NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
132 reports106,000 miles · Feb 8, 2022
Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the “Power Steering Assist” warning light illuminated and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering functionality returned however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that recently whil…
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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the “Power Steering Assist” warning light illuminated and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering functionality returned however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that recently while driving 20 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was driven back to the residence in manual steering mode. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure with a damaged power steering control module assembly which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #11450979
90,000 miles · Feb 2, 2022
Service Brakes, Air
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes became inoperable. The brake and stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. The LCD screen displayed an electronic braking message. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to d…
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The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes became inoperable. The brake and stabilizer warning lights were illuminated. The LCD screen displayed an electronic braking message. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure was due to the ABS control module. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11449889
86,000 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. THE DRIVER USED THE PARKING BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL KNIGHT FORD LOCATED AT 9607 SOUTH MEMORIAL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD TO DEPRESS. THE DRIVER USED THE PARKING BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL KNIGHT FORD LOCATED AT 9607 SOUTH MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #11374850
58,710 miles · Dec 27, 2019
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROUSH FORD (LOCATED AT 5575 KEIM CIRCLE, COLUMBUS, OH 43228, 614-888-333) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ROUSH FORD (LOCATED AT 5575 KEIM CIRCLE, COLUMBUS, OH 43228, 614-888-333) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V904000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE RECALL STOPPED AT MODELS MANUFACTURED IN 2010. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,710.
NHTSA ODI #11291592
68,400 miles · Sep 26, 2019
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BOULEVARD FORD LINCOLN OF LEWES AT 877-863-6365 (LOCATED AT 18443 COASTAL HWY, LEWES, DE 19…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED BOULEVARD FORD LINCOLN OF LEWES AT 877-863-6365 (LOCATED AT 18443 COASTAL HWY, LEWES, DE 19958) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,400.
NHTSA ODI #11258306
99,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD A GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ABS INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD RESET WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD A GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ABS INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD RESET WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD CRESTVIEW (4060 S FERDON BLVD, CRESTVIEW, FL 32536, (850) 682-2721) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #11244355
80,000 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING VEH FLASHES "STOP SLOWLY CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" THEN BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN BY ITSELF OR WONT EVEN MOVE IF YOU ARE ALREADY STOPPED/PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE BARELY HAVING TIME TO PULL OVER AND STOP OUT OF TRAFFIC BEFORE IT CUTS OFF!!! IT ALSO HAPPENED WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT AND W…
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WHILE DRIVING VEH FLASHES "STOP SLOWLY CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" THEN BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN BY ITSELF OR WONT EVEN MOVE IF YOU ARE ALREADY STOPPED/PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE BARELY HAVING TIME TO PULL OVER AND STOP OUT OF TRAFFIC BEFORE IT CUTS OFF!!! IT ALSO HAPPENED WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT AND WOULD NOT MOVE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES THAT MAY NOT HAVE A SHOULDER OR MEDIAN TO PULL OVER AT THAT TIME DUE TO CROSSING A BRIDGE ETC.
NHTSA ODI #11234041
65,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHOWS AN ERROR STATING "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND "CHECK BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM." COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AT THIS POINT, SO GOING UPHILL IS VERY DANGEROUS. STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING IT OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CAN MANAGE 1-2 MILES BEFORE THE ERROR HAPPENS AGAIN. FORD DEALERSHIP…
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WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-50 MPH THE VEHICLE SHOWS AN ERROR STATING "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND "CHECK BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM." COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AT THIS POINT, SO GOING UPHILL IS VERY DANGEROUS. STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING IT OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CAN MANAGE 1-2 MILES BEFORE THE ERROR HAPPENS AGAIN. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID ID WAS A CONTROL CIRCUIT OVERLAY OR HARNESS, COST OF REPAIR IS $400.00. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS A REGULAR WEAR ITEM AND NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR.
