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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

74 reports
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71,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION (OR LURCHING) WHEN IDLING OR MOVING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE DIRECTIONS, OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY IN HOT WEATHER. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416908

55,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

2007 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED TWICE IN MAY, 2011 WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT. INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 55,000 MILES. SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND DID NOT HIT NEIGHBORING VEHICLES. EARLY IN JUNE 2011, HAD OUR AC REPLACED WHICH WAS NOT WORKING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER AC WAS WORKING AGAIN, CAR LUNGED, WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED AND VEHICLE STALLED…

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2007 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED TWICE IN MAY, 2011 WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT. INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 55,000 MILES. SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND DID NOT HIT NEIGHBORING VEHICLES. EARLY IN JUNE 2011, HAD OUR AC REPLACED WHICH WAS NOT WORKING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER AC WAS WORKING AGAIN, CAR LUNGED, WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED AND VEHICLE STALLED DURING A LOW SPEED TURN. CAR PROCEEDED TO LUNGE AND SURGE REGULARLY WHEN IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE AND PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, RPMS WOULD GO BETWEEN 3000 AND 5000. THEN CAR WOULD DIE. WITH EXPERIMENTING, CAR WOULD NOT DO IT WHEN AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED OFF. WE RESEARCHED INTERNET AND LEARNED ABOUT SURGING AND THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS. HAD FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE PERFORMED AND HAVE NOT HAD RECURRENCE IN 90+ DAYS. DID NOT REPLACE THROTTLE BODY YET BUT SUSPECT IT WILL BE CLOGGED UP AGAIN WITH TIME AND MILEAGE. WE CAN'T PREDICT WHEN THE SURGING WILL HAPPEN. WE WILL NOT LET OUR TEENAGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416478

70,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER BEING AT IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN WHEN RESUMING DRIVING, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD STRONGLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. IT IS USUALLY AFTER I HAVE JUST BRAKED AND HAVE JUST LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CAR WILL "JUMP" FORWARD STRONGLY AND I HAVE TO QUICKLY STEP ON THE BRAKE AGAIN TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING. I HAVE NOT ACTUAL…

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AFTER BEING AT IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN WHEN RESUMING DRIVING, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD STRONGLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. IT IS USUALLY AFTER I HAVE JUST BRAKED AND HAVE JUST LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CAR WILL "JUMP" FORWARD STRONGLY AND I HAVE TO QUICKLY STEP ON THE BRAKE AGAIN TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING. I HAVE NOT ACTUALLY HAD A COLLISION BUT HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. THE SURGING ISSUE WAS REPAIRED ON 8/6/10. THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THEN THE CAR SPENT 4 MONTHS IN THE DEALERSHIP'S REPAIR CENTER DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AND THERE BEING NO PARTS IN EXISTENCE FOR IT. NOW THAT I FINALLY HAVE THE CAR BACK, IT HAS RESUMED THE SURGING ISSUE AND IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE DIES AFTER SURGING A FEW TIMES AND SOMETIMES THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON. TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTING SOMETIMES (BUT NOT ALWAYS) MAKES IT STOP SURGING. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND LEAVING IT FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE USING IT AGAIN SEEMS TO "RESET" THE ISSUE, BUT THE NEXT TIME I GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR HAVE TO SIT AT IDLE FOR ANY REASON IT STARTS SURGING AGAIN. SINCE THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED, I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD AND THEY ARE UTTERLY INDIFFERENT AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR HELP WITH THE PROBLEM AT ALL. IF YOUR INVESTIGATION LEADS TO A RECALL OR SOME OTHER REPARATIONS FROM FORD, PLEASE CONTACT ME. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10415955

64,900 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherCrash

SEVERAL TIMES MY VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING FORWARD AND REVERSE. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN THE A/C IS ON. EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE . I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING - EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.IT ALSO LOSES POWER ON THE FREEWAY…

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SEVERAL TIMES MY VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHEN MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING FORWARD AND REVERSE. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN THE A/C IS ON. EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE . I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING - EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.IT ALSO LOSES POWER ON THE FREEWAY AND BECOMES VERY SLUGGISH IN ACCELERATION.THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVING 10 MPH AND UP. ALSO I HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT,THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF AND I HIT A WALL IN MY GARAGE. ALSO, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD AND WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT WOULD ACCELERATE--THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR. WE FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND OUR MASTER TECH GUARANTEE DID NOT COVER THE EXPENSE. ALL THEY DID WAS CLEAN THE THROTTLE UP (IS EXPECTED TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS LATER) BECAUSE THE COST WAS OVER $700 AND WE CANNOT AFFORD IT AT THE TIME. SO, AFTER WE TOOK IT OUT OF THE SHOP THE CAR IS NOW ONLY ACCELERATING TO NO MORE THAN 4000 RPMS.

