIE. IT STARTED BACK UP BUT IT WILL DIE WHEN YOU START TO SLOW DOWN FOR AN INTERSECTION OR TO PARK. OUR TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, ONLY HAS 121,000 MILES, AND HAS HAD ITS OIL CHANGES REGULARLY. THERE IS NO REASON WE SHOULD BE HAVING A …
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MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING OUR TRUCK AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DIE. IT STARTED BACK UP BUT IT WILL DIE WHEN YOU START TO SLOW DOWN FOR AN INTERSECTION OR TO PARK. OUR TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD, ONLY HAS 121,000 MILES, AND HAS HAD ITS OIL CHANGES REGULARLY. THERE IS NO REASON WE SHOULD BE HAVING A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THE TRUCK. WHEN I TALKED TO OUR LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC HE INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED THE CAM PHASERS IN 7 F-150'S IN THE PAST MONTH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BY FORD. THE REPAIR IS NOT CHEAP AND I BELIEVE FORD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK INTO THIS CONSIDERING THE DANGER OF THE VEHICLE DYING WHENEVER IT WANTS WITH NO WARNING. I THOUGHT I WAS GIVING MY SON A RELIABLE TRUCK TO DRIVE BUT AS IT TURNS OUT HE CANNOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS TO DANGEROUS FOR HIM WITH THE ENGINE DYING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510903
5,000 miles · May 1, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY TO 5,000 AS THE VEHICLE SURGED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE SURGING FAILURE. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY TO 5,000 AS THE VEHICLE SURGED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE SURGING FAILURE. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,760.
NHTSA ODI #10510271
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · 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