NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
136 reportsClear category filter155,900 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE POWER CUT OUT TO THE VEHICLE, AND THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT VERY LABORED. AT THE SAME TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASH. USING THE FORWARD MOMENTUM I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, WHERE IT STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RE-TART THE ENGINE WHERE IT RAN LABORE…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE POWER CUT OUT TO THE VEHICLE, AND THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN BUT VERY LABORED. AT THE SAME TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASH. USING THE FORWARD MOMENTUM I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, WHERE IT STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RE-TART THE ENGINE WHERE IT RAN LABORED AGAIN, AND STALLED OUT, THE THROTTLE WAS NOT RESPONSIVE DURING THIS TIME AT ALL. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 RE-STARTS WITH THE LAST COMING AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT AWHILE, I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT AND DRIVE IT NORMAL. THROTTLE RESPONSE RETURNED, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS OFF. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED FOR MY WIFE AGAIN ON 11/12 WITH A SIMILAR RESULT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654736
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
AS I WAS EXITING A RAMP, THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING COMPLETELY. .FORCING ME TO PULL OVER, AS I CONTINUE ON IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN GAS IS PUSHED COMPLETELY DOWN. WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON BUT LEAVES WHEN CAR IS OFF. DRIVING APROX. 3 BLOCKS BEFORE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648468
99,812 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN A LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. IT STATED POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT. MY STEERING WAS OK AT THE TIME. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY STREET. I STRUGGLED TO TURN THE WHEEL ONTO MY STREET AND INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE TO…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN A LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. IT STATED POWER STEERING ASSIST DEFAULT. MY STEERING WAS OK AT THE TIME. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY STREET. I STRUGGLED TO TURN THE WHEEL ONTO MY STREET AND INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE SENSOR. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL IN MAY, 2014. THE RECALL WAS STOPPED. I DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE ABOUT THIS. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AROUND 100,000 MILES AND THE TORQUE SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY OR GOING VERY FAST WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638425
93,000 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10618732
60,000 miles · Jul 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T START MY CAR. SINCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING MY KEY IN FURTHER AND FURTHER TO TRY TO GET MY CAR TO START. SOMETIMES IT TAKE 10-15 MIN BEFORE I CAN ACTUALLY GET IT STARTED. READING COMMENTS ABOUT THE CAR THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD …
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I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T START MY CAR. SINCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO I HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING MY KEY IN FURTHER AND FURTHER TO TRY TO GET MY CAR TO START. SOMETIMES IT TAKE 10-15 MIN BEFORE I CAN ACTUALLY GET IT STARTED. READING COMMENTS ABOUT THE CAR THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DONE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616621
6,789,337 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Electrical System
WHEN TRYING TO START THE IGNITION, IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO PUSH IN WITH THE KEY AND TRY THIS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WILL CRANK.IF I NEED TO BE IN A HURRY,I CAN'T,BECAUSE IT TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO GET CRANK.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616139
165,000 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
FOR ALMOST A YEAR, TO START MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH KEY IN VERY FIRMLY, THEN TURN. FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH NOW, I HAVE TO PUSH IN, THEN JIGGLE IN AND OUT UNTIL IT CONNECTS AND STARTS CAR. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5 MINUTES TO FIND THE CONNECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING COME…
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FOR ALMOST A YEAR, TO START MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH KEY IN VERY FIRMLY, THEN TURN. FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH NOW, I HAVE TO PUSH IN, THEN JIGGLE IN AND OUT UNTIL IT CONNECTS AND STARTS CAR. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5 MINUTES TO FIND THE CONNECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES - USUALLY NONE) WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS ALSO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598018
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE RADIO ALSO FAILED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A REDUCTION IN POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, FRONT AXLE AND BATTERY WERE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE RADIO ALSO FAILED AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A REDUCTION IN POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, FRONT AXLE AND BATTERY WERE ALL REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10594183
106,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS THE ABS LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SLOWLY LOSING POWER. WHEN WHEELS WERE STRAIGHTENED AGAIN IT RAN AS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE, EACH TIME WHEN I WAS TURNING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WAS DIMMING AND THE GAS PEDAL LOST ABILITY TO PROPEL C…
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WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS THE ABS LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE SLOWLY LOSING POWER. WHEN WHEELS WERE STRAIGHTENED AGAIN IT RAN AS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE, EACH TIME WHEN I WAS TURNING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WAS DIMMING AND THE GAS PEDAL LOST ABILITY TO PROPEL CAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10585380
152,100 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
AT FIRST THE POWER STEERING DIDNOT WORK UPON STARTING CAR, RESTARTED AND IT WORKED. AS TIME WENT ON THIS GOT WORSE, HAVING TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW ONCE POWER STEERING WORKS IT WILL GO OFF ANYTIME EVEN JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO WHEN POWER STEERING IS WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THIS SHOULD BE A RE…
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AT FIRST THE POWER STEERING DIDNOT WORK UPON STARTING CAR, RESTARTED AND IT WORKED. AS TIME WENT ON THIS GOT WORSE, HAVING TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW ONCE POWER STEERING WORKS IT WILL GO OFF ANYTIME EVEN JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO WHEN POWER STEERING IS WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS THAT FORD HAS OFFERED A TORQUE SENSOR KIT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10579058
Official recalls
3Sep 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.
May 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
DP12006 · 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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