AS DRIVING I WENT TO TURN RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED, IT WAS LIKE AN OLD CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. BETWEEN ABRUPTLY FORCING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND TRYING TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I MANAGED TO GO ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO A FARMERS FIELD ( GOOD THING I BOUGHT IT WITH AWD). WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE…
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AS DRIVING I WENT TO TURN RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED, IT WAS LIKE AN OLD CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. BETWEEN ABRUPTLY FORCING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND TRYING TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I MANAGED TO GO ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO A FARMERS FIELD ( GOOD THING I BOUGHT IT WITH AWD). WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WORKED FINE. AFTER READING SIMILAR SCENARIOS ON THE INTERNET. I THEN LATER CONTACTED FORD CARE AND THE WONDERFUL PERSONNEL TRIED TO TELL ME THAT IT IS NOT A CONCERN OF FORD SINCE IT NOT AN ISSUE FOR FORD AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OF STEERING SEEMS TO BE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES A VEHICLE IN MY OPINION. THE WORST PART OF THIS ISSUE IS I DEAL DIRECTLY WITH AN AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER OF STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLIES TO FORD AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS IN INDIANA. BY KNOWING WHAT IS UNDER PLASTIC AND FORD TELLING ME I NEED TO REPLACE IT, I ASK WHAT QUALITY IS IN THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549008
87,500 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,500.
NHTSA ODI #10525076
108,002 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. ONE OF THOUSANDS OF MARINERS AND ESCAPES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. COSTS $1400 TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522990
84,000 miles · May 22, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10513139
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504972
156,000 miles · Mar 23, 2013
Steering
I HAVE FORDS THAT ARE 70 YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING WORKS GREAT NOW I BUY MY WIFE A FORD ITS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING QUITS ALMOST DIES AND THEN WANTS MY PAY CHECKS FOR 7 WEEKS 1400 DOLLARS AND NOW ALL OF THESE PPL ON HERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WON'T STAND BEHIND IT AND AT LEAST MAKE IT A RECALL…
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I HAVE FORDS THAT ARE 70 YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING WORKS GREAT NOW I BUY MY WIFE A FORD ITS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING QUITS ALMOST DIES AND THEN WANTS MY PAY CHECKS FOR 7 WEEKS 1400 DOLLARS AND NOW ALL OF THESE PPL ON HERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WON'T STAND BEHIND IT AND AT LEAST MAKE IT A RECALL OK THEY WANT TO WAIT TILL PPL START DIE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ENGINEERS THEY HAD DESIGN THIS DID NOT KNOW THEIR A** FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504288
99,846 miles · Mar 21, 2013
Power TrainSteering
I OWN A 2008 MERCURY MARINER AND I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED WITH ITS SAFETY. ON 03/15/13 I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I PROCEEDED TO PUT IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD AND BACKED INTO THE DRIVE. I TURNED ALL POWER DOWN THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS IN THE STEERING. I WENT T…
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I OWN A 2008 MERCURY MARINER AND I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED WITH ITS SAFETY. ON 03/15/13 I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. I PROCEEDED TO PUT IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD AND BACKED INTO THE DRIVE. I TURNED ALL POWER DOWN THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS IN THE STEERING. I WENT TO PICK UP MY KIDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO PULSATE AND I COULD HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN. EVERYTIME I CAME TO A STOP IT WOULD DO IT. ON SAT. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SHOP. WE COULDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE OR IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN PLACED AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I SET UP AN APPT WITH THE DEALER FOR TUES. I WAS WORKING ON MON. AND LEFT TO RUN AN ERRAND FOR WORK AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITH OUT WARNING I LOST ALL POWER IN THE DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD GRINDING AND THEN CLUNK. I THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT! I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON MY HAZARDS TO TRY AND GET OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CAUSE I WAS SLOWING DOWN EXTREMELY FAST. I WAS ALMOST IN A 3 CAR ACCIDENT AND LUCKILY EVERYBODY IS OK, BUT IT COULD OF BEEN A LOT WORSE! I WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY CONFIRMED MY FEARS. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO CAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS! WHEN I ASKED AS TO WHY, THE SAID NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE! WOW, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?!? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THESE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED? VERY UNHAPPY BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO COST $5200 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN! HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503955
126,400 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Steering
-THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE OR CHATTER WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND IDLING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VISIBLY OSCILLATE BACK AND FORTH, TO A SMALL AMOUNT. *TR -ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIV…
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-THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE OR CHATTER WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND IDLING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VISIBLY OSCILLATE BACK AND FORTH, TO A SMALL AMOUNT. *TR -ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE; INDEPENDENT OF WHETHER IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY OR IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECENTLY USED. TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE REQUIRED SHIFTING TO PARK, POWERING THE VEHICLE DOWN, AND RESTARTING THE PROCESS. -THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS ISSUE WASN'T SERVICABLE BY THEM AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRIC ACTUATOR "PUMP" MECHANISM. VERY EXPENSIVE!
NHTSA ODI #10501193
133,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Steering
I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE MAKES A CLICKING/TICKING SOUND WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND UPON STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO SERVICE GARAGES (ONE FORD, ONE INDEPENDENT) AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT O…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE MAKES A CLICKING/TICKING SOUND WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. STEERING WHEEL SHUTTERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND UPON STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO SERVICE GARAGES (ONE FORD, ONE INDEPENDENT) AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING UNIT. VEHICLE ALSO HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AT MY RESIDENCE THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING IT TO THE FIRST SERVICE GARAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS THE POWER STEERING WAS OPERABLE AGAIN. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING UNIT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXHIBITED ANY FURTHER SYMPTOMS OR ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500061
82,300 miles · Feb 18, 2013
Steering
MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, SO FAR, IT HAS FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. IT RETURNS WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATES WHEN STOPPED AND THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO A "CLANKING" NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL. THIS IS THE VEHICLE …
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MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, SO FAR, IT HAS FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. IT RETURNS WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATES WHEN STOPPED AND THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO A "CLANKING" NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL. THIS IS THE VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER IS LEARNING TO DRIVE IN, AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HER SAFETY AND HER PASSENGER'S SAFETY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID I MAY NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND HAVE HEARD OF A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008'S. IN FACT, THE DAY IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE THERE WAS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE(BASICALLY THE SAME VEHICLE) THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
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.
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.
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
2
DP15001 · 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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