NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Tires complaints
23 reportsClear category filter6,221 miles · Jan 10, 2009
Tires
FOUND TIRE FLAT ON JAN 5, 2009. CALLED AAA WHO PUT ON SPARE. THEN DROVE TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND TIRE VALVE CRACKED. WE PURCHASED NEW TIRE. ANOTHER VALVE WAS CRACKED IN JULY OF 2008. CALLED AAA AND DRIVER PUT DUCT TAPE ON TIRE VALVE, PUMPED UP OUR TIRE AND WE WENT TO A TIRE PLACE THAT REPLACED OUR CRACKED VALVE STEM. OLD …
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FOUND TIRE FLAT ON JAN 5, 2009. CALLED AAA WHO PUT ON SPARE. THEN DROVE TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND TIRE VALVE CRACKED. WE PURCHASED NEW TIRE. ANOTHER VALVE WAS CRACKED IN JULY OF 2008. CALLED AAA AND DRIVER PUT DUCT TAPE ON TIRE VALVE, PUMPED UP OUR TIRE AND WE WENT TO A TIRE PLACE THAT REPLACED OUR CRACKED VALVE STEM. OLD PARTS WERE DISPOSED OF BY DEALER AND OTHER TIRE STORE. WE FIND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE/PATTERN NOW AND LOOKED AT OUR VALVE STEMS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY DILL. WE FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254488
18,400 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS DILL-ACP TR-413 TIRE VALVES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED BULGES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND A FRACTURED VALVE STEM. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS DILL-ACP TR-413 TIRE VALVES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN RIDING ROUGHLY. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED BULGES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND A FRACTURED VALVE STEM. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS MANUFACTURED DEFECTIVELY. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT TIRE MILEAGES WERE 18,000. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE WENT FLAT. UPDATED 01/21/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10251820
26,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
EquipmentTires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL TR414 VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE STEM UNDER RECALL FOR FREE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL TR414 VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE STEM UNDER RECALL FOR FREE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CHANGED THE TIRE AND ALSO REPLACED THE VALVE STEM, WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE LOSING AIR. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS AFFECTED BY THE VALVE STEM, WHICH PERTAINED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08T018000 (TIRES:VALVE). FORD REFUSED TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BROUGHT TO THEM FIRST FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 27,000. UPDATED 12/1/08 *CN UPDATED 12/05/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10248311
14,800 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Tires
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PICK UP DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. TIRE BLEW AND IS UNUSABLE. I CHECKED THE TIRE ITSELF AND COULD NOT VISUALLY FIND AND NAIL OR OTHER CAUSE OF PUNCTURE. CHECKED STEM AND FOUND OBVIOUS CRACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246621
14,556 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Tires
I HAD A TIRE VALVE FAIL. THE REPAIR SHOP PULLED THE TIRE APART AND THE TIRE WAS PERFECT. THEY SAID THAT THE VALVE PROBABLY WAS DEFECTIVE. 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS W MICHELIN TIRES ( MILEAGE ABOUT 14,000 MILES). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246431
5,945 miles · Oct 8, 2008
Tires
IN APRIL, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE ON MY MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS WENT SUDDENLY FLAT AT HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE. THE PROBLEM WAS A SEPARATION OF THE VALVE STEM. DEALER REPLACED VALVE STEM AND TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. IN OCTOBER, MY RIGHT FRONT TIME WENT SUDDENLY FLAT, AGAIN AT HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE. PROBLEM WAS AGAIN SEPARATION OF…
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IN APRIL, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE ON MY MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS WENT SUDDENLY FLAT AT HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE. THE PROBLEM WAS A SEPARATION OF THE VALVE STEM. DEALER REPLACED VALVE STEM AND TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. IN OCTOBER, MY RIGHT FRONT TIME WENT SUDDENLY FLAT, AGAIN AT HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE. PROBLEM WAS AGAIN SEPARATION OF THE VALVE STEM. MY SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED THAT BOTH REAR VALVE STEMS WERE CRACKED AND ABOUT TO SEPARATE AS WELL. DEALER REPLACED 3 VALVE STEMS AND TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THE FAILURES CAN BE TRACED TO TECH INTERNATIONAL MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS, WHICH I UNDERSTAND WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES. I WOULD URGE NHTSA TO ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL ON VEHICLES WITH THOSE VALVE STEMS . MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT SECOND FAILURE WAS 5945. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244697
