NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
39 reportsClear category filter36,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
THIS STARTED LAST YEAR, WHEN WARM WEATHER STARTED, TRIED TO BACK UP AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLING FOR AWHILE, FREESTYLE STALLED OUT AND TRIED TO JUMP, ABOUT THREE TIMES IN A ROW, BEFORE WE COULD GET IN DRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS IN WARM WEATHER. TOOK A FRIEND TO THE HOSPITAL ON 05/25/11…
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THIS STARTED LAST YEAR, WHEN WARM WEATHER STARTED, TRIED TO BACK UP AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLING FOR AWHILE, FREESTYLE STALLED OUT AND TRIED TO JUMP, ABOUT THREE TIMES IN A ROW, BEFORE WE COULD GET IN DRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS IN WARM WEATHER. TOOK A FRIEND TO THE HOSPITAL ON 05/25/11. DROVE TO EAST GATE FROM MY HOUSE TO PICK HER UP, STOPPED AT FAST FOOD PLACE, HAD TO WAIT FOR FOOD, NOTICED GAUGE NEEDLES ALL JUMPED UP AND THEN FELL BACK DOWN WHILE WAITING W/A/C AND ENGINE RUNNING IN PARK. PULLED OUT, WENT TO DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI, GOT INTO PARKING GARAGE, VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. I SLAMMED BOTH FEET ON BRAKE, TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANYONE, OR ANYTHING, VEHICLE STALLED. I RESTARTED, AND KEPT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE AGAIN TRIED TO LURCH OUT, AND THEN DIED. THIS HAPPEN 3 OR 4 TIMES IN SUCCESSION, FINALLY GOT VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL, AND PARKED IT. IT WAS PARKED ABOUT 30 MINUTES, DROVE BACK TO EASTGATE, AND THEN HOME. WRENCH AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AT TIME OF INCIDENT. IT WAS STILL ON WHEN I GOT HOME. IT WENT OFF AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. ON 5/30/11, DROPPED OFF FRIEND FROM WORK, ON MY WAY HOME, TALKED IN CAR FOR AWHILE WITH ENGINE AND A/C RUNNING WHILE IN PARK. UPON DRIVING TO MAIN ROAD, VEHICLE STALLED, RESTARTED NO ACCELERATION, WHEN I HIT THE GAS, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. PULLED OVER TO SIDE, TURNED EVERYTHING OFF, REMOVED KEY, RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. DEALERSHIP CALLED TODAY, SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND WILL COST ME ABOUT $600.00 TO INSTALL A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING, AFTER READING INFO ON EDMUNDS.COM UPDATED 06/0/8/11*BF
NHTSA ODI #10406396
60,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 A FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 A FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,522 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE DEFROSTER OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS IN USE, AFTER IDLING OR STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT HER FOOT ON BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT WOULD SURGE BACKWARD AND THEN STALL. UPDATED 06/21/11
NHTSA ODI #10401160
53,267 miles · May 14, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
WE OWN A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. IT HAS ROUGHLY 51,000 MILES ON IT WHICH HAVE BEEN ALL CITY/HIGHWAY MILES. WE HAVE NEVER TOWED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FOLLOWED BY LACK OF POWER FOR ABOUT A MONTH. TO GET POWER BACK, YOU MUST PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAIT FOR IT THE POWER TO KICK B…
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WE OWN A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. IT HAS ROUGHLY 51,000 MILES ON IT WHICH HAVE BEEN ALL CITY/HIGHWAY MILES. WE HAVE NEVER TOWED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FOLLOWED BY LACK OF POWER FOR ABOUT A MONTH. TO GET POWER BACK, YOU MUST PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAIT FOR IT THE POWER TO KICK BACK IN. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE IN TO LITHIA FORD IN BOISE, ID WHERE WE RESIDE AND WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD IT MAINTAINED. THEY INFORMED US THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OF COURSE, THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS REQUIRED FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. THE ESTIMATED COST IS $954! I GUESS WE ARE LUCKY THAT IT HAS NOT FAILED ON US YET AS THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS FRIGHTENING STORIES ABOUT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITHIN THE WEEK AND WILL BE RETAINING THE OLD PART. HOWEVER, THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH FORD FREESTYLES AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE OWNED A FORD ALL OF MY DRIVING LIFE AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AM REGRETTING BUYING THIS ONE. WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU TAKE NOTE OF THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FREESTYLE OWNERS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE 2007, AND IMMEDIATELY OPEN AN INVESTIGATION ON BEHALF OF US CONSUMERS. THANK YOU! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400878
