← New search

2003 Mazda Tribute

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mazda Tribute do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 143.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

150 reports with mileage · 49 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports9 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

199 reports
98,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
Electrical SystemSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE AIR B…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECIEVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE), WHICH STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD DETACH AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10811701

50,000 miles · Oct 13, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SEAT BELT CONNECTION WAS R…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SEAT BELT CONNECTION WAS REPAIRED TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10781578

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2015
Air Bags

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE WAS ON THE RECALL LIST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10761577

91,800 miles · Aug 24, 2015
StructureCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME FRAC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,800. MA 10/25/15 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10758764

135,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE FRAME OF MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE RUSTED AND BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE LASTED SEVERAL MORE YEARS AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING FASTER, I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10734348

202,654 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Air BagsService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,654.

NHTSA ODI #10723968

112,000 miles · May 27, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10721674

112,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Suspension

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH A RECALL THAT MAZDA REFUSED TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR CORROSION TO THE SUB-FRAME RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. INSTEAD OF REPLACING RECALLED SUB-FRAME THEY PUT AN INEXPENSIVE BRACE UNDERNEATH THE CORRODED PART FOR THE RECALL. MAZDA SAID IF T…

Read full complaint

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH A RECALL THAT MAZDA REFUSED TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR CORROSION TO THE SUB-FRAME RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. INSTEAD OF REPLACING RECALLED SUB-FRAME THEY PUT AN INEXPENSIVE BRACE UNDERNEATH THE CORRODED PART FOR THE RECALL. MAZDA SAID IF THE CORRODED PART HASN'T ACTUALLY SNAPPED IN HALF THEN THEY PUT A CHEAP BRACE UNDERNEATH IT. NOW 8 MONTHS LATER THE CORRODED PART SNAPPED IN HALF AND MAZDA SAYS THEY ARE OFF THE HOOK SINCE THEY PUT A CHEAP BRACE UNDER THE CORRODED SUB-FRAME. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN NOW THE WHEELS WILL FALL OFF. HOW CAN THEY JUSTIFY FIXING A RECALL BY INSTALLING A MEANINGLESS SO CALLED BRACE UNDER THE CORRODED PART WHEN IT DOES NOTHING. ONCE THE SUB-FRAME BRAKES THE LOWER CONTROL ARM STILL SEPARATES AND YOU STILL ARE IN RISK OF A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #10716570

58,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL AND SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL AND SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690857

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2015
Air Bags

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT. *MW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE CONNECTORS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT GO OUT. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE CONNE…

Read full complaint

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OUT. *MW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE CONNECTORS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT GO OUT. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE CONNECTORS UNDER THE DRIVER' SEAT WERE BAD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10660632

Official recalls

6

14V174000 · Structure:frame And Members

Apr 4, 2014

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 27, 2012

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

07V157000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V605000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 23, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V583000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 10, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

04V175000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Apr 9, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

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

6

DP12005 · Cruise Control Cable

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Jul 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages; Vehicle Speed Control:springs

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Vehicle Speed Control

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Vehicle Speed Control:springs

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

PE12019 · Stuck Throttle

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Vehicle Speed Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Vehicle Speed Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

EA10002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 14, 2010 · Closed Feb 29, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

RQ09002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 15, 2009 · Closed Jan 15, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PRESCRIBES AN INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, WHICH SHALL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY IF NECESSARY.IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PASSES THE VISUAL INSPECTION THEN THE RECALL INSTRUCTS THE TECHNICIAN TO APPLY ELECTRICAL GREASE (FORD PART NUMBER XG-12) TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND VERIFY SYSTEM OPERATION.TO DATE, APPROXIMATELY 388,500 SUBJECT VEHICLES (71.7% OF THE TOTAL RECALL POPULATION) HAVE BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH (373,985) PASSED THE VISUAL INSPECTION AND RECEIVED ONLY THE ELECTRICAL GREASE APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF AT LEAST 86 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCED NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER HAS PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION THAT INDICATES CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE IMPROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACTORY WIRE TIE-WRAP NOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH INDICATES A PROPER INSPECTION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED) AND BY INCORRECT GREASE BEING APPLIED, INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GREASE, AND EVEN INSTANCES WHERE NO GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR.ALSO, THERE REMAIN SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF THE REPORTED FIRE INCIDENTS.THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT MOST REPORTED FIRES WERE ACTUALLY NON-FIRE THERMAL EVENTS WITH DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AND THAT MOST VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.HOWEVER, THE TREND APPEARS TO BE ONGOING WITH 5 REPORTED INCIDENTS HAVING OCCURRED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

DP09003 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 14, 2009 · Closed Apr 15, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE PETITIONER'S VEHICLE HAD IN FACT RECEIVED SERVICE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 07V156 - A FACT LATER CORROBORATED BY THE PETITIONER.CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE EXPERIENCED IN THE PETITIONER'S REMEDIED VEHICLE INDICATE THAT THE REMEDY WAS INEFFECTIVE.ADDITIONAL REVIEW BY ODI IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL 6 SIMILAR (ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ) NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS IN SUBJECT VEHICLES KNOWN TO HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.ACCORDINGLY, A RECALL QUERY (RQ09-002) HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

PE06048 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 30, 2006 · Closed Apr 17, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.