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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

33 reports
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44,886 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED, I HAD NO POWER. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE STARTED AND BACK AT FREEWAY SPEED. A FEW MILES LATER, THE SAME HAPPENED. THIS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HUN…

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I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED, I HAD NO POWER. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE STARTED AND BACK AT FREEWAY SPEED. A FEW MILES LATER, THE SAME HAPPENED. THIS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. START,STOP,START STOP ETC. COST TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP...$1000. NOV. 22, 2012 (TWO MONTHS LATER) @ 48200 MILES, AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY, THE SAME HAPPENED. ONE HUNDRED MILES AND FOUR HOURS LATER I GOT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. ANOTHER FUEL PUMP, THIS TIME IT WAS WARRANTY BY PLANET FORD HERE IN SPRING, TEXAS. NOV. 2, 2012 AT MILEAGE 56023 ANOTHER FUEL PUMP FAILURE. FORD SAID ONLY THE FIRST PUMP FELL UNDER THEIR WARRANTY POLICY. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT FORD, I SHOULD TRY NOT TO LET THE FUEL TANK GET LESS THAN HALF FULL, THE FUEL IN THE TANK KEEPS THE PUMP COOL. ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT GOES THRU THE TANK, THE TANK IS "SPLIT" AND CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT. CAN YOU HELP? THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500143

85,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE 2007 FREESTYLE WHICH WAS BUILT NEAR THE END OF 2006. IT WAS OK WHEN FIRST PURCHASED AS USED BACK IN 2008. BUT AS TIME WENT ON ITS THROTTLE BEGAN TO SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY. EVENTUALLY IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH FOR MY WIFE AND I TO NOTICE HOW IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON. IT'S PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM WHILE PULLING I…

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THE 2007 FREESTYLE WHICH WAS BUILT NEAR THE END OF 2006. IT WAS OK WHEN FIRST PURCHASED AS USED BACK IN 2008. BUT AS TIME WENT ON ITS THROTTLE BEGAN TO SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY. EVENTUALLY IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH FOR MY WIFE AND I TO NOTICE HOW IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON. IT'S PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM WHILE PULLING IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE DAY BEGINNING WHEN THE CAR IS BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. WE HAVE LEARNED TO KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FROM CRASHING INTO ANYTHING. TO ME THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. BUT I DON'T DRIVE IT AS OFTEN AS DOES MY WIFE. SHE SAYS THAT THE PROGRESSION OF THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE SLOWED DOWN. BUT SHE SAYS SHE HAS GOTTEN USED TO COMPENSATING FOR IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING OCCASIONALLY. MAYBE THAT IS RELATED TO THE SURGING THROTTLE. BUT SO FAR WE HAVE NOT NOTICED THE STARTING PROBLEM CORRELATING WITH ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THERE IS A RECALL TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. THAT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499967

72,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE AT A SIGNAL COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE VEHICLE MOTOR REVVED AND EXCELLED ACTED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DIE AND ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER RESTARTING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. WE HAVE HAD OUR TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT. THE AMOUNT OF TIM…

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WHILE AT A SIGNAL COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE VEHICLE MOTOR REVVED AND EXCELLED ACTED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DIE AND ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER RESTARTING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. WE HAVE HAD OUR TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT. THE AMOUNT OF TIMES IT HAPPENED AND TORQUE IT PRODUCED CAUSED DAMAGE IN TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS REFUSE TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY SAY THIS MODEL IS KNOW TO DO THIS AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. I AM OUT $7000 AND A UNRELIABLE CAR THAT IS UNSAFE TO PUT MY WIFE AND KIDS IN. FORD HAS SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND WOULD COST ME ANOTHER $5000, AND WE'RE NOT SURE IF THEY THEMSELVES COULD FIX IT. THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS, BUT WOULD BE WILLING TO RESEARCH IF I PAY FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490671

