Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2125–50K
5150–75K
8075–100K
146100–150K
84150K+
404 reports with mileage · 57 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
217,000 miles · Apr 6, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FAIL TO MOVE WITH EASE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATTH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FAIL TO MOVE WITH EASE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATTHEWS FORD (1101 W SW EXPY DR, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012) BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 217,000.
NHTSA ODI #11320324
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2020
Electrical System
THE CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (A CITY STREET, NOT A HIGHWAY) AND A TRIANGULAR LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS HAD HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY AND I HAD PAID A DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE HYBRID COOLING PUMP. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART H…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (A CITY STREET, NOT A HIGHWAY) AND A TRIANGULAR LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS HAD HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY AND I HAD PAID A DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE HYBRID COOLING PUMP. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART HAD BEEN RECALLED AND WAS REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE SAME PART HAS FAILED AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE PART AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11319829
117,000 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN IT COMES TO A STOP, MID TURN, SLOWING DOWN, AND SOMETIMES ACCELERATING. SEVERAL WEBSITES SHOW 100'S OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS A MAY SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT DIES AT ANY POINT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11317298
160 miles · Feb 27, 2020
Steering
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. I BECAME SCARED AS I THOUGHT I MIGHT CRASH WHEN I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND TRY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. STEERING THE CAR EVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAS HARD FOR ME.…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE. I BECAME SCARED AS I THOUGHT I MIGHT CRASH WHEN I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND TRY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. STEERING THE CAR EVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAS HARD FOR ME. THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN SHAKES WHEN IT'S IN IDLE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS UPON MY GOOLE SEARCH, IT SHOWED AN OLD RECALL WITH THIS SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO GAVE ME THE CODE OF B2278 WHICH IS STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE HARD TO STEER. I LOOKED BACK AT PAST COMPLAINTS AND IT SHOWS SEVERAL OWNERS HAVING THE SAME STEERING ISSUE BUT DID NOT REPORT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WHEN THE RECALL WAS ACTIVE THAT THIS ISSUE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. I CALLED FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE SO THAT LEAVES ME TO GET THIS REPAIRED WHICH WILL BE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS I DON'T HAVE. I COMPLETED FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE IS NO STATUE OF LIMITATIONS ON ANY RECALL AND IN FACT I HAVE 10 TO 15 YEARS AFTER AN ACTIVE RECALL TO HAVE THE RECALLED ISSUE REPAIRED BUT NO ONE WILL HONOR THIS. WHAT CAN I DO?
NHTSA ODI #11311786
231,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
THE CAR IS REVING HIGH AND ACCELERATING POORLY. THEN THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT TELLING ME TO STOP SAFETY NOW COMES ON CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT DRIVES BUT WITH SAME ISSUES. LOOK ON THE CARCOMPLAINT.COM WEBSITE FOR TSB-09-19-12 AND TSB-08-24-5 WHICH DETAIL WHAT MY CAR IS DOING AND MAKES …
Read full complaint
THE CAR IS REVING HIGH AND ACCELERATING POORLY. THEN THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT TELLING ME TO STOP SAFETY NOW COMES ON CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT DRIVES BUT WITH SAME ISSUES. LOOK ON THE CARCOMPLAINT.COM WEBSITE FOR TSB-09-19-12 AND TSB-08-24-5 WHICH DETAIL WHAT MY CAR IS DOING AND MAKES IT APPEAR LIKE THERE IS A COOLING PUMP RECALL. FORD JUST TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR MY VIN THOUGH. THE FREQUENCY OF WHICH THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON IS INCREASING THIS MONTH. IT WAS EVERY FEW MONTHS AND NOW IT IS WEEKLY-DAILY.
NHTSA ODI #11310281
215,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE 'POWER ST…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE' MESSAGE SUDDENLY OCCURRED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000(STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
NHTSA ODI #11308674
115,000 miles · Feb 6, 2020
Steering
JERKING BACK AND FORTH OF STEERING WHEEL WOULD OCCUR OCCASIONALLY UNTIL POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE FAILED. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CODE WOULD COME ON EVERY SO OFTEN . I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE CODE CAME ON AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN STEERING DIFFICULTY UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF THE…
Read full complaint
JERKING BACK AND FORTH OF STEERING WHEEL WOULD OCCUR OCCASIONALLY UNTIL POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE FAILED. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CODE WOULD COME ON EVERY SO OFTEN . I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE CODE CAME ON AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN STEERING DIFFICULTY UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF THEN BACK ON. POWER STEERING IS COMPLETELY FAILING NOW RESULTING IN INCREASED FORCE TO GET THE CAR TO TURN.
NHTSA ODI #11307607
77,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020
SteeringInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. *DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11306846
120,000 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE BAJA PENINSULA MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MAKE STRANGE NOISES. SHORTLY AFTER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING MAKING NAVIGATION OVER THE MOUNTAIN ROADS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HARD. ONCE HOME IN THE US I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD/MERCURY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN SATISFIED. BUT NOW …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE BAJA PENINSULA MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MAKE STRANGE NOISES. SHORTLY AFTER I LOST ALL POWER STEERING MAKING NAVIGATION OVER THE MOUNTAIN ROADS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HARD. ONCE HOME IN THE US I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD/MERCURY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN SATISFIED. BUT NOW I'M SEEING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT STEERING ISSUES OCCURRING WITHIN THE SAME TIME FRAME AS MY OWN.
NHTSA ODI #11302707
200,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT VEHICLE STARTUP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOON AFTER, THE STEERING CEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT VEHICLE STARTUP, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOON AFTER, THE STEERING CEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
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
2008 Mercury Mariner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration