NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
30 reportsClear category filter54,350 miles · Sep 5, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
THE FORD ESCAPE,4 CYLINDER FRONT DRIVERS DOOR LATCH AND PASSENGER REAR DOOR LATCH FAULTY CAUSING DOOR LOCK ALARM TO SOUND THE HORN VARIOUS TIMES OF THE DAY WITH VEHICLE PARKED AND LOCKED BY KEY. HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS (JUNE,JULY AUG, SEPT 2015) SOME DAYS MULTIPLE ALARMS THEN A DRY SPELL THEN AT 10 AM AND THEN AT 3 PM …
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THE FORD ESCAPE,4 CYLINDER FRONT DRIVERS DOOR LATCH AND PASSENGER REAR DOOR LATCH FAULTY CAUSING DOOR LOCK ALARM TO SOUND THE HORN VARIOUS TIMES OF THE DAY WITH VEHICLE PARKED AND LOCKED BY KEY. HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS (JUNE,JULY AUG, SEPT 2015) SOME DAYS MULTIPLE ALARMS THEN A DRY SPELL THEN AT 10 AM AND THEN AT 3 PM SAME DAY OR DIFFERENT DAY. ALL WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10761782
60,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Electrical System
THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES AND BEEPS WHILE THE OVERHEAD LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES IT CONTINUES FOR A FEW MINUTES AND OTHER TIMES IT GOES ON AND ON UNTIL I STOP THE CAR AND SLAM ALL THE DOORS ON MY CAR SHUT. MY CAR ALARM ALSO GOES OFF ALL BY ITSELF FOR NO REASON, PROBABLY RESULTING FROM T…
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THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES AND BEEPS WHILE THE OVERHEAD LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES IT CONTINUES FOR A FEW MINUTES AND OTHER TIMES IT GOES ON AND ON UNTIL I STOP THE CAR AND SLAM ALL THE DOORS ON MY CAR SHUT. MY CAR ALARM ALSO GOES OFF ALL BY ITSELF FOR NO REASON, PROBABLY RESULTING FROM THIS SAME PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND FROM ONLINE POSTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644670
93,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical SystemSeat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE KEY FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION FREQUENTLY IN ORDER TO MOVE THE KEY AND START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MANEUVER THE KEY FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION FREQUENTLY IN ORDER TO MOVE THE KEY AND START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BELT HAD TO BE ADJUSTED TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10640093
140,000 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline
THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT DRIVE REV OR GO. GAS PEDAL DOES NOT MOVE. COLD WEATHER AND IT DOES THIS MORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555373
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS DAUGHTERS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE SERVICE ADVISOR, THE ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND GOING OFF FOR A WHILE. UPON THE RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON…
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2002 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS DAUGHTERS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE SERVICE ADVISOR, THE ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND GOING OFF FOR A WHILE. UPON THE RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DESK AND REPORTED THE ISSUE AND HE WAS INFORMED HE COULD LEAVE THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS, BUT THERE WOULD BE A FEE OF $ 130.00. THE CONSUMER REFUSED AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PROBLEM THEY WERE ENCOUNTERING WAS AN ABS CODE B1676 WHICH WAS A RESULT OF NO ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ABS MODULE. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED, BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD NO LONGER GO OUT, THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION WAS CAUSED BY PERFORMING THE WORK ON THE RECALL. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED, THAT THE RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS TO ADD POWER TO THE JUNCTION BLOCK TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY TO THE ABS MODULE IN SUCH A WAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CATCH FIRE, AND THAT POWER WAS NOT BEING SUPPLIED TO TWO OF THE WIRES AT ALL. THE REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THERE WERE TWO INCORRECT SPLICES PERFORMED AT THE DEALER. APPARENTLY, THERE WERE TWO SPLICES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE MECHANIC ONLY PUT A HEAT-SHRINK TAPE ON THE CONNECTION AND DID NOT ELECTRICALLY CONNECT THE WIRES. AFTER THE REPAIR OF THE TWO SPLICES, THE SHOP FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO WIRES SUPPLYING POWER TO THE ABS MODULE STILL ONLY HAD THREE VOLTS AT ONE OF THE CONNECTORS. THE SHOP FOUND ADDITIONAL RECALLS AS WELL. AFTER INSPECTING THE HARNESS PER THE RECALL NOTICE, HE FOUND THE INSULATION ON SOME OF THE WIRES DAMAGED AND ONE OF THE WIRES WAS CORRODED INTERNALLY CAUSING THE LOW VOLTAGE PROBLEM. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE INSPECTION COVER ON THE CONNECTOR HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR INSPECTION AND THE MASTER CYLINDER CAP LOOKED NEWER AND NOT THE ORIGINAL. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN HE REMOVED THE CONNECTOR FROM THE ABS UNIT, THERE WAS NO GREASE APPLIED IN THE CAVITY LIKE THE
