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2009 Mercury Mariner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mariner years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mercury Mariner are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

251 reports with mileage · 64 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 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 44 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 reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

315 reports
51,777 miles · Mar 6, 2013
Electrical System

AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THAT I SHOULD FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND STOPPED THE CAR IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 16,2013, AGAIN AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE …

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AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THAT I SHOULD FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND STOPPED THE CAR IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 16,2013, AGAIN AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT SAY THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501873

121,042 miles · Feb 28, 2013
SteeringUnknown Or Other

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING MAKING VEHICLE VERY HARD TO STEER. BY TURNING KEY OFF AND RESTARTING, WHILE TUGGING ON STEERING WHEEL, POWER STEERING WILL START WORKING AND MAY LAST 30 MINUTES OR 3 MINUTES. WHILE WORKING, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. FORD DENIES HAVI…

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WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING MAKING VEHICLE VERY HARD TO STEER. BY TURNING KEY OFF AND RESTARTING, WHILE TUGGING ON STEERING WHEEL, POWER STEERING WILL START WORKING AND MAY LAST 30 MINUTES OR 3 MINUTES. WHILE WORKING, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES NOISE. VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. FORD DENIES HAVING HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND WANTS TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN FOR $1,396.57. COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ARE NUMEROUS. I DO NOT WANT TO BUY ANOTHER DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT POWER STEERING PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500872

80,500 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOWN AND THE CAR CUT OUT AND LOST ALL POWER. I STEERED IT OFF THE ROAD SAFETY. IT RESTARTED JUST FINE AND I TOOK OFF AGAIN GOING FOUR BLOCKS WERE IT DIED INSTANTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED STALLING IN THE CAR, AND THEN ALLOWING IT TO RESTART AND CONTINUE D…

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I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A TOWN AND THE CAR CUT OUT AND LOST ALL POWER. I STEERED IT OFF THE ROAD SAFETY. IT RESTARTED JUST FINE AND I TOOK OFF AGAIN GOING FOUR BLOCKS WERE IT DIED INSTANTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED STALLING IN THE CAR, AND THEN ALLOWING IT TO RESTART AND CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD. VERY UNSAFE WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND ONCOMING TO BE STALLED ON A CURVE ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500516

99,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHE HAD TO WORK HER WAY TO THE SIDE ACROSS 3 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER. OUR MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AT OUR EXPENSE. THE NEWS TODAY INDICATED THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH CONTROLS THE THROTTLE AND WE WANTED…

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AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHE HAD TO WORK HER WAY TO THE SIDE ACROSS 3 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER. OUR MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AT OUR EXPENSE. THE NEWS TODAY INDICATED THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH CONTROLS THE THROTTLE AND WE WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A THREAT TO HER SAFETY AND APPEARS TO BE OCCURRING TO MANY PEOPLE. THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500179

2,300 miles · Feb 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

WITHIN THE FIRST MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT STALED RANDOMLY. I COULD BE DRIVING OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. IFI PUT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, IT WAS EASILY RE-STARTED. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NOTHING SHOWED ON THE COMPUTER.ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTING IN 2010, THE VEHICLE…

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WITHIN THE FIRST MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT STALED RANDOMLY. I COULD BE DRIVING OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. IFI PUT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, IT WAS EASILY RE-STARTED. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NOTHING SHOWED ON THE COMPUTER.ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTING IN 2010, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING. WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER COASTING; W AITING FOR A LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, TRYING TO LEAVE A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR AFTER MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A LULL WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. IT THEN KIND OF LURCHES INTO GEAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT'S THE WAY THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATICS WORKED AND I SHOULD ALWAYS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS PAST WEEKEND 2-3-13 WAS THE ICING ON THE CAKE. I TOOK THE CAR DOWN TO THE SHORE TO HAVE A LEISURELY WEEKEND B4 SURGERY. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I FOLLOWED WHAT IT SAID IN THE MANUAL AND THE LIGHT DID NOT BLINK 8 TIMES. I PERFORMED THE MIXED CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING FOLLOWED BY 8 HOURS OR BEING PARKED, THE LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT MORNING THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE RPMS WENT VERY HIGH AND IT LURCHED INTO GEAR. THE CAR STALLED TWICE WHILE I WAS DOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I THREW IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. DRIVING HOME , THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON BUT NO DASH LIGHTS, RADIO ETC AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND NOTICED THEY CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. I HAD THE HEAT ON FLOOR AND FRONT VENTS AT 74 & AT 1 POINT IT FELT LIKE A/C WAS ON. I FILED COMPLAINTS WITH (NHTSA) WITH NO RESPONSE. I SEE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS I HAVE ON NHTSA THAT ARE UNRESOLVED. I HAVE STAGE 3 CANCER I HAVE BEEN BATTLING FOR 9 YRS THIS SITUATION IS MAKING ME FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE CANCER I AM FIGHTING. I'M PUTTING MYSELF AT RISK BY DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497586