NHTSA ODI #11232393
65,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Service Brakes
THE VEHICLE SHOWS AN ERROR ON IGNITION STATING "CHECK ADVANCETRACK" AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION IT HAS MANUAL BRAKES, AND THEY MUST BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR TO ENGAGE. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTING IT SOMETIMES CLEARS THE ERROR AND I AM ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY, WITH ABS AND …
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THE VEHICLE SHOWS AN ERROR ON IGNITION STATING "CHECK ADVANCETRACK" AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION IT HAS MANUAL BRAKES, AND THEY MUST BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR TO ENGAGE. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RE-STARTING IT SOMETIMES CLEARS THE ERROR AND I AM ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NORMALLY, WITH ABS AND HIGHLY RESPONSIVE BRAKES. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE ABS MODULE AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU), WHICH THEY CLAIM ARE NORMAL WEAR ITEMS NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER AND THE COST OF REPAIR IS $1,800.00.
NHTSA ODI #11232386
108,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheels
MY DASH WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, ADVANCED TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE FAILURE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP... ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE ALL IN GOOD SHAPE. MY TIRES ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AS WELL. THERE …
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MY DASH WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, ADVANCED TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE FAILURE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I WAS COMING TO A STOP... ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. MY BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE ALL IN GOOD SHAPE. MY TIRES ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AS WELL. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA ODI #11231854
NHTSA investigations
3DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
PE14030 · Electric Power Steering Failure
Opened Oct 2, 2014 · Closed Sep 10, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints of the loss of power steering while driving. The subject vehicles are equipped with a rack mounted Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) unit.Some of the complaints alleged that the steering assist failed and resulted in increased steering efforts that contributed to a loss of control and in some cases a crash.The EPAS system was manufactured by TRW Automotive for Ford and was designated as Generation I.These units were first produced and put into vehicle production in July 2008 beginning with the model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.The system is comprised of a mechanical steering rack-and-pinion gear with torque sensor, electric assist motor, motor position sensor and a power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM is self-monitoring and designed to detect faults within the system and can store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) if a problem is detected.There are 29 potential DTCs the system can detect.Many of these allow the system to go into reduced-assist steering mode by using the default vehicle speed signal should the live speed signal be lost, if voltage to EPAS system falls below 10.7 or goes above 17 volts, the temperature at the PSCM goes above 105C (221F), or if high friction is detected.Some DTCs will cause the system to go into manual steering mode (no assist). On July 1, 2015, Ford filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a safety related defect in TRW GEN I EPAS systems installed in some of the subject vehicles (NHTSA Recall 15V-340, Ford No. 15S18).The DIR indicated that intermittent electrical connections caused by quality issues associated with conformal coat contamination and ribbon cable pin misalignment within the steering gear motor may lead to a loss of the motor position sensor signal, resulting in a sudden loss of power assist while driving.The recall covers approximately 393,623 vehicles built from September 2010 through February 2012:2011-12 Fusion built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-12 Lincoln MKZ built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011 Milan built SEP 2010 - DEC 2010; 2011-13 Taurus built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; 2011-13 Flex with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012; and 2011-13 MKS, MKT with 3.5L GTDI engine built SEP 2010 - FEB 2012.The repair consists of updating the PSCM software to prevent a loss of steering assist while driving. The revised software will provide audible and visual warnings to the driver. If one or more of the following DTCs are stored, C1B00-62, C200B-2F, C200B-61, C200B-62, C200C-2F, C200D-49, U0300-00, U2011-49, U2011-61, U3000-46, U3000-49, U3000-61, U3000-72, U3000-96, P07AE-09, the dealer will replace the EPAS system at no charge to the owner.ODI's analysis of failure data for this PE identified a total of 2,584 complaints to ODI and Ford and 9,967 Ford warranty claims related to the alleged defect.The recalled vehicles account for 1,634 of the complaints and 7,311 of the warranty claims.ODI's analysis identified 40 complaints alleging crashes that may be related to loss of steering assist while driving, 20 of which involved vehicles included in Ford's recall.The information available for the alleged crashes were not sufficient to assess specific causes of the incidents or to verify EPAS malfunctions in each case.Most of the crashes were low-speed impacts with curbs or roadside objects resulting in wheel or minor body damage.None of the injury claims indicated medical attention was required.In addition, statistical modeling of the failure data by NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis projected 10-year failur
EA12009 · Floor Mat Interference With Accelerator
Opened Dec 12, 2012 · Closed Jun 12, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Vehicle Speed Control
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
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