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2007 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

809 reports with mileage · 84 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 428 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 360 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

39 reports
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63,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED IN 2011. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT 30,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY REMOTE. ON JULY 6 2012 WITH AC ON DRIVING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING LOT CAR WOULD NOT GO. IT STARTED UP AND I WEN…

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VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED IN 2011. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT 30,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY REMOTE. ON JULY 6 2012 WITH AC ON DRIVING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING LOT CAR WOULD NOT GO. IT STARTED UP AND I WENT ABOUT 20FT AND CAR JUST DIED. ON JULY 10, 2012 TOOK IT TO DEALER IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. ON TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2012 I WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWERTRAIN AND THE COST WOULD BE $1600. I WENT BALLASTIC AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO MANAGER AND THEN ASKED FOR NUMBER TO FORD COMPANY. I TALKED WITH SOMEONE THERE EXPLAINED MY FINANCIAL SITUATION AND WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NUMBER AND SAID SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO ME IN FOUR (4) DAYS ABOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS NOT WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. I TOLD THE FORD REP, THAT I HAD BEEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET ABOUT ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY 2007 FREESTYLE AND ASKED WHY THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS CAR. ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012 DEALER CALLED AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE $1600.00 DEAL BUT A PIGTAIL (WHATEVER THAT IS) AT THE TUNE OF $600.00. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR AND I AM LOOKING TO GET RID OF IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465346

80,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD NECESSITATING A VERY QUICK CHANGE OF FOOT POSITION FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER BRINGING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AGAIN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE REPEATED LURCHING MOVEMENTS, AND AGAIN NECE…

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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD NECESSITATING A VERY QUICK CHANGE OF FOOT POSITION FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER BRINGING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AGAIN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE REPEATED LURCHING MOVEMENTS, AND AGAIN NECESSITATED RAPID CHANGE OF FOOT POSITION TO BRAKE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT PROBLEM, NOT ONLY WHEN MOVING FORWARD, BUT ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP, WITH NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS DETECTED. ONLINE DEFECTS SEARCH LISTS NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTION BEING TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY, A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461849

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2007 FORD FREESTYLE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD A BURNING SMELL AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE BURNING SMELL RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC CON…

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2007 FORD FREESTYLE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD A BURNING SMELL AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE BURNING SMELL RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. ALSO, THE MANIFOLD, GASKET AND SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY MELTED DUE TO HEAT. THREE MONTHS LATER. THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANY TYPE OF LEAK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE IGNITION COIL AND FANS, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD PROBABLY OVERHEAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10454124

90,000 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445939

5 miles · Jan 25, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I WAS TAKING MY TWO CHILDREN TO SCHOOL TURNED TO CROSS OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND CAR STALLED ON THE TRACKS. I TRIED TO RESTART & EVERYTIME I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR STALLED. FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR & BRAKE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO STALL WHEN MY CAR CAME CLOSE TO A …

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I WAS TAKING MY TWO CHILDREN TO SCHOOL TURNED TO CROSS OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND CAR STALLED ON THE TRACKS. I TRIED TO RESTART & EVERYTIME I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR STALLED. FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR & BRAKE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO STALL WHEN MY CAR CAME CLOSE TO A STOP. I HAD MY CAR CHECKED LAST YEAR FOR LUNGING & FORD COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, & IT CONTINUES TO LUNGE NOW IT IS STALLING. I WAS JUST LUCKY THERE WAS NOT A TRAIN COMING OR MY KIDS & I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445182

63,866 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS AT THE STORE WITH MY CHILDREN. WE WERE LEAVING THE STORE AS I PUT THE FREESTYLE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD "DROPPING" NOISE AND WOULD NOT REVERSE. I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK AND LOOKED AROUND THE OUTSIDE TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING VISIBLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE NOISE OR LACK OF MO…

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THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS AT THE STORE WITH MY CHILDREN. WE WERE LEAVING THE STORE AS I PUT THE FREESTYLE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD "DROPPING" NOISE AND WOULD NOT REVERSE. I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK AND LOOKED AROUND THE OUTSIDE TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING VISIBLE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE NOISE OR LACK OF MOVEMENT. I NOTICED THE CAR IDLING AT A HIGH RPM. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO TRY AGAIN WITH NO LUCK. THIS IS WHEN THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I THEN BECAME SCARED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON EVERYTHING WAS "NORMAL" AGAIN. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS AND TOLD ME TO CONTINUING DRIVING IT AGAIN UNTIL I GOT A LIGHT ON MY DASH TO PROVE TO THEM I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. THEY SERVICED MY TRANSMISSION AT THAT TIME AS WELL TO FIND NO ISSUES. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS WAS NOT COVERED WITH THE WARRANTY SO I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE 5 MORE TIMES, MOSTLY WHILE IN PARKING LOTS WHILE IDLE. HOWEVER THE LAST INCIDENT WAS 1/10/12. THIS SURGE PUT MY VEHICLE IN THE INTERSECTION. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS INCIDENT HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS DROPPING WHEN SWITCHING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AND IDLING HIGH. THE CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH OUT OF 2ND GEAR WHILE THE TECH TEST DROVE IT WITH ME. THERE WAS A NEW ISSUE THAT APPEARED WITH THIS INCIDENT. IT IS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE GAS WAS APPLIED. THE GRIND IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND THE BRAKE WOULD MAKE WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK WERE TO KICK IN, EXCEPT THE BRAKES ARE NOT BEING APPLIED. THIS HAS CAUSED THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT TO KICK ON. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR RELIGIOUSLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT SO I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. FORD HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SOLVE THESE ISSUES, CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, AND ALLOW THE VEHICLES TO BE DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443362

