NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
254 reports119,235 miles · Jul 13, 2014
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND 2ND GEAR AND FOURTH GEAR STARTED NOT TO ENGAGE ONLY 2ND GEAR WOULD AT 4,000 RPMS. 4TH GEAR WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL THE CAR HAS ONLY 119,235 MILES AND I HAVE KEPT GOOD SERVICE ON IT. I HAD THE FLUID FLUSHED AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO A PERSON THAT SAID THAT THEY WILL TRY TO F…
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I WAS DRIVING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND 2ND GEAR AND FOURTH GEAR STARTED NOT TO ENGAGE ONLY 2ND GEAR WOULD AT 4,000 RPMS. 4TH GEAR WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL THE CAR HAS ONLY 119,235 MILES AND I HAVE KEPT GOOD SERVICE ON IT. I HAD THE FLUID FLUSHED AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO A PERSON THAT SAID THAT THEY WILL TRY TO FLASH THE COMPUTER. HOPE IT WORKS I ALSO HOPE THAT I DON'T END UP IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THE GEAR LUNCHES INTO 2ND CAUSING THE TRUCK TO JERK FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610204
85,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Power TrainStructureCrash
NOISES/SQUEAKING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. SEVERAL COLLISIONS DUE TO STOP TIMING BEING OFF. MOST RECENTLY RATTLING, HIGH PITCHED SCREECHING FOLLOWED BY FAILURE TO ACCELERATE, BURNING SMELL, AND COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608777
124,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Suspension
HIT SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR. VEHICLE BEGAN TO PITCH UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. WENT OVER ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM…
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HIT SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR. VEHICLE BEGAN TO PITCH UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. WENT OVER ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPES. HOWEVER, NO RECALLS, NO NOTICES TO OWNERS OF ANY POTENTIAL HAZARD. THE NEXT OWNER MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605508
55,050 miles · Jun 18, 2014
TiresWheels
WHILE I WAS SLEEPING, A SECOND CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW UP AND DAMAGED THE DRIVERS SIDE QUARTER PANEL SEVERELY. THE EXPLOSION WOKE NEIGHBORS 2 STREETS OVER. MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 13 HOURS AND THE CONDITIONS WERE 55 DEGREES AND RAINY. CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRES AND THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO REPAIR THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY VE…
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WHILE I WAS SLEEPING, A SECOND CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW UP AND DAMAGED THE DRIVERS SIDE QUARTER PANEL SEVERELY. THE EXPLOSION WOKE NEIGHBORS 2 STREETS OVER. MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 13 HOURS AND THE CONDITIONS WERE 55 DEGREES AND RAINY. CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRES AND THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO REPAIR THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DIDN'T SAVE THE BLOWN TIRE TO MAIL TO THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604314
55,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
TiresWheels
DRIVING DOWN 452 NORTH ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 8 AM, MY CONTINENTAL TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW UP AND CAUSE MODERATE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES FRONT QUARTER PANEL. HUSBAND CHANGED TO THE SPARE AND I WENT AND GOT IT FIXED AT RON'S DISCOUNT TIRES IN DELAWARE. TO BE CONTINUED ON ANOTHER INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED MAY 16TH. WHILE I WA…
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DRIVING DOWN 452 NORTH ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 8 AM, MY CONTINENTAL TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW UP AND CAUSE MODERATE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES FRONT QUARTER PANEL. HUSBAND CHANGED TO THE SPARE AND I WENT AND GOT IT FIXED AT RON'S DISCOUNT TIRES IN DELAWARE. TO BE CONTINUED ON ANOTHER INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED MAY 16TH. WHILE I WAS SLEEPING, A SECOND CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW UP AND DAMAGED THE DRIVERS SIDE QUARTER PANEL SEVERELY. THE EXPLOSION WOKE NEIGHBORS 2 STREETS OVER. MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 13 HOURS AND THE CONDITIONS WERE 55 DEGREES AND RAINY. CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRES AND THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO REPAIR THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DIDN'T SAVE THE BLOWN TIRE TO MAIL TO THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604311
141,000 miles · May 28, 2014
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING ME IN THE FACE, BREAKING MY EYE GLASSES AND COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WITH THE INFLATED AIR BAG. I SLOWED SOME BY GAUGING MY SPEED BY THE CARS NEXT TO ME (4 LANES OF TRAFFIC, 2 EACH DIRECTION). I KEPT PUSHING ON THE AIR BAG WITH ONE…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING ME IN THE FACE, BREAKING MY EYE GLASSES AND COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WITH THE INFLATED AIR BAG. I SLOWED SOME BY GAUGING MY SPEED BY THE CARS NEXT TO ME (4 LANES OF TRAFFIC, 2 EACH DIRECTION). I KEPT PUSHING ON THE AIR BAG WITH ONE HAND, TRYING TO DEFLATE IT QUICKER, SO THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE AIR BAG DEFLATED ENOUGH TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND PULL ASIDE. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO THE HORN AS IT WAS SHORTED OUT WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CONTINUED ON TO MY HOME. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY ISSUED A LETTER REQUESTING A DEALER TO REMOVE THE RCM AND SEND IT TO THEM. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A DEALER TO DO THIS. FORD NOW WANTS TO DO NO MORE. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE A LOT A PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM WITH THIS MODEL. I REMAINED CALM WHEN MINE WENT OFF AND AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE WHO STARTLES EASY, THIS COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594543
100,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP, FILTER AND THE SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE STALLING FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10585213
100,000 miles · Apr 12, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I CANNOT DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR. IT OCCURS AFTER AROUND 1 MILE OF DRIVING DURING THE FIRST TRIP OF THE DAY. IT HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST YEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND REQUIRED THAT I LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT WHICH I COULD NOT DO. TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY THAT I HAD TO…
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I CANNOT DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR. IT OCCURS AFTER AROUND 1 MILE OF DRIVING DURING THE FIRST TRIP OF THE DAY. IT HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST YEAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FORD BUT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND REQUIRED THAT I LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT WHICH I COULD NOT DO. TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10579345
53,121 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Power Train
CAR SURGED FORWARD AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL IT WITHOUT APPLYING BOTH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO GET IT HOME. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I THINK IT WAS THE THROTTLE. I COULD SEE WHERE THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I TRADED …
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CAR SURGED FORWARD AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL IT WITHOUT APPLYING BOTH THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME. WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO GET IT HOME. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I THINK IT WAS THE THROTTLE. I COULD SEE WHERE THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I TRADED IT IN AND PURCHASED A 2012 FORD ESCAPE THAT MY SON DRIVE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS OCCURRING IN THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577159
72,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH UPHILL, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD BANGING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH UPHILL, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD BANGING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568495
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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