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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 System, Gasoline complaints

43 reports
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149,965 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Fuel System, GasolineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

UNKNOWN REASON: ON DEC.28 2016 I@ 1535 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE #30 IN ARKANSAS. I WAS DRIVING @ A SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN ALL THE POWER WENT OFF IN MY CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON FLASHERS OR RESTART CAR. BEHIND ME WAS A 18 WHEELER AND ON MY RIGHT SIDE WAS A CAR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE …

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UNKNOWN REASON: ON DEC.28 2016 I@ 1535 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE #30 IN ARKANSAS. I WAS DRIVING @ A SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN ALL THE POWER WENT OFF IN MY CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON FLASHERS OR RESTART CAR. BEHIND ME WAS A 18 WHEELER AND ON MY RIGHT SIDE WAS A CAR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS NOTICED I WAS IN TROUBLE. BOTH DRIVERS PUT THEIR HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND SLOWED TRAFFIC ENABLING ME TO STEER THE CAR ( WITH NO POWER) TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURNED THE RADIO AND HEATER OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT DID RESTART BUT I LEFT THE RADIO AND HEATER OFF. I WAS 34.1 MI FROM HOME. I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME AND DID NOT DRIVE OVER 60 MPH.( I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED !!!). WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME, I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE CAR KEYS WERE STILL IN THE ON POSITION! I HAVE CHECKED THE FORD WEBSITE ONLINE,NHTSA WEBSITE, CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER @ 1-866-436-7332 AND RISER FORD LINCOLN IN HOT SPRINGS, ARK @ 1 -888 -547 -3820 ( THIS IS WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) TRYING TO FIND RECALL NOTICES. IF THERE ARE SOME PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938630

84,000 miles · May 27, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

STARTED TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE SURGE PROBLEM THAT IS APPARENTLY PRETTY COMMON. MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED POSITION. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED CODE AT NAPA STORE. P0109 INDICATING FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR. LOCAL MECHANIC CLAIMED IT TO BE A FUEL FILTER PROBLEM. HAD MECHANIC CHANGE FILTER, PROBLEM…

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STARTED TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE SURGE PROBLEM THAT IS APPARENTLY PRETTY COMMON. MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED POSITION. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED CODE AT NAPA STORE. P0109 INDICATING FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR. LOCAL MECHANIC CLAIMED IT TO BE A FUEL FILTER PROBLEM. HAD MECHANIC CHANGE FILTER, PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR VERY SHORT TIME PERIOD. ABOUT MONTH LATER SAME PROBLEM AND ENGINE CODE. REPLACED FUEL SENSOR MYSELF. PROBLEM RETURNED 2 DAYS LATER WITHOUT ENGINE CODE. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS FOUND OUT ABOUT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12N03. CALLED LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK INTO HAVING VEHICLE CHECKED. WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE OPERATOR THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY BUT THEY WOULD LET ME PAY $150.00 DOLLARS TO CHECK OUT PROBLEM. I AM THINKING I WILL EXERCISE MY FREE WILL TO GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE FOR A KIA OR HYUNDAI MODEL THAT I CAN TRUST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594422

99,900 miles · Sep 14, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE HAD SURGING PROBLEM I ALL MOST GOT HIT,AND I WAS SO AFRAID COULDN'T DRIVE HOME MY HUSBAND HAD TO COME GET ME, I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE,I PAID TO HAVE THROTTLE FIXED AT FORD SOME PEOPLE GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING, NOW THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT THIS IS REALLY SAD I PAID 32,000 IN 2…

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VEHICLE HAD SURGING PROBLEM I ALL MOST GOT HIT,AND I WAS SO AFRAID COULDN'T DRIVE HOME MY HUSBAND HAD TO COME GET ME, I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE,I PAID TO HAVE THROTTLE FIXED AT FORD SOME PEOPLE GETTING THEIR MONEY BACK BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING, NOW THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT THIS IS REALLY SAD I PAID 32,000 IN 2007 FOR THIS CAR NOW ITS WORTH 1,000 AND I STILL OWE 5,000.,TRANSMISSION STOP IN THE STREET WITH ME IN IT HAD CAR PULLED TO FORD THAT HOW I FOUND OUT ITS WORTH 1,000, I AM RETIRED ITS TAKING ALL MY MONEY, I STILL HAVE MY RECEIPTS WENT TO DOUG STANLEY FORD 515 NORTH I-35,DESOTO,TX 972 223-8050 JULY 28,2011 INVOICE [XXX],CUSTOMER #[XXX] (PLEASE HELP ME)I AM ON THE CITY BUS,WITH A CAR AT HOME I CANT DO ANYTHING WITH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10543567

63,989 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

12/20/12- VEH IDLES HIGH AND WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKING AS ADVISED BY A RECALL AND FORD DEALER STACHER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM.PROGRAM CODE; 12N03 REPAIR TYPE-31 WRTY CLAIM. CUSTOMER CODE A99. 4/25/13---VEH IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAD NEW THROTTLE BODY PUT ON AT FIRESTONE. CAR CUT OFF …

