NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
461 reports154,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
NHTSA ODI #10622015
46,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Power Train
MY 08' MERCURY MARINER HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARDS. IT WORKED IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR IN ORDER TO TURN IT AROUND AND DRIVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISS…
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MY 08' MERCURY MARINER HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARDS. IT WORKED IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR IN ORDER TO TURN IT AROUND AND DRIVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD COST AROUND $3600 FOR MY CAR INCLUDING THE PART AND LABOR. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH MY CAR INVOLVING THE TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT A CAR WITH SUCH FEW MILES ON IT SHOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH ANY OF THESE COSTS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ON MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AFTER SOME RESEARCH AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC SHOP THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621162
70,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10616132
70,400 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN RAINING, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WOULD GET WET AND CAUSED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN RAINING, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WOULD GET WET AND CAUSED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,400. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10610770
50,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
DECEMBER, 2013, I WAS EXITING PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN STREET THAT HAD 2 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HALFWAY INTO THE STREET, LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. JANUARY, 2014 CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR, LOST POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR THE GARAGE THAT DOES MY REPAIRS, OIL CHANGES,…
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DECEMBER, 2013, I WAS EXITING PARKING LOT ONTO A MAIN STREET THAT HAD 2 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HALFWAY INTO THE STREET, LOST POWER STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. JANUARY, 2014 CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR, LOST POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR THE GARAGE THAT DOES MY REPAIRS, OIL CHANGES, ETC.. MARCH, 2014, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, NO POWER STEERING, HAD TO WAIT ABOUT A HALF HOUR UNTIL POWER STEERING RETURNED...KEPT TURNING CAR OFF AND ON EVERY 10 MINUTES. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE 3 TIMES BY EMAIL (JAN-MAR). MY LAST 3 CARS HAVE BEEN FORD PRODUCTS BUT APPARENTLY BRAND LOYALTY IS NOT VALUED. REPLIES WERE--SORRY YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES-NO FOLLOW UP FROM FORD EVEN WHEN HEY KNEW THEY WERE ISSUING A POWER STEERING RECALL AS OF APRIL-MAY, 2014. I PAID $2,500 IN REPAIRS FROM DEC'13-MAR'14. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609330
97,410 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
101,000 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Air BagsCrash
SEAT BELT WAS ABLE TO SAVE ME IN THE ACCIDENT BUT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING CONCRETE ALMOST HEAD ON. AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND LIGHT TURNED IN BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596741
60,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Structure
LARGE RUSTING AREAS IN BACK SEAT DOORS, REAR WHEEL WHEELS AND TAILGATE. CONCERN LIES WITH RUST THAT CANT BE SEEN WEAKENING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF DOORS AND/OR WHEEL WELLS AND/OR TAILGATE. FIRST NOTICED BLISTERING PAINT IN 2011 AND THE PROBLEM HAS GROWN SINCE. WARRANTY WAS OF NO HELP. HAVE NOTICED SIMILAR PATTERNS ON…
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LARGE RUSTING AREAS IN BACK SEAT DOORS, REAR WHEEL WHEELS AND TAILGATE. CONCERN LIES WITH RUST THAT CANT BE SEEN WEAKENING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF DOORS AND/OR WHEEL WELLS AND/OR TAILGATE. FIRST NOTICED BLISTERING PAINT IN 2011 AND THE PROBLEM HAS GROWN SINCE. WARRANTY WAS OF NO HELP. HAVE NOTICED SIMILAR PATTERNS ON NUMEROUS MARINERS OF SIMILAR MODEL YEARS, SO THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF SOME KIND. AGAIN CONCERN LIES MOSTLY WITH RUST THAT CAN'T BE SEEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593234
106,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT 106000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR WAS $900. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592262
61,830 miles · May 14, 2014
EngineUnknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 22 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED DROPPING. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE TACHOMETER REACHED ZERO AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WHEN I TRI…
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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 22 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED DROPPING. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE TACHOMETER REACHED ZERO AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER AND START UP, HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER I LET GO OF THE KEY, THE TACHOMETER WOULD DRIFT BACK DOWN TO ZERO AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. AFTER A FEW MORE FAILED ATTEMPTS, I CALLED FOR A TOW. SINCE THIS OCCURRED AFTER HOURS, NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. IN THE MORNING WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SHOW THE TECHNICIAN THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AS IT DID THE EVENING BEFORE, THEN THE TACHOMETER STARTED DIPPING BACK DOWN, THEN JUST BEFORE IT STALLED, THE TACHOMETER FLUTTERED A LITTLE, THEN THE ENGINE REVVED BACK UP AND BEGAN IDLING NORMALLY. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO EVENTS LOGGED IN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER TO GIVE HIM AN IDEA OF WHAT CAUSED THE SUDDEN STALLING, AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANY OBVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME WITHOUT REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN WARNED ME THAT IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS THEY SEE IT WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING. NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND THAT IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR WORSE. I READ AN ARTICLE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL STATING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY OF THIS VEHICLE THAT CAUSES SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING. FORD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON CERTAIN VEHICLES FOR THIS PIECE, HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MENTIONED CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588259
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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