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2007 Mercury Montego

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

34 reports with mileage · 2 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

12 reports
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111,500 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WHILE IN A LOWER RPM SUCH AS AT A STOP LIGHT, DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND PARKING LOTS. ESPECIALLY INCREASED INSTANCES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE CAR TO DIE COMPLETELY IN SOME CASES. I HAVE TO TRY TO PULL OVER SOMEWHERE IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTAR…

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MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WHILE IN A LOWER RPM SUCH AS AT A STOP LIGHT, DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND PARKING LOTS. ESPECIALLY INCREASED INSTANCES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE CAR TO DIE COMPLETELY IN SOME CASES. I HAVE TO TRY TO PULL OVER SOMEWHERE IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THIS ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATION IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY LATELY. I CAN COUNT ON IT TO HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE TIME I HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS NOT. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED HUNDREDS OF TIMES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS! IF I WERE SLOW TO REACT TO THE ACCELERATION, THE CAR WOULD DEFINITELY RUN OVER A PEDESTRIAN OR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE! LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUE LIKE THIS OCCURRING IN OTHER LIKE MODELS. PLEASE HELP! LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND AND I WENT THROUGH A LOCAL RESTAURANT DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND WHILE GOING THROUGH THE LINE, THE ENGINE SURGED 5 DIFFERENT TIMES! THESE ARE NOT SLIGHT LITTLE RPM BUMPS, THESE ARE FULL FLEDGED "THE CAR THINKS I AM MASHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL TO OBTAIN SPEEDS OF LIKE 45 MPH" ACCELERATIONS! TODAY I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 35 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND TURNED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE CAR DIED WHEN IT REACHED A DOWNHILL TURN AT THE POINT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO HOLD BACK THE SPEED. OF COURSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEN THE ENGINE DIED, SO I HAD TO TRY AND FIND A PLACE TO "FLOAT" INTO IN ORDER TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. I NEED THIS FIXED VERY BADLY BEFORE MY FAMILY AND I ARE IN AN ACCIDENT. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP HOPING THEY GET THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS NOR CAN I AFFORD A NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11229344

190,358 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED, VEHICLE LIGHTS ALL FLICKERED THE LOST POWER..ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, WAS ABLE TO COAST VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF 35W, APPLY BRAKES AND STOP. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. NO LIGHTS NO DASH LIGHTS..FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL ABLE TO GET 30 MPH UPHILL APPROXIMATELY. AT TOP OF HILL PO…

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TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED, VEHICLE LIGHTS ALL FLICKERED THE LOST POWER..ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, WAS ABLE TO COAST VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF 35W, APPLY BRAKES AND STOP. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. NO LIGHTS NO DASH LIGHTS..FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL ABLE TO GET 30 MPH UPHILL APPROXIMATELY. AT TOP OF HILL POWER CAME BACK ON..THEN KILLED AGAIN. TOW CALLED. CURRENTLY AT GARAGE WHERE SENSORS ARE SHOWING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631657

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

IN THE FALL OF 2012, I NOTICED THE ENGINE WOULD 'REV UP' WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO 'LUNGE' IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE BRAKE FIRMLY DEPRESSED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SO NOW I HOLD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN I …

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IN THE FALL OF 2012, I NOTICED THE ENGINE WOULD 'REV UP' WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO 'LUNGE' IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE BRAKE FIRMLY DEPRESSED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SO NOW I HOLD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IN DECEMBER 2012 OR JANUARY 2013, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM FORD FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. THE LETTER STATED EXACTLY WHAT MY CAR WAS DOING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER (LB SMITH) ON FEBRUARY 18 TO REPAIR THE THROTTLE BODY PER THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER. THE 'REPAIR' DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. ON SATURDAY, MAY 11 WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR 'LUNGED' FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT WHILE I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO LB SMITH AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. I WAS INFORMED THE SAFETY RECALL WAS FOR A ONE TIME CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE BODY AND MY THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $750.00. I CALLED FORD'S TOLL FREE NUMBER TO SEE IF SOME ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED AS IT WAS A SAFETY RECALL THAT WASN'T FIXED. I WAS INFORMED THAT NO ASSISTANCE COULD BE GIVEN. SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS 'LUNGED' WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO PULL INTO GAS STATION PUMPS AND INTO PARKING SPACES. IT HAS ESCALATED FROM LUNGING WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR TO LUNGING WHEN I AM SITTING STILL AND WHEN I SLOW DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520674

85,000 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478109

39,145 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE QUICKLY, THEN DECREASE JUST AS QUICKLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS BEING TU…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE QUICKLY, THEN DECREASE JUST AS QUICKLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS BEING TURNED AND THE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN A MONTH AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475979