59,995 miles · Jan 30, 2013
EnginePower Train

AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AS I ACCELERATE MY CAR JUMPS/JERKS AS IF IT'S STRAINING TO SWITCH TO NEXT GEAR. GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 10-40 MILES. WHEN IT INITIALLY STARTED IT WOULD HAPPEN 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE TO HAVE DEALER LOOK AT VEHI…

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AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, AS I ACCELERATE MY CAR JUMPS/JERKS AS IF IT'S STRAINING TO SWITCH TO NEXT GEAR. GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 10-40 MILES. WHEN IT INITIALLY STARTED IT WOULD HAPPEN 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE TO HAVE DEALER LOOK AT VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495256

76,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE REQUIRED RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL FROM THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE REQUIRED RESERVOIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAL FROM THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FUEL AND REFERRED HER TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO AN OVERHAUL AND REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10039137: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT NO RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10488018

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND FOG, SEVERELY REDUCING VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND FOG, SEVERELY REDUCING VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF UPDATED 08/31/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464390

38,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FLUORESCENT OIL FROM BEHIND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, IT'S THE CONDENSER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR LINES RUN THROUGH THE SAME SYSTEM, AND THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED MY TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS FAILURE WAS EXPLAINED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP, AND THEY SAID IF I'M GOING O…

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MY VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FLUORESCENT OIL FROM BEHIND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, IT'S THE CONDENSER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR LINES RUN THROUGH THE SAME SYSTEM, AND THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED MY TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS FAILURE WAS EXPLAINED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP, AND THEY SAID IF I'M GOING OVER ABOUT 30 MPH IT WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS. I AM ABOUT 2,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE EMAILS I HAVE SENT TO FORD ONLY GET A RESPONSE THAT THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE MY MONEY AND FIX IT. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF BUYING IT, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REMOVED TO REPAIR SOMETHING. THEN, A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. THEN, IT WAS SHIFTING FUNNY -BECAUSE IT HAD VERY LITTLE FLUID-NOONE COULD EXPLAIN WHY. THE VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL AT 42 MPH "COULD NOT BE VERIFIED. " THE MANUFACTURER WAS APPARENTLY OUT OF SATELLITE RECEIVERS, SO THEY JUST DIDN'T PUT ONE IN...THE LACK OF QUALITY OVERALL PROVES THAT THE LENGTH OF THE WARRANTY IS TO PREVENT THEM FROM COSTLY FIXES...AND MY "LONG TERM INVESTMENT " MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M PUTTING MINE AND MY FAMILY'S HEALTH AT RISK BY DRIVING IT. I SPENT EVERY DIME I SAVED IN IRAQ ON THIS POS BECAUSE I KNEW I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I'M OUT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457399

1,906 miles · Apr 5, 2012
StructureVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD RETAINED MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE AND BLOCKED HER VIEW. PREVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE RETENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE WINDSHIELD FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD RETAINED MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE AND BLOCKED HER VIEW. PREVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE RETENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE WINDSHIELD FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOISTURE RETENTION WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,906 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,600. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 07/06/12 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10454286

Official recalls

1

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

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

PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding to the limited limp home mode.Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that