NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
297 reportsClear category filter97,410 miles · Jun 26, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,410 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,443.
NHTSA ODI #10606134
106,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT 106000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR WAS $900. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592262
159,000 miles · May 8, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE EL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THEN THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 159,000. UPDATED 6/24/14*CN UPDATED 06/26/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10587199
159,000 miles · May 8, 2014
Steering
GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WENT OUT WHICH COULD OF RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT ON A SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITION , CAUSING A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF UNCONTROLLED STEERING OR HARD TO STEER VEHICLE. DOING 55 MPH. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH STEERING IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE MO…
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GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WENT OUT WHICH COULD OF RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT ON A SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITION , CAUSING A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF UNCONTROLLED STEERING OR HARD TO STEER VEHICLE. DOING 55 MPH. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH STEERING IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE MODULE OR WHOLE LOWER STEERING FROM A USED AUTO PARTS BUSINESS THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN NOT KEEP THEM THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEMAND FOR THAT PARTICULAR PART. STILL DRIVING WITH OUT SAFE STEERING, HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE IN THE MATTER UNLESS I PAY OVER 1000.00 TO THE FORD DEALER SHIP TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO THAT ON DISABILITY AND NEED MY CAR TO GET BACK AND FOURTH TO DOCTORS. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING STEERING? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587187
80,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Steering
STEERING WHEEL SHAKING. VIBRATING, AS IF QUICKLY TURNING ON AND OFF BETWEEN SETTINGA. TONIGHT MY POWER SEARING WENT OUT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK.I WORK 60 HRS A WEEK. IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. I CAN'T AFFORD FOR THIS VEHICLE TO GO OUT ON ME. AND NOW IT IS. AND MERCURY WONT HELP ME. THEY WILL PLAY DUMB AND STAND BY WHILE THE WHOLE V…
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STEERING WHEEL SHAKING. VIBRATING, AS IF QUICKLY TURNING ON AND OFF BETWEEN SETTINGA. TONIGHT MY POWER SEARING WENT OUT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK.I WORK 60 HRS A WEEK. IN A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD. I CAN'T AFFORD FOR THIS VEHICLE TO GO OUT ON ME. AND NOW IT IS. AND MERCURY WONT HELP ME. THEY WILL PLAY DUMB AND STAND BY WHILE THE WHOLE VEHICLE FALLS APART AS I WRITE THE LAST CHECK OF THE $24,000 CAR NOTE NEXT MONTH. HOW CONVENIENT. JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585811
110,786 miles · Apr 15, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR KIT WAS FAULTY. THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,786.
NHTSA ODI #10582970
58,654 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Steering
CAME TO A STOP, BEGAN TO TURN LEFT, STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO ONE SIDE THEN POWER STEERING GAVE OUT MID TURN, ON A BUSY STREET, CROSSING OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES AT THIS POINT. FORD DEALER CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, SO I'M ST…
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CAME TO A STOP, BEGAN TO TURN LEFT, STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO ONE SIDE THEN POWER STEERING GAVE OUT MID TURN, ON A BUSY STREET, CROSSING OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES AT THIS POINT. FORD DEALER CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, SO I'M STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. HOW HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN RECALLED!? IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S SMALL ISSUE LIKE RADIO PROBLEMS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! IF YOU PARK THE VEHICLE AND SHUT IT OFF, THEN RESTART IT, THE STERLING WILL THEN WORK AGAIN (UNTIL NEXT TIME IT GIVES OUT) IT'S ALMOST LIKE RESTARTING THE CAR IS REBOOTING THE SYSTEM. EITHER WAY, VERY SCARY WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING AND YOU HAVE NO WARNING THAT YOUR POWER STEERING IS GOING TO FAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578766
107,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A POP/CRACKING NOISE ON START-UP AT FIRST. THE WHEEL WOULD OSCILLATE IN PLACE AND ONLY STOP IF I PUT PRESSURE ON IT TO TURN IT OFF CENTER. THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT ON START-UP. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN UNTIL IT RETURNED. THIS WAS FINE FOR A WEEK OR SO, BUT THEN THE POWER…
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THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A POP/CRACKING NOISE ON START-UP AT FIRST. THE WHEEL WOULD OSCILLATE IN PLACE AND ONLY STOP IF I PUT PRESSURE ON IT TO TURN IT OFF CENTER. THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT ON START-UP. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN UNTIL IT RETURNED. THIS WAS FINE FOR A WEEK OR SO, BUT THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILS, THE CAR IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575630
77,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
I HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN AND WAS PROCEEDING DOWN THE BLOCK WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN "CLICK" AND LOST POWER. I COULDN'T STEER AND THERE WAS NO POWER. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE CURB AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I RESTARTED IT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND IT STARTED UP OK. HOWEVER, THE RSC WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN THOUGH…
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I HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN AND WAS PROCEEDING DOWN THE BLOCK WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN "CLICK" AND LOST POWER. I COULDN'T STEER AND THERE WAS NO POWER. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE CURB AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I RESTARTED IT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND IT STARTED UP OK. HOWEVER, THE RSC WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN THOUGH I HAD NEVER PRESSED THAT BUTTON. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS TOLD IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY. THAT WAS LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND I CAN'T IMAGINE I NEED A NEW BATTERY THAT OFTEN - THAT SIMPLY NEEDING A NEW BATTERY WILL CAUSE MY CAR TO FAIL! IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I'VE COME ACROSS SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE SAME ISSUE NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY MODULE WITH TROUBLE CODES P2111 AND P2112 AND, IN FACT,THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) HAS OFFICIALLY PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) FOR A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED THROTTLE BODY FAILURES IN 2005-2012 FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES SHARING THE SAME OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR PART. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY ON SURFACE STREETS AND NOT THE FREEWAY. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY! IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575567
137,500 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TURNS OFF. WHEN THE STEERING TURNS OFF IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY. IT DOES NOT REACT LIKE A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE POWER STEERING, IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE STEERING THE WHEELS THROUGH CEMENT. YOU NEED TO PUT ALL OF Y…
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WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TURNS OFF. WHEN THE STEERING TURNS OFF IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY. IT DOES NOT REACT LIKE A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE POWER STEERING, IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE STEERING THE WHEELS THROUGH CEMENT. YOU NEED TO PUT ALL OF YOUR FORCE AND ENERGY INTO TURNING THE WHEEL EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT AND WHEN THE CAR HITS A BUMP THE CAR WANTS TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TURN THE WHEEL IF THIS HAPPENS TO HER. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS ISN'T A SAFETY HAZARD AND HASN'T BEEN RECALLED SOONER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE THE REPAIR FOR THIS IS ALMOST $2,000 DOLLARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574966
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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