19,446 miles · Sep 17, 2008
Tires
1. DRIVING 53 MPH ON 3 LANE FREEWAY, CHANGED INTO RIGHT LANE WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC. 2. TIRE BLOW OUT - HEARD LOAD 'POP' FROM BEHIND ME, CHECKED MIRRORS FOR OBJECT IN LANE - COULD NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE. MOVED TO FAR LEFT LANE IN ANTICIPATION OF NEED FOR BREAK-DOWN LANE. TRAVELED APPROX 1/4 MILE, COULD FEEL RIGHT REAL RUB OF TIRE. PU…
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1. DRIVING 53 MPH ON 3 LANE FREEWAY, CHANGED INTO RIGHT LANE WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC. 2. TIRE BLOW OUT - HEARD LOAD 'POP' FROM BEHIND ME, CHECKED MIRRORS FOR OBJECT IN LANE - COULD NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE. MOVED TO FAR LEFT LANE IN ANTICIPATION OF NEED FOR BREAK-DOWN LANE. TRAVELED APPROX 1/4 MILE, COULD FEEL RIGHT REAL RUB OF TIRE. PULLED OF ROAD. 3. CONTACTED AAA, VAN SENT, TIRE CHANGED TO DONUT. NO VISIBLE SHREDDING. AAA DRIVERS STATED IT APPEARED TO BE SIDE WALL FAILURE. WE REPLACED BOTH REAR TIRES AND ARE MAINTAINING THIS 'BLOWN OUT' TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242561
9,040 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Tires
I HAVE A 2007 VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER 2006. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN JUST OVER 9,000 MILES AND, WITHOUT WARNING, A TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND THE TIRE LOST ALL AIR PRESSURE . MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE VALVE. THE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE, A FRIEND POINTED OUT A MAGAZINE ARTICLE REGARDING DEFECTIVE TI…
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I HAVE A 2007 VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER 2006. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN JUST OVER 9,000 MILES AND, WITHOUT WARNING, A TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND THE TIRE LOST ALL AIR PRESSURE . MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE VALVE. THE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE, A FRIEND POINTED OUT A MAGAZINE ARTICLE REGARDING DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE STEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240701
23,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Tires
DURING THE MONTH OF AUG 08 I HAD 3 FLAT TIRES. IN EACH CASE THE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY AT SPEED. EACH FLAT WAS CAUSED BY A VALVE STEM FAILURE (CRACKED AND LEAKED)THE FIRST FAILURE SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL EVENT, THE SECOND SEEMED QUESTIONABLE , THE THIRD WAS ABSOLUTE CONFIRMATION OF A CLEAR PROBLEM WITH THE VAL…
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DURING THE MONTH OF AUG 08 I HAD 3 FLAT TIRES. IN EACH CASE THE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY AT SPEED. EACH FLAT WAS CAUSED BY A VALVE STEM FAILURE (CRACKED AND LEAKED)THE FIRST FAILURE SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL EVENT, THE SECOND SEEMED QUESTIONABLE , THE THIRD WAS ABSOLUTE CONFIRMATION OF A CLEAR PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE STEMS. THE VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED ON THE 3 TIRES AS WELL AS THE 4TH BEFORE ANOTHER VALVE STEM FAILURE. THE 3 TIRES THAT WENT FLAT SUSTAINED SIDEWALL DAMAGE. THE VALVE STEMS ON THIS VEHICLE WERE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE (OR ANY VEHICLE WITH THESE TYPE OF VALVE STEMS) BY AN INEXPERIENCED OPERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240596
16,500 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE TIRES WERE FLAT ON HER VEHICLE. TWO VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL MICHELIN TIRES. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DUE TO THE FLAT TIRES. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE TIRES WERE FLAT ON HER VEHICLE. TWO VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL MICHELIN TIRES. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DUE TO THE FLAT TIRES. THE SERIAL NUMBER, PURCHASE DATE, PART NUMBER, AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,952 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.
NHTSA ODI #10239139
Official recalls
3Nov 5, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Aug 29, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
Nov 15, 2006
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY RETAINED TO THE VEHICLE, WIND NOISE, SQUEAK/RATTLES AND/OR WATER LEAKS MAY OCCUR. ALSO, LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2PE14021 · Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
Opened Jul 7, 2014 · Closed Nov 21, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System; Steering
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.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 monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.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 monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
Steering
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.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 monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
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
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