Steering. Review the 297 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

461 reports

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2011

Power Train

2008 MERCURY MARINER - TRANSMISSION COOLER SEVERE LEAK AT 31,000 MILES. OUT OF 36 MONTH WARRANTY. REPAIR COST AT FORD/MERCURY DEALER $850. WAS TOLD THAT IF NOT REPAIRED, THE COOLER COULD BURST AND DUMP ALL FLUID RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404258

44,000 miles · May 24, 2011

Power Train

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TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING FLUID CAUSING GEAR SLIPPAGE DURING ACCELERATION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE GAS PEDAL PUSHED IT WOULD REV UP THEN SLAM INTO GEAR OR NOT EVEN GO INTO GEAR AT ALL AND STALL. INITIAL RESEARCH INDICATED A COMMON FACTORY DEFECT FOR MERCURY MARINERS AND FORD ESCAPES. LEAKING BEGAN AT 43000 MILES, WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36000 MILES. ADVISED BY DEALER REPAIR COST WOULD BE $975.00. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD SORRY IT COSTS SO MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402549

2,000 miles · May 17, 2011

Air BagsCrash

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS INVOLUNTARILY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,635. UPDATED 06/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ENTERING A SMALL DRIVEWAY TO A STORE, THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. HE THEN HIT A CURB AND DAMAGED THE OIL PAN. UPDATED 12/05/11

NHTSA ODI #10401246

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2010

Suspension

2008 MERCURY MARINER WITH TIRES BALDING ON ONE SIDE. CONSUMER STATES THE TIRES ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE GOING BALD. *KB THE DEALER STATED THE SHOCK WAS LEAKING AND THE CAMBER WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW CONTROL ARM. IT WAS BROUGHT TO NORMAL, BUT NOT TO WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE DEALER THEN …

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NHTSA ODI #10348752

3,700 miles · Jul 18, 2010

Air Bags

THE AIR BAG ON MY 2008 (PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 2009) MERCURY MARINER DEPLOYED (NO ACCIDENT) FORD, IN EFFECT CALLED ME A LIAR BUT FARMERS INSURANCE FIXED THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT CHARGE THE INCIDENT AS AN ACCIDENT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE BUT AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE FORD WHILE BEING VERY POLITE SAID THIS HAS NEVER HAPP…

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NHTSA ODI #10343841

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2010

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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2008 MERCURY MARINER. CONSUMER STATES SAFETY ISSUES WITH ROTORS *TGW THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROTORS FOR THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE WORN, PITTED AND RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS VERIFIED WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSED AT SPEEDS OF 30 OR 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO THEN ASSERTED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS WRONG AND THAT ALL VEHICLES HAVE RUST ON THEIR ROTORS. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS MECHANIC BECAUSE OF A CONTINUED PEDAL PULSATION BEGINNING AT 30- 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, WHO DID INDEED AGREE THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RUSTED, PITTED AND UNSAFE. ALSO THE REAR DRUMS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE TONE RINGS HAD FALLEN OFF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10340132

56,000 miles · Jun 24, 2010

Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

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IN DECEMBER OF 2009 I REPORTED AN INCIDENCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. SINCE THEN WE HAVE NOT BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL MUCH. YESTERDAY I ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 60MPH ON A LONG FLAT AREA. THERE IS A MOUNTAIN PASS AND CURVES BETWEEN THAT AREA AND OUR HOME. I HIT THE BRAKE AND SLOWED DOWN AROUND THE 35 MPH CURVES. ON THE DOWN GRADE I TOOK IT OUT OF OVER DRIVE AND DROPPED DOWN A GEAR. THE ROAD FLATTENS OUT AGAIN AT THE BOTTOM BUT I DID NOT REENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. AT ONE POINT AT AN INTERSECTION I HAD TO BRAKE TO TEN MILES PER HOUR OR LESS FOR AN ONCOMING CAR. JUST AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO OUR STREET THE CAR BEGAN RAPIDLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. SINCE THE ROAD IS STRAIGHT I ALLOWED IT TO ACCELERATE TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD DO. IT WENT FROM 10 MPH TO 50 MPH BEFORE MY WIFE ASKED, "WHY ARE YOU ACCELERATING? I REPLIED, " I'M NOT. IT'S DOING IT ON ITS OWN." IT DISENGAGED AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE IS NO WAY THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FLOOR MAT. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 10MPH WHEN IT BEGAN ACCELERATING AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. THE LAST TIME I COMPLAINED TO FORD THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES ON IT. FORD SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THEY HADN'T EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD WITH THE CAR: WHEN IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT THE FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING WHEN BRAKING. FORD SAID THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND RESURFACED THEM UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE THE PADS OR INSTALL NEW ROTORS. ABOUT 15,000 MILES LATER IT BEGAN VIBRATING AGAIN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50MPH. NOW THE VIBRATION IS SEVERE. WE ARE LOOKING AT A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL. WE HAVE NEVER DETECTED THE BRAKES BEING OVERHEATED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. ANOTHER PROBLEM WE HAD WAS THAT THE TRANS COOLER WENT OUT AT 26,000 MILES. FORD INSTALLED A NEW ONE UNDER WARRANTY BUT REFUSED TO DRAIN AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339831

28,600 miles · May 20, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND OBSERVED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD DETACHED FROM THE CABLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ATTACHED BACK TO THE CABLE; AND FUNCTIONED NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ACCE…

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NHTSA ODI #10331451

50,989 miles · May 17, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

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ON MAY 15, 2010, I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY IN ROSEVILLE, MN. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE SNAPPED COMPLETELY DISABLING THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN, AND WE WERE NEARLY REARENDED AT 55 MILES AN HOUR AS I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, STEER IT TO SAFETY AND PUT THE HAZARD FLASHERS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 50, 980 MILES SO IT NO LONGER HAS BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON IT AND THIS PIECE IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE POWERTRAIN AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP FEELS THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330924

36,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010

Power Train

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION DURING THE WINTER OF 2010 AND CONTINUING. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FURTHERMORE, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP THEN SHIFT IN ANOTHER GEAR THEN WHEN TAKING OFF THE VEHICLE SLAMS INTO GEAR. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF COMPLETELY WHEN IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE REVVING AND ENGINE CUTTING OFF IS GETTING WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR WARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316798

Official recalls

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 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

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)

14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

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.

14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

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

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