NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
96 reports67,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORCEFULLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND TAPPED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE PULLING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORCEFULLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND TAPPED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #10825293
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2016
Steering
UPPER IMMEDIATE SHAFT NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V704000. RECALL 13V385 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS. NOTHING G HAS HAPPENED. DOES THIS NEED TO BE FIXED? RECALL..
NHTSA ODI #10821829
103,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10776664
70,766 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THEN ACCELERATED FORCEFULLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER THE PARKING SPACE BLOCK. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED AS NORMAL.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THEN ACCELERATED FORCEFULLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER THE PARKING SPACE BLOCK. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,766. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10765019
78,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Structure
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2013, OWNING IT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS I NOTICED WHERE SNOW HAD STARTED MELTING I COULD SOMETHING GREY AND REALIZED THAT THE PAINT WAS PEELING AND I COULD SEE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS PRIMER OR SOMETHING I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BOB BOYD IN LANCASTER, OHIO SINCE MY CAR WAS STILL WARRA…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER 2013, OWNING IT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS I NOTICED WHERE SNOW HAD STARTED MELTING I COULD SOMETHING GREY AND REALIZED THAT THE PAINT WAS PEELING AND I COULD SEE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS PRIMER OR SOMETHING I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BOB BOYD IN LANCASTER, OHIO SINCE MY CAR WAS STILL WARRANTY WITH THEM WHICH THAT GOT ME KNOW WHERE. THEN I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701820
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2015
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND AT THE SAME HEIGHT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE I FOUND MYSELF ACCELERATING SINCE THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR WERE BOTH DEPRESSED. THE PEDALS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND I REALLY HAVE TO CONCENTRATE WHEN BRAKING TO AVOID THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR MY CAR JUST…
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THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND AT THE SAME HEIGHT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE I FOUND MYSELF ACCELERATING SINCE THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR WERE BOTH DEPRESSED. THE PEDALS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND I REALLY HAVE TO CONCENTRATE WHEN BRAKING TO AVOID THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR MY CAR JUST KEEPS ON GOING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679532
56,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER BELT WILL NOT RESTRAIN ABRUPT FORWARD MOTION. AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY POLICY. OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE REGARDING FRONT PASSENGER BELTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM INDICATE THAT THIS SI…
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FRONT PASSENGER BELT WILL NOT RESTRAIN ABRUPT FORWARD MOTION. AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY POLICY. OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE REGARDING FRONT PASSENGER BELTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM INDICATE THAT THIS SITUATION WILL BECOME MORE COMMON UNTIL A DEATH OCCURS. THEN FORD WILL ISSUE AN APOLOGY, AFTER IT IS TOO LATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648330
48,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Structure
PAINT CRACKED AND LIFTED FROM 3 SPOTS ON FRONT OF ROOF, FRONT FENDER AND REAR PANEL AREA BELOW ROOF. IN ALL THREE INSTANCES, THE PAINT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY LEAVING AREA EXPOSED TO RUST. PAINT IN QUESTION IS PALM BEACH EDITION BIRCHWOOD SILVER. A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED BODY PAINTERS REPORT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROB…
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PAINT CRACKED AND LIFTED FROM 3 SPOTS ON FRONT OF ROOF, FRONT FENDER AND REAR PANEL AREA BELOW ROOF. IN ALL THREE INSTANCES, THE PAINT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY LEAVING AREA EXPOSED TO RUST. PAINT IN QUESTION IS PALM BEACH EDITION BIRCHWOOD SILVER. A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED BODY PAINTERS REPORT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM PECULIAR TO THIS COLOR. COMPLAINTS TO FORD HAVE BEEN IGNORED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648325
50,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING RUST, CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL FROM THE HOOD AND ROOF AREAS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PEELING PAINT WOULD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND DISTRACT THE DRIVER, WHICH THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A CRASH. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING RUST, CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL FROM THE HOOD AND ROOF AREAS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PEELING PAINT WOULD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND DISTRACT THE DRIVER, WHICH THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE PAINT WAS DELAMINATING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 04/17/14 MA *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566047
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE A LETTER SHE SENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON BEHALF OF A RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS QS/4 DR. LS SDN IN AUGUST 29, 2013. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SHE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE, THE PARTS SHOULD NOT RUST, WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED…
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SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE A LETTER SHE SENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON BEHALF OF A RECALL NOTICE FOR HER 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS QS/4 DR. LS SDN IN AUGUST 29, 2013. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SHE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE, THE PARTS SHOULD NOT RUST, WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 13V385000. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DOWN-SHIFTED AND WOULD BARELY STOP, WHEN THE CONSUMER APPROACHED A FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN.
NHTSA ODI #10565133
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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