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12/20/12- VEH IDLES HIGH AND WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKING AS ADVISED BY A RECALL AND FORD DEALER STACHER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM.PROGRAM CODE; 12N03 REPAIR TYPE-31 WRTY CLAIM. CUSTOMER CODE A99. 4/25/13---VEH IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAD NEW THROTTLE BODY PUT ON AT FIRESTONE. CAR CUT OFF AND STALLED A FEW TIMES. FIRESTONE REINSTALLED OLD THROTTLE BODY AND WHEN WE TOOK THE VAN BACK TO FORD DEALER AND THEY AGAIN VERIFIED CONCERN AND PERFORMED IDS DIAGNOSIS, CODE PO613B, SECURE MAP SENSOR HOSE AND ROAD TESTED 26 MILES. DID NOT STALL,STATED IT MAY HAVE OTHER ISSUE. INVOICE COST $93.00 4/30/13----VEH SHUT OFF 4 OR 5 TIMES. SATCHER DEALER DROVE VAN AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 4/31/13 RECEIVED CAR FROM DEALER AND AFTER DUPLICATING PROBLEM RETURNED CAR BACK TO DEALER. 5/2-3/13 - RENTED ENTERPRISE VEHICLE. INVOICE COST $98+. 5/07/13 ADVISED TO COME GET THE CAR AFTER 10 DAYS WITHOUT LOANER CAR . NO PAPERWORK GIVEN ALTHOUGH REQUESTED. WHEN CALLED AND ASKED FOR PAPERWORK ADVISED THERE WAS NONE. WHEN ASKED OF WORK PERFORMED THEY SAID THEY REPROGRAMMED PCM. 5/26/13 CAR STOPPED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER THEY HOOKED IT TO AN ONBOARD COMPUTER. CAR DRIVEN FOR 5 WEEKS WITHOUT IT STOPPING AGAIN. 7/17/13 - DEALER REQUIRES COMPUTER BACK AND WAS TAKEN OFF THE CAR. SITUATION IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE ACCELERATION IS UNPREDICTABLE AND ENGINE POWER SHUTS DOWN AT ANY TIME.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531588

132,000 miles · Jun 30, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

AFTER STARTING THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IT IDOLS ABOUT 1000RPMS. UPON PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN YOU LIFT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL REV UP THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 2000RPMS AND SPEED FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THIS REV OF THE ENGINE LAST APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AND THEN THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL IDOL SPEED. THIS CREATES A DANGE…

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AFTER STARTING THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IT IDOLS ABOUT 1000RPMS. UPON PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHEN YOU LIFT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL REV UP THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 2000RPMS AND SPEED FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THIS REV OF THE ENGINE LAST APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND AND THEN THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL IDOL SPEED. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH IF YOU DO NOT ANTICIPATE THE ACCELERATION YOU COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522524

50,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AT IDLE SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520525

69,900 miles · Nov 12, 2012
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

ON THE DATE SHOWN, WHILE DRIVING IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION AND ENTERING THE CEMETERY MY VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH, LUNGE AND BUCKING. TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS BUT DIDN'T RESPOND. I THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN I STARTED UPON LEAVING THE CEMETERY THE VEHICLE STARTED THIS AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MAINTENANCE PERS…

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ON THE DATE SHOWN, WHILE DRIVING IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION AND ENTERING THE CEMETERY MY VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH, LUNGE AND BUCKING. TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS BUT DIDN'T RESPOND. I THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN I STARTED UPON LEAVING THE CEMETERY THE VEHICLE STARTED THIS AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MAINTENANCE PERSON TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS BEING CAUSED BY A SENSOR AND THAT I COULD SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THIS SEEMED TO WORK FOR A WHILE THEN THE SAME PROBLEMS KEPT OCCURRING. THIS WAS MENTIONED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO THE DEALER WITH THE SAME EXPLANATION. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOW CREATED ANOTHER IN THE THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE IS GONE.

NHTSA ODI #10484421

85,000 miles · Oct 1, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WE PURCHASED THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ONLY ONE MONTH AGO FROM A DEALER IN BLAIR NEBRASKA WHO CERTIFIED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PURCHASED. WE HAVE NOT OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. WHILE DRIVING TODAY WITH THE FAMILY (CHILDREN INCLUDED) DOWN THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING IN THE CEN…

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WE PURCHASED THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ONLY ONE MONTH AGO FROM A DEALER IN BLAIR NEBRASKA WHO CERTIFIED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PURCHASED. WE HAVE NOT OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. WHILE DRIVING TODAY WITH THE FAMILY (CHILDREN INCLUDED) DOWN THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING IN THE CENTER OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKY NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED! THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING AND THEN WOULD NOT GO OVER 25 MPH. WE ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE PERFORMING THE SAME WAY WITH MANY OTHERS IN CLASS ACTION AND FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428145

30,600 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

AT A SLOW SPEED IN EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE ENGINE SEEDED UP WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK I SEE W…

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AT A SLOW SPEED IN EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW. A COUPLE OF TIMES THE ENGINE SEEDED UP WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK I SEE WHERE FORD BRUSHES THE PROBLEM OFF AS BEING MINOR.I THINK THIS IS A DANGEROUS THING AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. IF IT HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE PARALLEL PARKING IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT . ALSO WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE YOU COULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WITH OVER 200 COMPLAINTS I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS DEFECT BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423841

66,673 miles · Sep 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

AT FIRST OCCURRENCE, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PLACED IT ON THE BRAKE MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS UNEXPECTED LURCHING HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND HAPPENS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND IT REVS, AS IF I AM PUSHIN…

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AT FIRST OCCURRENCE, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PLACED IT ON THE BRAKE MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS UNEXPECTED LURCHING HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND HAPPENS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND IT REVS, AS IF I AM PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT WILL REV LIKE THAT AND IDLE DOWN A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL STALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423175

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