50,000 miles · Dec 21, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other
2007 FREESTYLE SEL AWD W/50,000 MILES SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS AND STALLS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE ENTERS "LIMP" MODE UNTIL VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER ERROR CODES WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS. HOWEVER, BASED ON MY VERBAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM ALONE HE SUGG…
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2007 FREESTYLE SEL AWD W/50,000 MILES SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS AND STALLS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE ENTERS "LIMP" MODE UNTIL VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER ERROR CODES WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS. HOWEVER, BASED ON MY VERBAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM ALONE HE SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, SAYING "THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR THE FREESTYLE, 500, AND EDGE." I AM STILL DECIDING WHETHER TO SPEND THE $1000 THEY QUOTED ME FOR REPLACEMENT (A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER QUOTED ME $750). FOR ONE, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW SUCH A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION IS ALLOWED TO GO UNADDRESSED. TWO, HOW CAN THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, WHICH CONTROLS THE ENTIRE POWERTRAIN, NOT BE COVERED BY A POWERTRAIN WARRANTY? AND THREE, IF IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BY VERBAL DESCRIPTION ALONE, A DEALER KNOWS A MAJOR COMPONENT NEEDS REPLACEMENT, WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY FORD AT A NATIONAL LEVEL? HERE'S MY VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10371964
47,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
2007 FORD FREESTYLE THROTTLE PROBLEMS ON JULY 30,2010 THE CAR SURGED BY IT'S SELF IN REVERSE. UPON GETTING THE CARD INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR STOPPED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS ON THE BRAKES. WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX. 1/8 MILE AND STOPPED THE CAR CUT OFF. ONCE AGAIN STARTING THE CAR IT SURGED FORWARD THIS TIME. NOW I'M HAVING TO PAY $901…
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2007 FORD FREESTYLE THROTTLE PROBLEMS ON JULY 30,2010 THE CAR SURGED BY IT'S SELF IN REVERSE. UPON GETTING THE CARD INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR STOPPED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS ON THE BRAKES. WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX. 1/8 MILE AND STOPPED THE CAR CUT OFF. ONCE AGAIN STARTING THE CAR IT SURGED FORWARD THIS TIME. NOW I'M HAVING TO PAY $901.00 PLUS TAX TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ON EDMUNDS.COM I HAVE READ AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. ONCE AGAIN FORD HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH THE SAME THING THAT TOYOTA GOT CAUGHT IN ITS ACTIONS. ALSO THE REPAIRMAN SAID THE SOFTWARE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED. PLEASE GO ONLINE AND LOOKED AT ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD FREESTYLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346771
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2010
Electrical System
THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WE BOUGHT ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES FROM OTHER VEHICLES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AT OVERWHELMING QUANTITIES. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA IN NEW MEXICO AND ARE GRATEFUL WE DON'T HAVE THIS CAR IN A BUSY CITY. THE EXHAUST THAT ENTERS OUR CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS LUCKILY WE HAVE CLEAN AIR AND CAN OPEN WINDOWS ALMOST YEAR R…