96,000 miles · Dec 1, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, MY FORD FREESTYLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD EVEN WHILE BRAKING. I HAVE JUMPED CURBS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAUSES SOMEONE SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486644

114,684 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHILE STOPPED THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT ENGAGING THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480787

77,977 miles · Oct 14, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

LOW SPEEDS FORWARD OR REVERSE, HERE IN FLORIDA HOT HUMID ENVIRONMENT, CAR ACCELERATES FASTER THAN FOOT PEDAL RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480057

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I PURCHASED MY 2007 FF DEC OF 2010. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED MILD ACCELERATION SOMETIMES WITHOUT APPLYING MY FOOT TO THE PEDAL. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE BY MID JUNE. SO MUCH SO THAT I CONTACTED DRIVETIME WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR & THEY GAVE ME SOME TRANSMISSION SHOP TO TAKE IT TO, ONLY BE TOLD THAT IT WAS N…

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I PURCHASED MY 2007 FF DEC OF 2010. THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED MILD ACCELERATION SOMETIMES WITHOUT APPLYING MY FOOT TO THE PEDAL. IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE BY MID JUNE. SO MUCH SO THAT I CONTACTED DRIVETIME WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR & THEY GAVE ME SOME TRANSMISSION SHOP TO TAKE IT TO, ONLY BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THAT PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION. WELL, BY 2012, THE UNINITIATED ACCELERATION HAS BECOME SO BAD THAT A FEW MONTHS AGO MY CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN & RAN SLAM INTO THE BACK OF A LADY'S CAR CAUSING MORE THAN $2000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO POLICE THAT MY CAR ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING BUT SLIGHTLY LIFTING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE (NEVER TOUCHING THE GAS). HE DIDN'T GIVE ME A TICKET BUT SAID IT WAS STILL MY FAULT. MY KIDS CALL THE CAR A TRANSFORMER BUT IT IS THE WORSE TRYING TO KEEP IT FROM PLUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD & HITTING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE! I HAVE TO MAKE ABSOLUTE SURE NO ONE IS AROUND WHEN I AM IN SHOPPING LOTS BECAUSE I AM AFRAID WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF BACKWARDS FROM PARKING SPACES. I USUALLY HAVE TO SLAM ON BRAKES BUT THEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF &ON COMES THE ENGINE LIGHT. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FREESTYLE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479215

60,000 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

NOT LONG AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE, SUMMER CAME AND I WAS USING THE AIR CONDITIONER A LOT. I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE AC WAS RUNNING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH, THE CAR WOULD "LURCH" FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS (PROBABLY 5 MPH OR LESS ). WHEN I WAS PARKING THE CAR, ROLLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WITH MY FOOT HOVERING OVER THE B…

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NOT LONG AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE, SUMMER CAME AND I WAS USING THE AIR CONDITIONER A LOT. I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE AC WAS RUNNING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH, THE CAR WOULD "LURCH" FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS (PROBABLY 5 MPH OR LESS ). WHEN I WAS PARKING THE CAR, ROLLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WITH MY FOOT HOVERING OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL, AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE PROPER SPOT, THE CAR WOULD "LURCH". WHEN I WOULD BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT HOVERING ABOVE THE BRAKE, IT WOULD "LURCH". THIS PROVED TO BE A SCARY SITUATION MANY TIMES AS THERE WERE CARS PASSING IN THE PARKING LOT. MANY TIMES, I COULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR. EVEN IN THE DRIVE THROUGH OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS WITH OTHER CARS IN LINE, MANY TIMES I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MANY TIMES, MY CAR HAS "LURCHED" AND STALLED. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON, AND IF I DON'T TURN THE CAR ALL THE WAY OFF IN PARK, THE CAR DOES NOT BEHAVE PROPERLY (AS IN NO ACCELERATION) NOR DOES THE WRENCH LIGHT GO OFF. IN THE BEGINNING, I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING ON HIGH. THE PROBLEM STOPPED IN THE WINTER WHEN THE AC WASN'T BEING USED. HOWEVER, IN THE SUMMER OF 2011, IT ALL STARTED AGAIN. MY AC WENT OUT, SO I HAD IT WORKED ON. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. TODAY, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I ALMOST HIT A CHILD IN A PARKING LOT THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE MY CAR "LURCHED". I BEGAN SEARCHING AND FOUND THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME SCARY PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD FREESTYLES. IT SOUNDS AS IF I AM MAYBE LAZY OR NOT TOO CONCERNED SINCE I HAVEN'T HAD THIS CHECKED EARLIER, BUT FRANKLY, I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON REPAIRS, SO I KEEP HOPING IT WON'T CAUSE A DISASTROUS SITUATION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT DOES BECOME DEADLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478418

