NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
11 reportsClear category filter152,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WENT INTO OTHER GEARS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE ON ITS OWN. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT'S SON STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE DRAGGING AFTER IT JUMPED. IN ADDIT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WENT INTO OTHER GEARS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE ON ITS OWN. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT'S SON STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE DRAGGING AFTER IT JUMPED. IN ADDITION, "OVERDRIVE" APPEARED ON THE CONTROL PANEL THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #11210806
124,746 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Power Train
I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE LOST 2ND GEAR AND 4TH GEAR IS ON ITS WAY OUT ON MY CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT AT LEAST SINCE 2012, ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE FORD MOTOR COMPANY PUBLICATION, MAYBE EVEN EARLIER. THE PUBLICATION STATES THAT IT AFFECTS 2007-2008 FORD ESCAPES AND MERCURY MARINERS. WHAT I …
Read full complaint
I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE LOST 2ND GEAR AND 4TH GEAR IS ON ITS WAY OUT ON MY CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT AT LEAST SINCE 2012, ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE FORD MOTOR COMPANY PUBLICATION, MAYBE EVEN EARLIER. THE PUBLICATION STATES THAT IT AFFECTS 2007-2008 FORD ESCAPES AND MERCURY MARINERS. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS, IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AGO, WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL AND IF NOT A RECALL, SOME KIND OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIRS? I'VE SHOPPED AROUND FOR PRICES AND THE BEST I COULD FIND WAS $2200.00 FOR THE REPAIR PLUS ANOTHER $225.00 FOR A RENTAL TO USE WHILE MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED. THE REPAIR IS GOING TO TAKE 3-5 DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #10956248
111,225 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING PERFECTLY NORMAL ALL DAY. IN THE EVENING, WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVILY-TRAFFICKED AREA, UNEXPECTEDLY OUR MARINER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR - THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE CAR WOULD JUST BARELY MOVE. IT FINALLY SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR, BUT NEVER WOULD GO INTO 4TH. ALL THE WHILE, THE O/D LIGHT ON THE IN…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING PERFECTLY NORMAL ALL DAY. IN THE EVENING, WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVILY-TRAFFICKED AREA, UNEXPECTEDLY OUR MARINER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR - THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE CAR WOULD JUST BARELY MOVE. IT FINALLY SHIFTED INTO 3RD GEAR, BUT NEVER WOULD GO INTO 4TH. ALL THE WHILE, THE O/D LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS GOING ON AND OFF. THIS PATTERN CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE WE HAD OUR MARINER INSPECTED AT NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS; THE END RESULT WAS THAT WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A COST OF $1700. AT ONLY 111,000 MILES! ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS THAT WE TALKED WITH STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS YEAR-MODEL FORD PRODUCT, MANY TIMES WAS FAR LESS MILEAGE THAN OURS HAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650583
87,765 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Power Train
MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY 2007 MERCURY MARINER, WHEN IT STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND SHAKING LIKE CRAZY, HE WAS BARELY ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING TO GET HOME. WHEN MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND SAW WHAT IT WAS DOING, HE THINKS THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT ON IT. WE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE TO CHURCH SUNDAY MO…
Read full complaint
MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING MY 2007 MERCURY MARINER, WHEN IT STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND SHAKING LIKE CRAZY, HE WAS BARELY ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE RUNNING TO GET HOME. WHEN MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND SAW WHAT IT WAS DOING, HE THINKS THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT ON IT. WE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE TO CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING (SAME DAY) AND THERE WAS NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF ANY KIND OF PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, AND IT HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM EXCEPT FOR THE SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO...MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOMETHING SWEET SPILLED INSIDE OF THE SHIFTER, HOWEVER, I DRIVE THE VEHICLE 99.9% OF THE TIME AND I DRINK WATER...... AFTER RESEARCHING AND READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE ON THIS WEBSITE, I DO REALIZE THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURED DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SHIFTER. HOW AND WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES? WHY DIDN'T SOME OF THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON? WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE NOW AND CAUSED US TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10579500
80,000 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Power Train
COMING OFF A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND, COULD FEEL IT FINALLY JUMP INTO 3. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO 2 AND 4TH GEARS. UPON LOOKING ONLINE, TRANSMISSIONS AND POWERTRAINS ARE KNOWN DEFECTS WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR. JUST HAD TO SPEND $2000.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS …
Read full complaint
COMING OFF A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND, COULD FEEL IT FINALLY JUMP INTO 3. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO 2 AND 4TH GEARS. UPON LOOKING ONLINE, TRANSMISSIONS AND POWERTRAINS ARE KNOWN DEFECTS WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR. JUST HAD TO SPEND $2000.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS FORD IGNORED PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543821
80,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD ENGAGED IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY BUT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT FELT AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD ENGAGED IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523965
57,000 miles · May 7, 2013
EnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD RATTLE NOISE, OD LIGHT FLASHED (OD OFF) AND PULLED OVER. I ATTEMPTED TO PULL BACK ON ROAD AND CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 1800.00 REPAIR. NOW 2013 EXACTLY 3 YEARS LATER AND CAR BEGINS SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. DIAGNOSTIC TEST STATES NEEDS NEW T…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD RATTLE NOISE, OD LIGHT FLASHED (OD OFF) AND PULLED OVER. I ATTEMPTED TO PULL BACK ON ROAD AND CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. 1800.00 REPAIR. NOW 2013 EXACTLY 3 YEARS LATER AND CAR BEGINS SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. DIAGNOSTIC TEST STATES NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. TOLD THESE CARS HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS FROM THE GET GO. FORD KNOWS THIS! THE PROBLEM IS COOLANT IS LOCATED IN RADIATOR AND DOES NOT KEEP TRANS FROM OVERHEATING. I AM NOW TOLD IT WILL BE 3650.00 FOR ANOTHER TRANS. THIS IS A TOTAL MESS. IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER WHO STILL OWES 16,000.00 ON THIS CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH THE HOPES OF REPAIRING MY DAMAGED CREDIT AND MADE ALL ROUTINE SERVICE AND FLUSHES AS SCHEDULED ON TIME. NOW WHAT TO DO? I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER TRANSMISSION, AND AM WITHOUT A CAR AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A CAR PAYMENT OR MY CREDIT THAT I HAVE FINALLY GOT BACK ON TRACK IS RUINED ONCE AGAIN! CAN ANYONE OFFER ME ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO? HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511020
47,000 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM BUT THE LIGHT DID NOT DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT IN A TIME…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM BUT THE LIGHT DID NOT DEACTIVATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE POWER TRAIN SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #10509867
100,757 miles · Apr 25, 2012
Power Train
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE; NEEDS REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. HAD DONE ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICES WHEN DUE INCLUDING TRANSMISSION FLUSHES. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT THIS MILEAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT CAR WAS SERVICED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER CARS WITH SUBSTAN…
Read full complaint
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE; NEEDS REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. HAD DONE ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED SERVICES WHEN DUE INCLUDING TRANSMISSION FLUSHES. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT THIS MILEAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT CAR WAS SERVICED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER CARS WITH SUBSTANTIALLY MORE MILEAGE AND NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456424
84,735 miles · Jan 12, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. I KEPT UP MY NORMAL MAINTANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THINGS WHEN NEEDED. AT APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO WALLACE DEALERSHIP OF WHICH THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. THEY EXPLAINED THEY DID AN OVER…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. I KEPT UP MY NORMAL MAINTANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THINGS WHEN NEEDED. AT APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO WALLACE DEALERSHIP OF WHICH THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. THEY EXPLAINED THEY DID AN OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION AND FIXED REPAIRS ON IT SO THAT THEIR WOULD BE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD. NOW AT 84,735 MILES LATER, I AM ONCE AGAIN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND MY VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY MY VEHICLE WILL SIT UNTIL I CAN MAKE THE REPAIRS AS A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IS NOT A CHEAP EXPENSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH IN THIS CAR AND DESERVES EXTREME PRIORITY OF INVESTIGATION ON A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF VEHILE. I AM RECEIVING NO HELP FROM THE FORD COMPANY AND I AM FINDING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT THAT THIS PROBLEM IN THIS VEHILCE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED OR DEALT WITH. I HAVE HAD A PRIVATE TRANSMISSION COMPANY EXAMINE MY VEHILCE (HAS NOT TOUCHED IT), OF WHICH THEY DISCOVERED, THE INTERNAL FILTER IS CLOGGING THE CVT (CONSTANT VELOCITY TRANSMISSION) FOR WHICH SOMETHING WILL CONTINIOUSLY BREAK IN THE FILTER OR WHERE THE FILTER IS HELD CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE MAINTANCE WISE OR PERSONAL USE OF DRIVING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443529
Official recalls
2Sep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
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
1PE08060 · 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