NHTSA ODI #10415881

32,102 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON THE CAR WILL JUMP FORWARD. THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET RID OF THE LIGHT. YESTERDAY IT DID THE SAME THING AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. SO FAR I HAVE KEPT FROM HITTING ANYTHING BY REA…

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I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON THE CAR WILL JUMP FORWARD. THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET RID OF THE LIGHT. YESTERDAY IT DID THE SAME THING AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. SO FAR I HAVE KEPT FROM HITTING ANYTHING BY REACTING QUICKLY AND SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES OR TURNING THE AIR OFF OR SITTING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT ONE OF THESE DAYS I MAY HIT A CAR OR A PERSON. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413928

70,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WILL LUNGE IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT STALLED LAST NIGHT WHEN IT WAS IN REVERSE AND THIS HAPPENED. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413900

105,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ON MAY 05 2011 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SECOND MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR BUT I ALSO HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, AND I TOLD THE FINANCE PERSON AND HE SAID OK WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT AND THEY NEVER DID. THEN NOW WE ARE IN THE THIRD MONTH OF HAVING T…

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I PURCHASED A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ON MAY 05 2011 AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SECOND MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR BUT I ALSO HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, AND I TOLD THE FINANCE PERSON AND HE SAID OK WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT AND THEY NEVER DID. THEN NOW WE ARE IN THE THIRD MONTH OF HAVING THIS VEHICLE, AND NOW IT CUTS OFF RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ME BACKING UP AND THE AC ON AND I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AGAIN. THEN THE CAR ACTS AS THOUGH ITS REVVING UP AND YOU COULD BE AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT WILL REV UP AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO REALLY PLACE YOUR FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. TOOK THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE FIRST TIME THEY DID NOT KNOW. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK UP AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE LAST TIME THEY TELL ME ITS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THEN THE GENTLEMAN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT'S BEEN A BIG PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS SINCE THEY HAVE CAME OUT. SO THIS COMPANY KNOWS THEY ARE SELLING LEMONS TO PEOPLE AND THEY DON'T EVEN CARE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413879

51,178 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE BODY REPLACED 6/7/10 DUE TO LUNGING WHILE CAR WAS BEING PARKED AND ONE OCCURRENCE IN REVERSE, AS WELL AS CAR DIEING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WERE MANY OCCURRENCES OF LUNGING AND ACCELERATION PAUSE BEFORE TAKING INTO DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE. NEXT TIME…

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THROTTLE BODY REPLACED 6/7/10 DUE TO LUNGING WHILE CAR WAS BEING PARKED AND ONE OCCURRENCE IN REVERSE, AS WELL AS CAR DIEING WHEN PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WERE MANY OCCURRENCES OF LUNGING AND ACCELERATION PAUSE BEFORE TAKING INTO DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE. NEXT TIME WE WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. CAR SEEMED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY UNTIL JULY 2011. EXACT SAME BEHAVIOR IS NOW TAKING PLACE LUNGING TYPICALLY WHEN IDLING THEN MOVING TO ACCELERATION AND THEN STOPPING SUCH AS AT A LIGHT OR PARKING. ALSO, PAUSED ACCELERATION (POTENTIALLY COULD DIE, ACTS LIKE IT WILL) WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOPPED POSITION. AGAIN, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. I AM WAITING FOR A MONITOR TO BE PLACED ON THE CAR TO CONFIRM ACTIVITY AND PROBLEM PARTS. EVERYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH ASSUMES THE THROTTLE BODY IS THE ISSUE AGAIN BUT BEING SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PART, CONFIRMATION WOULD BE PREFERRED BEFORE REPLACING AGAIN. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413600

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I AM GOING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR GOES DEAD. EXAMPLE BEING WHEN I TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY OR INTO A PARKING SPACE. ALSO THE CAR SURGES AND JUMPS FORWARD OR SOMETIMES BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK. IT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND IS DANGEROUS! I AM SO FRUSTRATED I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I ACTUALLY RAN …

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WHEN I AM GOING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR GOES DEAD. EXAMPLE BEING WHEN I TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY OR INTO A PARKING SPACE. ALSO THE CAR SURGES AND JUMPS FORWARD OR SOMETIMES BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK. IT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND IS DANGEROUS! I AM SO FRUSTRATED I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I ACTUALLY RAN ACROSS A SITE WHERE TONS OF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO NOT HAVE 750.00 PLUS TO PAY ON FIXING SOMETHING THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE THEY FOULED UP AND DID NOTHING ABOUT. AS WITH ALL THE OTHER CASES MY A/C QUIT LONG AGO. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND A RECALL ISSUED SO THEY CAN PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF AN ITEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. THANK YOU. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413246

52,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE CAR LEAPED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN. THIS HAPPENED ON 7/02/2011 FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE HAD THIS OCCUR SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, ALWAYS WHILE STOPPING OR PARKING THE CAR. IN ONE INSTANCE THE CAR WOULD OF STRUCK A LIGHT POLE, HAD THERE NOT BEEN A CURB THERE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHETHE…

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THE CAR LEAPED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN. THIS HAPPENED ON 7/02/2011 FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE HAD THIS OCCUR SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, ALWAYS WHILE STOPPING OR PARKING THE CAR. IN ONE INSTANCE THE CAR WOULD OF STRUCK A LIGHT POLE, HAD THERE NOT BEEN A CURB THERE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHETHER THE CAR IS COLD OR HAS RUN FOR AWHILE. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO DRIVE THIS CAR LIKE IT MAY LEAP FORWARD AT ANYTIME. FORD NEEDS TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOME IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10412634

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