NHTSA ODI #10545961
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR...I WAS DRIVING FROM L.A. TO PALM SPRINGS ...AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE ROAD THE CAR JUST STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY....I PULLED OVER AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IT WAS FINE FOR 10 MIN THEN DID IT AGAIN. STARTED AGAIN AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY AT 40- 50 MILES AN HOUR WITH HAZARDS ON. PROBLEM SEEME…
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JUST BOUGHT THE CAR...I WAS DRIVING FROM L.A. TO PALM SPRINGS ...AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE ROAD THE CAR JUST STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY....I PULLED OVER AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IT WAS FINE FOR 10 MIN THEN DID IT AGAIN. STARTED AGAIN AND DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY AT 40- 50 MILES AN HOUR WITH HAZARDS ON. PROBLEM SEEMED TO STOP AS LONG AS I DROVE AT THIS SPEED AND WAS NOT ON AN INCLINE OF ANY TYPE. CAR PULLS AT TIMES BUT MOSTLY DRIVES FINE IF I'M NOT ON THE FREEWAY AND IF I DON'T DRIVE OVER AN HOUR AT 60MPH. OTHERWISE IT STALLS OUT AT UNEXPECTED MOMENTS ON FREEWAYS. A VERY UNRELIABLE VEHICLE AND VERY DANGEROUS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532774
60,000 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
WE TOOK OUR 2007 FORD ESCAPE (APROX 60,000 MILES) ON A ROAD TRIP FROM OMAHA NE TO ST. LOUIS MO ON 3/10/13 AND ARRIVED WITH NO ISSUES. ON OUR RETURN TRIP WE DROVE ABOUT 100 MILES UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST …
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WE TOOK OUR 2007 FORD ESCAPE (APROX 60,000 MILES) ON A ROAD TRIP FROM OMAHA NE TO ST. LOUIS MO ON 3/10/13 AND ARRIVED WITH NO ISSUES. ON OUR RETURN TRIP WE DROVE ABOUT 100 MILES UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY BUT WERE UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. WE HAD AAA TOW THE VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MILES TO THE CLOSEST TOWN AND AAA APPROVED MECHANIC. WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BURNED THROUGH ALL OF THE OIL AND WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING LOW OIL UP UNTIL THIS POINT. I HAD RECENTLY HAD MY OIL CHANGED ABOUT 8 WEEK AND LESS THAN 1000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO LEAKS SO IT SEEMS VERY IMPROBABLY THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE USED 4 QTS OF OIL IN THAT TIME. I CONTACTED FORD AND THE VEHICLE IS JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST. IN MY RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS MAY BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE AT ABOUT 60-70K MILES AND MAY WARRANT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH. I AM CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO GET MY VEHICLE TRANSPORTED THE 350 MILES HOME TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND REPAIRED. THE CURRENT ESTIMATES I RECEIVED FOR REPAIR ARE BETWEEN $3,500-6,000. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2007/ENGINE/ENGINE_FAILURE.SHTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503024
45,000 miles · Mar 15, 2009
Electrical System
ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKING BADLY AND SOMETIMES IS VERY HARD TO PRESS DOWN. GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN EITHER THE ENGINE IS COLD OR THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 60. IT GETS SO BAD AT TIMES I HAVE TO REALLY STOMP ON IT AND THAT, OF COURSE, CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261868
21,731 miles · Jan 20, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ALL OF THE REMEDIES TO DATE HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT IN CORRECTING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,731 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE TRANSMISSION WAS JERKING AND SHIFTING HARD. WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT MADE A SOUND LIKE TWISTING METAL AND THE BRAKES POPPED AND JERKED, WHEN ACCELERATING IN A CURVE. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE ALSO PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR NO REASON, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, THEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING UP. UPDATED 02/05/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10255708
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
MY VECHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN MY FRONT YARD OVER NIGHT SOMETIME IN THE REAR TRUNK OF MY SUV AND FORD DEALERSHIP AND THER CAUSE OF ORGIN HAS LEFT IT UNEXPLAINED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10180945
Official recalls
2Sep 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.
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
2DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related 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. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
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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