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THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WE BOUGHT ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES FROM OTHER VEHICLES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AT OVERWHELMING QUANTITIES. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA IN NEW MEXICO AND ARE GRATEFUL WE DON'T HAVE THIS CAR IN A BUSY CITY. THE EXHAUST THAT ENTERS OUR CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS LUCKILY WE HAVE CLEAN AIR AND CAN OPEN WINDOWS ALMOST YEAR ROUND. TURNING OFF THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING IS MOSTLY HELPFUL, BUT IN SOME WEATHER THAT'S ALSO DANGEROUS AND CERTAINLY UNCOMFORTABLE. WE ARE IRRITATED BY THE AC TURNING ON AUTOMATICALLY HOWEVER THAT PRESENTS NO DANGER. FINALLY THE LIGHT BULB FOR THE GAUGES HAS GONE OUT AT JUST 1 YEAR. I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT IT WILL COST MORE THAN $800 TO FIX THE BULB. FOR A SELF EMPLOYED MOTHER OF 6 THIS IS JUST TOO FAR OUT OF REACH AS IT IS ALMOST TWO MONTHS PAYMENTS. I BELIEVE THIS TOO CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND HALF OF THE SPEEDOMETER AT NIGHT. THE OTHER HALF OF THE SPEEDOMETER IS SOMETIMES LIT AND SOMETIMES NOT MAKING ME QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM. I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AND PRAY THAT THESE PROBLEMS DON'T CAUSE ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314048
50,000 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES AND WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, EVEN IF THERE ARE NO FAILURES. AS A RESULT, HE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES AND WARNING INDICATORS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER, HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, EVEN IF THERE ARE NO FAILURES. AS A RESULT, HE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE OR HOW FAST HE IS TRAVELING. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME DEFECT AND BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10277429
14,000 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Electrical System
ENGINE BEGAN STUTTERING, JERKING AND SEEMED ABOUT TO STALL. A/C WENT SPORADICALLY "WISH, WISH", ETC. AS IF A PERSON BREATHING HARD. LIGHTS DIMMED AND BRIGHTENED ALTERNATELY, LIGHTS ON DASH WENT BLACK, ALL DIALS WENT TO ZERO OR OFF, CHECK BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF WITH THE SAME PACE AS LIGHTS. CAR STALLED. RESTARTED RIGHT …
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ENGINE BEGAN STUTTERING, JERKING AND SEEMED ABOUT TO STALL. A/C WENT SPORADICALLY "WISH, WISH", ETC. AS IF A PERSON BREATHING HARD. LIGHTS DIMMED AND BRIGHTENED ALTERNATELY, LIGHTS ON DASH WENT BLACK, ALL DIALS WENT TO ZERO OR OFF, CHECK BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF WITH THE SAME PACE AS LIGHTS. CAR STALLED. RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY BUT WENT THROUGH SAME ROUTINE AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND SKID LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF AT SAME TIME. NO OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CONDITION WAS CHECKED AT DEALER BUT NO PROBLEM FOUND; NO CODES DISPLAYED. DROVE ANOTHER 2500 MILES AND NO PROBLEM. JUST STARTED AGAIN 9/4/2007 AND WORSE THIS TIME WITH VERY RAPID AND FREQUENT LIGHTS GOING OUT, STUTTERING OF AND FAILURE OF ENGINE MOMENTARILY. SEEMS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN. *JB *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATE 12/12/07
NHTSA ODI #10201872
21,188 miles · Jun 7, 2007
Electrical System
2006 FORD FREESTYLE - WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO ELETRICAL PROBLEM. THE ISSUE: THE INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER ON THE DASHBOARD IS NOT READABLE AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE SET BACK INTO THE DASH, THEY HAVE BLACK DIALS AND ARE NON-ILLUMINATED DURING THE DAY. WHEN YOU ARE …
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE - WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO ELETRICAL PROBLEM. THE ISSUE: THE INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER ON THE DASHBOARD IS NOT READABLE AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE SET BACK INTO THE DASH, THEY HAVE BLACK DIALS AND ARE NON-ILLUMINATED DURING THE DAY. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH ACTUAL LIGHT ENTERS THE CAR TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER AND GUAGES; YOU CANNOT SEE THE GUAGES AT ALL IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. OF COURSE AT NIGHT THERE IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE ILLUMINATED. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT; THE SPEED OR OTHER CONDITIONS NOT BEING CLEARLY VISIBLE COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10192699
NHTSA investigations
2PE11018 · 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