NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
297 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V248000 (STEERING) BY THE PREVIOUS OWN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V248000 (STEERING) BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10822839
105,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Steering
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN SEPTEMBER 2015. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL WHICH STATES: 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 S…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN SEPTEMBER 2015. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL WHICH STATES: 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. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY. I WAS CHARGED FULL PRICE FOR REPLACE THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SET UP A CASE # WHICH IS CAS86223147. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE PRIOR OWNER BROUGHT THE CAR IN WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. THEY HAD THE SOFTWARE UPDATED BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE TORQUE SENSOR. AS A NEW OWNER AND WITH THE RECALL STILL IN EFFECT, I FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD BE HONORED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE SENSOR.
NHTSA ODI #10822174
130,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR A STEERING RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10822159
55,000 miles · Jan 22, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10821670
93,000 miles · Jan 22, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS ONLY UPDATED FOR THE PSCM (POWER STEERING CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS ONLY UPDATED FOR THE PSCM (POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE) AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN AND TORQUE SENSOR WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10821667
83,000 miles · Jan 20, 2016
Steering
SAFETY RECALL 14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284 WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2014. THE SERVICE PERFORMED WAS A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION THAT WAS DESCRIBED AS BEING ABLE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE WITHOUT WARNING AND AS A RESULT OF A TORQUE SENOR DEFECT. IN JANUARY 2016 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST…
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SAFETY RECALL 14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284 WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2014. THE SERVICE PERFORMED WAS A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION THAT WAS DESCRIBED AS BEING ABLE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE WITHOUT WARNING AND AS A RESULT OF A TORQUE SENOR DEFECT. IN JANUARY 2016 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AND MOVED INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. THIS WAS IN A LOW TRAFFIC URBAN AREA AT LOW SPEED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN MANUAL STEERING MODE AND THERE IS A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING DISPLAY ON THE DASH. THE FORD RECALL LETTER INDICATES THE DEALER REPAIR WOULD REMOVE THIS POSSIBILITY WHERE THE VEHICLE COULD REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING MODE DUE TO A DETECTED FAULT. THE LETTER ALSO INDICATES A CHIME AND WRENCH LIGHT WOULD ENSUE IF A DEFECT/FAULT WERE DETECTED TO "INCREASE DRIVER AWARENESS". IT IS NOT OUR EXPERIENCE THAT WE HAD THIS WARNING PROVIDED. THERE IS NO WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PREVENTED FROM MOVING INTO MANUAL STEERING MODE. IN SHORT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE SERVICE PROCEDURE IN THIS RECALL WHERE ONLY SOFTWARE CODE WAS MODIFIED WAS SUFFICIENT TO REMOVE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF ANY DEFECTS THAT MAY BY INHERENT IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SOFTWARE REVISION WAS CONDUCTED AND WAS TOLD THAT WITHOUT A "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" INDICATION, THEY WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO READ AND DETERMINE THE FAULT. I INDICATED THE NATURE OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE TO SEE IF A FURTHER NEEDED REPAIR OF THE TORQUE SENSOR WOULD BE ALLOWED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. I WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE INITIAL REPAIR WAS SUFFICIENT.
NHTSA ODI #10821243
65,000 miles · Jan 15, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10820423
92,720 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE, AND ABS SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY. THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE, AND ABS SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY. THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED IN 2014 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,720.
NHTSA ODI #10820181
157,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A 90 DEGREE TURN AT AN INTERSECTION MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI #10819677
110,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE CODE WAS NOT PROGRAMMED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10819519
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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