82,510 miles · Sep 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. AT FIRST IT WAS VERY INTERMITTENT. NOW IT IS ALMOST EVERY TIME I USE THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT FORD IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. SO FAR THERE AS NOT BEEN A RECALL. HE SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE HE CANNOT GET THE P…

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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. AT FIRST IT WAS VERY INTERMITTENT. NOW IT IS ALMOST EVERY TIME I USE THE CAR. I TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT FORD IS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. SO FAR THERE AS NOT BEEN A RECALL. HE SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT BECAUSE HE CANNOT GET THE PARTS. MY CAR WITH LUNGE FORWARD WHEN I TURN IT ON. IT ALSO WILL SURGE WHEN I GO INTO REVERSE. TODAY WHEN I WAS DROPPING MY YOUNGEST SON AT SCHOOL IT LUNGED FORWARD IN THE AREA WHERE CHILDREN AROUND. I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME CONTROLLING THE CAR. IT NOW IS BECOMING A BIGGER SAFETY ISSUE. WHY IS FORD NOT RECALLING THIS CAR? IT IS NOT SAFE! WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF? MY CONCERN IS SOMEONE IS GOING BE SEVERELY INJURED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. BEFORE THIS ISSUE I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH MY FREESTYLE. NOW I AM SO SCARED. FORD PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476560

61,463 miles · Sep 10, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW 8/18/07 FROM PALM COAST FORD. IN MAY OR JUNE 2010 I BEGAN NOTICING THE CAR LUNGING WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR ONCE YOU HAVE BACKED OUT AND THEN PLACED INTO DRIVE. I ALSO ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR STALLING IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE. ON 7.5.10 THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH…

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WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW 8/18/07 FROM PALM COAST FORD. IN MAY OR JUNE 2010 I BEGAN NOTICING THE CAR LUNGING WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS OR ONCE YOU HAVE BACKED OUT AND THEN PLACED INTO DRIVE. I ALSO ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR STALLING IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE. ON 7.5.10 THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH PALM COAST FORD FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE "ISSUES." AS THIS "ISSUE" DID NOT SEEM APPROPRIATE I VISITED THE DAYTONA BEACH FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THIS WAS NOT A DOCUMENTED VISIT AS WAS THE PALM COAST FORD VISIT. THE DAYTONA FORD SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED IT WAS A JUST THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT STALLING WHEN BACKING UP OR PULLING FORWARD. SO I LIVED WITH THIS PROBLEM HOPING THAT IT WOULDN'T LUNGE AND HIT SOMEONE IN A PARKING LOT. MY BROTHER FINALLY RODE WITH ME AND SAID THIS IS NOT CORRECT SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NON-FORD REPAIR SHOP WHO RECOMMENDED A TUNE-UP BE ACCOMPLISHED. THIS OCCURRED OCT. 25, 2011 AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, NOW WHATEVER THEY ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE TUNE-UP IS NOW WEARING OFF AS THE VEHICLE HAS BEGUN IT'S LUNGING PROBLEM AGAIN IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. THAT'S WHEN I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THESE INCIDENT REPORTS SO I WANT TO REPORT MY PROBLEM TO HELP YOU DOCUMENT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL CAR. I LIKE MY FREESTYLE BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE LUNGING SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474576

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