82,000 miles · Aug 28, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS/SCARY "SURGING" PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. A WEB SEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PRETTY COMMON IN THIS AUTO BUT I HA…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS/SCARY "SURGING" PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. A WEB SEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PRETTY COMMON IN THIS AUTO BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE THE PROBLEM PINPOINTED. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472724

155,000 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATES SUDDENLY WITH NO OPERATOR INPUT (THROTTLE PEDAL), ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. CAUSES VEHICLE TO LUNGE DURING PARKING MANEUVERS. ALSO REQUIRES ABNORMAL BRAKING INPUT IN TRAFFIC WHEN NORMALLY ENGINE BRAKING WOULD SUFFICE. HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE BY A FOR…

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ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATES SUDDENLY WITH NO OPERATOR INPUT (THROTTLE PEDAL), ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. CAUSES VEHICLE TO LUNGE DURING PARKING MANEUVERS. ALSO REQUIRES ABNORMAL BRAKING INPUT IN TRAFFIC WHEN NORMALLY ENGINE BRAKING WOULD SUFFICE. HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE BY A FORD DEALER (COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED); WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460738

83,500 miles · May 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LUNGE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE QUICKLY, THEN DECREASE JUST AS QUICKLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS BEING TURNED AND…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LUNGE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE QUICKLY, THEN DECREASE JUST AS QUICKLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS BEING TURNED AND THE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO DRIVE AFTER GOING FROM REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS TURNED. HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, IS EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, BUT SINCE THE TIMING AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE MALFUNCTION IS UNPREDICTABLE, IT HAS BECOME A NOTICEABLE AND CONSTANT ISSUE. I THOUGHT MY VEHICLE WAS AN ISOLATED ISSUE, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE MORE WIDESPREAD. AFTER SEEING THIS ISSUE ON ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARDS FOR FORD FIVE HUNDRED/MONTEGO/FREESTYLE VEHICLES AND NOW THE 2005-2007 FORD FREESTYLE INVESTIGATION, I WOULD STRONGLY URGE NHTSA TO EXPAND THIS INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE 2005-2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED/MERCURY MONTEGO SINCE THESE VEHICLE USE SIMILAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS. THE SYMPTOMS I HAVE SEEN ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FORD FREESTYLE IN INVESTIGATION PE 11-018 OPENED ON 5/11/2011

NHTSA ODI #10403179

86,847 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL FAILED TWICE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BEFORE HE PLACED HIS FOOT BACK ON IT. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL FAILED TWICE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BEFORE HE PLACED HIS FOOT BACK ON IT. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86847. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109847. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF UPDATED 04/13/11

NHTSA ODI #10363911

48,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

OUR 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO HAS A PERMIT WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 MONETEGO ONE EVENING WITH ME. WHEN SHE WENT TO PARK AT A DRIVE INN RESTAURANT UNDER MY GUIDANCE, SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD. AS AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER SHE PANICKED AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE - ENDANGERING THE LI…

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OUR 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO HAS A PERMIT WAS DRIVING OUR 2007 MONETEGO ONE EVENING WITH ME. WHEN SHE WENT TO PARK AT A DRIVE INN RESTAURANT UNDER MY GUIDANCE, SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD. AS AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER SHE PANICKED AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE - ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE THAT WERE EATING AT THE PICNIC TABLES OUTSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT. THANKFULLY THE CAR WAS GOING AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED AND THE CURB STOPPED ITS FORWARD MOTION. I HAD NOTICED INTERMITTENT "LUNGING" WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES JUST A FEW TIMES BEFORE THIS AND A CLUNKING WHEN SHIFTING AND I HAD ALREADY TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES BUT SAID THEY WERE FINE. AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH MY DAUGHTER WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS BAD. I CALLED FORD THREE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE SINCE DONE SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE WHICH ACTUALLY CONFIRMS WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME. HE ACTUALLY SAID THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THERE HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE FIXES AND HE STATED THAT THE DEFECT IS VERY DANGEROUS - THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL NOW!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355656

Official recalls

1

11V355000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE FUEL TANKS MAY NOT HAVE CONSISTENT WELDS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK SPUD WHICH CAN AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE JOINT. SOME FUEL TANK SPUD WELDS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE EXPECTED STRENGTH IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE REAR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. AN IMPROPER WELD CAN RESULT IN A CRACK IN THE JOINT WHICH COULD ILLUMINATE THE EMISSIONS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT, CAUSE A FUEL ODOR, OR ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK OUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

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

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.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 May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

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