NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
297 reportsClear category filter138,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10923997
117,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Steering
DROVE TO WORK ABOUT 15 MILES AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. THEN STARTED VEHICLE TO MOVE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SPOT AND STEERING WAS TIGHT AND ON DASH IT SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. WAS UNABLE TO STEER CAR. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE BECAUSE I WANTED TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN FIXED WITH CAMPAIGN14V284000 AND WAS TOLD CAMPAIGN…
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DROVE TO WORK ABOUT 15 MILES AND SHUT VEHICLE OFF. THEN STARTED VEHICLE TO MOVE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SPOT AND STEERING WAS TIGHT AND ON DASH IT SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT. WAS UNABLE TO STEER CAR. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE BECAUSE I WANTED TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN FIXED WITH CAMPAIGN14V284000 AND WAS TOLD CAMPAIGN WAS CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #10923960
66,500 miles · Oct 25, 2016
Steering
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND ON THE DASH IT SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TORQUE SENSOR WENT OUT AND THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TORQUE SENSOR IN 2014, RECALL 14S05, AND THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO DO A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTEAD OF …
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MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND ON THE DASH IT SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TORQUE SENSOR WENT OUT AND THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TORQUE SENSOR IN 2014, RECALL 14S05, AND THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO DO A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN I CALLED FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE ABOUT THIS THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT DECIDED TO PAY FOR THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE SOLUTION TO THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE TORQUE SENSOR STILL FAILED AND FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I KNOW THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY FORD WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND REIMBURSE EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10918745
120,000 miles · Oct 20, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10917528
149,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
EngineSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON HER WAY HOME, AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE STEERING FELT WEIRD, AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES (DUE TO ENGINE SHUTTING OFF) AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #10914078
100,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING FAULT" WARNING MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING FAULT" WARNING MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10913907
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2016
Steering
IT STARTED OFF WHEN YOU GET ON THE FREEWAY YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHT BECAUSE IT JUMPS IN THE NEXT LANE. AND IT'S HARD TO STEER ESPECIALLY TRYING TO TURN AND GUIDE IT GOING STRAIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10910064
55,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND HOUSING WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND HOUSING WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN AUGUST OF 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10883005
59,234 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
SAFETY RECALL 14S05 -AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL FORD UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE IN MY CAR IN DEC. 2015, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER THE STEERING FAILED. (THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A QUIET SAN FRANCISCO STREET WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AND REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK.) I FIRST TOWED THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO LOOKED AT IT FOR…
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SAFETY RECALL 14S05 -AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL FORD UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE IN MY CAR IN DEC. 2015, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER THE STEERING FAILED. (THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A QUIET SAN FRANCISCO STREET WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AND REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK.) I FIRST TOWED THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO LOOKED AT IT FOR A WEEK AND THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL; HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO FORD. WHEN I RE-TOWED THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR WRITTEN COMMITMENT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND INSTEAD TRIED TO ARGUE THAT BECAUSE I GOT A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WAS OVER. WHEN I ASKED IF THE SYMPTOMS IN MY CAR MATCHED THOSE THE RECALL WAS MEANT TO FIX, THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THE SYMPTOMS MATCHED. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING B/C A "CODE" DIDN'T TRIP. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RECALL SAYS THAT SOFTWARE UPGRADES "MAY" FIX THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY THE DRIVER BY BEEPING. MY CAR NEVER BEEPED, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT "MAY" FIX THE PROBLEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR SAFETY! THE STEERING ISSUE SHOULD BE FIXED/REPLACED BY FORD! FORD IS NEGLIGENTLY PUTTING CUSTOMER LIVES IN DANGER. MOREOVER, FORD SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PUSH THE COST OF A MALFUNCTIONING, CORE PRODUCT FEATURE ONTO CUSTOMERS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, AT THE TOP OF THE MARKET PRICE FOR IT, I WAS NOT TOLD "IN 50,000 MILES YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A COMPLETELY NEW STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THIS ONE WILL FAIL AND PEOPLE IN YOUR CAR MAY DIE." PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW FORD IS TRYING TO PUSH RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECALL 14S05 ONTO INDIVIDUAL CAR OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #10874929
120,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE U…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10850692
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
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