NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
66 reportsClear category filter110,846 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Power Train
MY 2008 MARINER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN COLD (WINTER) OR TOO HOT. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE IDLE WHEN STOPPED. WHEN VEHICLE TRIES TO SHIFT UP, IT WILL ONLY SHIFT IF I LET OFF THE GAS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO USE PASSING GEAR TO PASS OTH…
Read full complaint
MY 2008 MARINER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN COLD (WINTER) OR TOO HOT. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE IDLE WHEN STOPPED. WHEN VEHICLE TRIES TO SHIFT UP, IT WILL ONLY SHIFT IF I LET OFF THE GAS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO USE PASSING GEAR TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS LED TO SOME CLOSE CALLS/NEAR MISSES WHEN TRYING TO OVER-TAKE VEHICLES. FORD SAYS THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL BUT HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. FORD SAYS THEY CAN FIX IT WITH MY MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463022
62,000 miles · Mar 23, 2012
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING SO I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL. FLUID WAS LOW SO MORE FLUID WAS ADDED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE FLUID WAS LOW AGAIN. AFTER CHECKING I NOTICED THE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE LINES WHERE THE LINES RUN INTO THE FLUID COOLER. CONTACTED DEALER AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452808
41,214 miles · Mar 4, 2012
Power Train
IN FEBRUARY OF 2009 (AT 41,214 MILES), MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER STARTED JERKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I GASED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY PERFORMED A "TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL". THREE YEARS LATER, FEBRUARY 2012, MY…
Read full complaint
IN FEBRUARY OF 2009 (AT 41,214 MILES), MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER STARTED JERKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I GASED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY PERFORMED A "TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL". THREE YEARS LATER, FEBRUARY 2012, MY CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK, IT WAS NOTED "TRANSMISSION/CONVERTER SLIPS AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED". I WAS RELUCTANTLY TOLD BY A SUPERVISOR AT FORD HEADQUARTERS THAT SOME 2008 MARINERS DID INDEED HAVE TRANSMISSIONS DEFECTS BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT KNOWN TO BE AFFECTED AND BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT ADDRESSED IT WITHOUT ME PAYING $4062. I HAVE CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS AND THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY DETAILS ON THE ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE MARINERS THAT WERE RECALLED. A CAR THAT HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES TWICE WITHIN FOUR YEARS SOUND LIKE THERE IS INDEED A MAJOR DEFECT ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION PARTS BUT FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ADMIT IT. I AM SURE MY CAR (VIN) SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY AND I. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND FORD WAS WELL AWARE OF IT BUT REFUSE TO CORRECT THE MATTER. FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE THAT THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF INSTEAD OF MAKING THERE CUSTOMERS BELIEVE THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A CAR TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE NOT ONLY ONCE BUT TWICE WITHIN FOUR YEARS. I WILL PURSUE THIS MATTER UNTIL I AM SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS. UPDATED IVOQ 03/28/12 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450236
39,400 miles · Feb 2, 2012
Power Train
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE A/C CONDENSER WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. I CONTACTED A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT MY LOCAL LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON WHO STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A MULTITUDE OF…
Read full complaint
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE A/C CONDENSER WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. I CONTACTED A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT MY LOCAL LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON WHO STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL NOTICE EXISTED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT FOR SOME REASON FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY HAD MADE SOME CHANGE TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE A/C CONDENSER AND THAT THIS CHANGE HAS CAUSED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY CARS WITH SO FEW MILES. I AM QUITE SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY SINGLE MOTHER FACING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FACED WITH THIS SITUATION. YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10446326
43,000 miles · Nov 1, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE CONDENSER TRANSMISSION COOLER/COMBO. LEAKS AT TOP CORNER AT PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE WELD OF THE BRACKET. LEAKAGE COULD LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM ON 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, BUT THE 2008 MARINER IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AS WE…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE CONDENSER TRANSMISSION COOLER/COMBO. LEAKS AT TOP CORNER AT PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE WELD OF THE BRACKET. LEAKAGE COULD LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM ON 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, BUT THE 2008 MARINER IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433890
40,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V453000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V453000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10413944
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2011
Power Train
2008 MERCURY MARINER - TRANSMISSION COOLER SEVERE LEAK AT 31,000 MILES. OUT OF 36 MONTH WARRANTY. REPAIR COST AT FORD/MERCURY DEALER $850. WAS TOLD THAT IF NOT REPAIRED, THE COOLER COULD BURST AND DUMP ALL FLUID RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404258
44,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING FLUID CAUSING GEAR SLIPPAGE DURING ACCELERATION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE GAS PEDAL PUSHED IT WOULD REV UP THEN SLAM INTO GEAR OR NOT EVEN GO INTO GEAR AT ALL AND STALL. INITIAL RESEARCH INDICATED A COMMON FACTORY DEFECT FOR MERCURY MARINERS AND FORD ESCAPES. LEAKING BEGAN AT 43000 MILE…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING FLUID CAUSING GEAR SLIPPAGE DURING ACCELERATION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE GAS PEDAL PUSHED IT WOULD REV UP THEN SLAM INTO GEAR OR NOT EVEN GO INTO GEAR AT ALL AND STALL. INITIAL RESEARCH INDICATED A COMMON FACTORY DEFECT FOR MERCURY MARINERS AND FORD ESCAPES. LEAKING BEGAN AT 43000 MILES, WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36000 MILES. ADVISED BY DEALER REPAIR COST WOULD BE $975.00. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD SORRY IT COSTS SO MUCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402549
36,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION DURING THE WINTER OF 2010 AND CONTINUING. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FURTHERMORE, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP …
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION DURING THE WINTER OF 2010 AND CONTINUING. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FURTHERMORE, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP THEN SHIFT IN ANOTHER GEAR THEN WHEN TAKING OFF THE VEHICLE SLAMS INTO GEAR. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF COMPLETELY WHEN IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE REVVING AND ENGINE CUTTING OFF IS GETTING WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR WARM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316798
59,725 miles · Jan 14, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER MY 5YR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY "TRANSMI…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER MY 5YR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY "TRANSMISSION" COOLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IT IS CONSIDERED AN "AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM" SINCE MY COMPRESSOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH IT, EVEN THOUGH MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKS FINE. I KNOW THAT A RECALL WAS MADE ON THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PART IN MARCH 2008, BUT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH RECALLED CARS DESPITE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY FORD HAS CHANGED THE PART NUMBER ON THE TRANS COOLER AND ORDERS IT FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY, SO THE PART WOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER THE WARRANTY. COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHY MY MARINER WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL? NOBODY AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OR THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CAN EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL OR WHY THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. I AM SHUFFLED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THESE DEPARTMENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299725
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
May 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
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
2DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
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
Illustration