80,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE CAR STALLS OUT AND I GET THE WRENCH ON MY DASHBOARD. THE CAR WILL RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND RUNS FINE AT THAT POINT. THIS APPARENTLY MEANS THAT THERE IS A POWERTRAIN FAULT DETECTED. WHEN THE DIAGNOSTICS WERE RAN THEY PULLED THE CODE U0401 AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE ALOT OF FREESTYLES AND MERCURY'S WITH THIS…

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THE CAR STALLS OUT AND I GET THE WRENCH ON MY DASHBOARD. THE CAR WILL RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND RUNS FINE AT THAT POINT. THIS APPARENTLY MEANS THAT THERE IS A POWERTRAIN FAULT DETECTED. WHEN THE DIAGNOSTICS WERE RAN THEY PULLED THE CODE U0401 AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE ALOT OF FREESTYLES AND MERCURY'S WITH THIS CODE AND THAT IT WOULD BE $280.00 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427979

83,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

FOR THE PAST YEAR, WHEN THE CAR IS AT IDLE, BUT NOT IN PARK, WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT DRIVER ACTION, SURGE OR LURCH FORWARD. OR IF IN REVERSE, IT WILL SURGE BACKWARD. IF FOOT IS FIRMLY ON BRAKE, THE LURCH WILL NOT CAUSE MOVEMENT OF TIRES, JUST BODY OF CAR AS THE BRAKES RESTRAIN MOVEMENT. B…

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FOR THE PAST YEAR, WHEN THE CAR IS AT IDLE, BUT NOT IN PARK, WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT DRIVER ACTION, SURGE OR LURCH FORWARD. OR IF IN REVERSE, IT WILL SURGE BACKWARD. IF FOOT IS FIRMLY ON BRAKE, THE LURCH WILL NOT CAUSE MOVEMENT OF TIRES, JUST BODY OF CAR AS THE BRAKES RESTRAIN MOVEMENT. BUT IF IT OCCURS IN THE INSTANT THE DRIVER IS MOVING THE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE, OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING FIRMLY DEPRESSED BEYOND WHAT IS NEEDED TO RESTRAIN MOVEMENT WHILE AT IDLE, THE SURGE CAN BE 2-5 FEET BEFORE THE DRIVER IS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND CEASE THE MOVEMENT. WE HAVE ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN COMING OUT OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT CROSSING IN FRONT OF CAR AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH DRIVE-THROUGH. WE WERE AT A STOP TO RECEIVE FOOD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE ENOUGH TO STOP FORWARD MOVEMENT WHILE AT IDLE BUT NOT ENOUGH TO STOP WHEN SURGE OCCURRED. WE HAVE ALMOST HIT NUMEROUS CARS WHILE TRYING TO PARK, ESPECIALLY DURING PARALLEL PARKING ATTEMPTS. THE CONDITION COMES AND GOES. AT TIMES WHEN IT IS "ACTING UP" THE CAR ALSO LOSES ITS ABILITY TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND FOR GAS AND SPEED. PUSH ON ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND EXCEPT AT ONLY A VERY SLOW RATE, TAKING MANY SECONDS TO REACH A TOP SPEED OF 25-30 MPH. THIS HAS CAUSED SAFETY ISSUES WHEN IT OCCURS WHILE PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC, EVEN THOUGH DOING SO AT WHAT SHOULD BE A SAFE DISTANCE. MY WIFE IS NOW REFUSING TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN THE CONDITION IS OCCURRING DUE TO HER FEAR OF IT ACTING ON ITS OWN. IT STARTED IN THE 80,000 MILE RANGE. OUR CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 102,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423867

71,722 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL. ANY TIME CAR COMES TO COMPLETE STOP, UPON RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD INVOLUNTARILY. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ENGAGED AND MORE PRONOUNCED AT HIGHER BLOWER SETTINGS. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHILE PICKING UP KIDS AT SCHOOL. HAVE NOT EXPERIEN…

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VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL. ANY TIME CAR COMES TO COMPLETE STOP, UPON RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD INVOLUNTARILY. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ENGAGED AND MORE PRONOUNCED AT HIGHER BLOWER SETTINGS. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHILE PICKING UP KIDS AT SCHOOL. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED SURGE WHEN A/C OFF. RECENTLY HAD A/C PROBLEM AND WHILE A/C NOT WORKING-NO SURGE, THE FIRST DAY A/C FIXED-SURGE BACK. A/C PROBLEM FIXED WITH A SCROLL COMPRESSOR RELIEF VALVE. WE FEEL THE A/C AND THE SURGE PROBLEM ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED AND ARE VERY WEARY OF DRIVING VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR IT IS THE ONLY FAMILY VEHICLE WE OWN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM AND WE MUST USE THE A/C. SEVERAL TIMES HAVE COME CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS A REGULARLY OCCURRING PROBLEM THAT IS GETTING WORSE. TODAY, NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TOGETHER AND WE HAD TO STOP, TURN OFF VEHICLE AND RE-START. SOMETIMES ENGINE WILL DIE WHEN WE PUSH RAPIDLY ON BRAKE TO PREVENT SURGE. VEHICLE MUST THEN BE ALLOWED TO SIT FOR 30-60 SECONDS THEN BE RESTARTED. UNSURE SOURCE OF PROBLEM FROM A/C TO TRANSMISSION TO FUEL SYSTEM BUT ALL ARE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. THIS VEHICLE IS GETTING DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422833

50,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE SLOWING DOWN, BACKING UP OR PARKING, WITH THE AC ON, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGES 500-800 RPM'S. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WITH THE AC OFF. THE DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION, BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF AUTO IT IS; AUTOMATIC. UPDATED 07/05/11 *BF UPDATED 08/04/11

NHTSA ODI #10411132

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

2

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

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