NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
254 reports180,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10663633
134,567 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,56…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,567. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10663554
107,000 miles · Dec 6, 2014
Visibility
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE. NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662539
93,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Unknown Or Other
UPON REVERSING FROM A PARKED POSITION AND THEN SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING SOUND, MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE PURCHASED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. I AM SURE THAT IF TWO OF US HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SO MUST OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS. IT COS…
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UPON REVERSING FROM A PARKED POSITION AND THEN SLOWLY MOVING FORWARD THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING SOUND, MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE PURCHASED ONE MONTH PRIOR TO MINE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. I AM SURE THAT IF TWO OF US HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SO MUST OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS. IT COST MY DAUGHTER $1000 TO HAVE HERS REPLACED, UNFORTUNATELY I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD THAT SO MY VEHICLE SITS IDLE. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652417
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
40,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A KNOCK COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/03/15
NHTSA ODI #10639099
78,805 miles · Sep 1, 2014
Power Train
I WAS COMING TO A RED LIGHT AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. AT FIRST I HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND AS IF A BELT WAS HAVING A PROBLEM. THEN I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. I STARTED TO MAKE A TURN AND AS I WAS DOING THIS THE FORD ESCAPE ON ITS OWN STARTED …
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I WAS COMING TO A RED LIGHT AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. AT FIRST I HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND AS IF A BELT WAS HAVING A PROBLEM. THEN I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION. I STARTED TO MAKE A TURN AND AS I WAS DOING THIS THE FORD ESCAPE ON ITS OWN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED TO BRAKE, HOWEVER, THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD. BY THAT TIME I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. AT THAT POINT IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. I THEN CALLED A TOWING COMPANY AND THEY TOWED IT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THEY HAVE ALSO SAID IT WILL BE THERE FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10629831
25,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Unknown Or Other
ORIGINAL OWNER STATED THAT AFTER SHE HAD HAD THE CAR ABOUT 18 MONTHS IT HAD JUST STOPPED ON HER SEVERAL TIMES WHEN SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH AND WITHOUT THE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON FIRST. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT BY A FORD AGENCY IN VIRGINIA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, IT HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AGAI…
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ORIGINAL OWNER STATED THAT AFTER SHE HAD HAD THE CAR ABOUT 18 MONTHS IT HAD JUST STOPPED ON HER SEVERAL TIMES WHEN SHE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH AND WITHOUT THE WARNING LIGHT COMING ON FIRST. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT BY A FORD AGENCY IN VIRGINIA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, IT HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN BETWEEN 2010 AND 2013, IT WAS CHECKED OUT BY A PENNSYLVANIA FORD DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SHE STOPPED DRIVING IN 2013 THE CAR WAS SOLD TO A FRIEND WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 127,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER USING IT FOR ABOUT 3000 MILES AND SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH THE WARNING LIGHT TO PULL OVER AT ONCE CAME ON. HE DID, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF ,WAITED 10 MINUTES AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN. HE THEN PROCEEDED ANOTHER 20 MILES OR SO AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THEN SAID THAT THE "MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLING PUMP" WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS THAT IF IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM, "WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL?" THIS IS POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! WHY SHOULD THE CUSTOMER HAVE TO PAY OVER $800 TO HAVE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART REPLACED? I FEEL THAT FORD HAS BEEN GROSSLY NEGLIGENT IN NOT ACTING ON THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10616488
71,200 miles · Jul 16, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train
O/D LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. WAS DRIVING AT 40MPH. I COULD FEEL IT DROPPING OUT OF GEAR, BEING SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD REV PERIODICALLY. I CALLED FORD CORPORATE, THEY TOOK DOWN THE COMPLAINT BUT OTHER THAN THAT; NOTHING. WE DID A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH 'FORD ESCAPE 2007 O/D LIGHT' AND IMMEDIATELY SAW AT LEAST SIXTY CO…
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O/D LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY. WAS DRIVING AT 40MPH. I COULD FEEL IT DROPPING OUT OF GEAR, BEING SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND IT WOULD REV PERIODICALLY. I CALLED FORD CORPORATE, THEY TOOK DOWN THE COMPLAINT BUT OTHER THAN THAT; NOTHING. WE DID A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH 'FORD ESCAPE 2007 O/D LIGHT' AND IMMEDIATELY SAW AT LEAST SIXTY COMMENTS THAT ALL DETAILED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (WHICH IS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE REP FROM FORD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, WHICH IS ODD CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ALL HAVE FORD ESCAPE'S & ALL ARE 07. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG & A RECALL SHOULD'VE ISSUED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611089
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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