TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN CORRECTLY TO START THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT EVENTUALLY FAILED PERMANENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECCURED AFTER THE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN CORRECTLY TO START THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, BUT EVENTUALLY FAILED PERMANENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECCURED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
NHTSA ODI #10873410
165,400 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Engine
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT BECAME VISIBLE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. I REALIZED IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILING. …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT BECAME VISIBLE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. I REALIZED IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILING. I DROVE IT HOME AS I WAS ONLY A MILE FROM MY HOUSE. ONCE I STARTED IN FORWARD MOTION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, WHEN IT DID SHIFT, THERE WAS A FORCEFUL LUNGE FORWARD. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THIS AND MANY OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE GOING WRONG WITH FORD'S ESCAPE MODEL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, WITH THE AMOUNT OF ISSUES THAT SUV HAS.
NHTSA ODI #10853309
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2016
Engine
MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN SHUTS DOWN DUE TO A "MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT (MEC) PUMP" FAILURE, I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT FORD MOTOR CO HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED FMC THEY TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT "ACCORDING TO MY VIN MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL PROGRAM, MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST…
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MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN SHUTS DOWN DUE TO A "MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT (MEC) PUMP" FAILURE, I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT FORD MOTOR CO HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER WHEN I CALLED FMC THEY TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT "ACCORDING TO MY VIN MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL PROGRAM, MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND I'M GETTING WORRIED ABOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI #10846144
135,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT LUNGE FORWARD, WHICH IT HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY THE CAR STALLED, THEN LUNGE FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS SCARED THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS GOING TO HIT ME. PLEASE HELP ALL THE FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. …
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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT LUNGE FORWARD, WHICH IT HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDLE TO CONTINUE ON MY WAY THE CAR STALLED, THEN LUNGE FORWARD AGAIN. I WAS SCARED THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS GOING TO HIT ME. PLEASE HELP ALL THE FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALER, HOPING THEY CAN RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVEN'T HAD MY VEHICLE FOR A YEAR YET, JUST BROUGHT IT LAST YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10838913
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2016
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY LEAKING.
NHTSA ODI #10822294
70,000 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Engine
THE GAS PEDAL IS VERY HARD TO PUSH DOWN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. IT IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO CONTROL ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP.
NHTSA ODI #10820684
134,000 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND THE WRENCH INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE THR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND THE WRENCH INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10807986
100,000 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A DING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A DING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MECHANICAL PUMP ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10788578
159,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
EnginePower Train
WAS DIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN I HEARD A POP I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW AND WATCHED AS A SMALL PART WENT BOUNCING DOWN THE ROAD THAN IT SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR DRIVE IT STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I GOT OUT AND MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD GUSHED OUT ALL OVER THE BOTTO…
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WAS DIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN I HEARD A POP I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW AND WATCHED AS A SMALL PART WENT BOUNCING DOWN THE ROAD THAN IT SLOWED DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OR DRIVE IT STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I GOT OUT AND MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD GUSHED OUT ALL OVER THE BOTTOM AND BACK REAR WINDSHIELD TOOK IT TO A GARAGE IT IS THE TRANSMISSION IT NEEDS TO TOTALLY BE REPLACED I'M GUESSING THE TRANS COOLER WAS LEAKING FLUID AND AFTER THE FLUID WAS TO LOW THAT IT LITERALLY BLEW UP I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE HAS THE MOST COMPLAINTS THAN ANY OTHER YEAR IT'S INSAINE MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON A HILL IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH TWO LITTLE KIDS N THE CAR WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T GET SMASHED INTO BY SOMEONE THEY BETTER FIX THIS PROBLEM I SHOULD SUE FORD FOR SELLING FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS AND NOT FIXING THEM AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND AFTER ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE HAD WHY THE SAFETY COMICS ION OR THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY I'VE READ OVER 800 COMPLAINTS AND R STONE HAS BEEN THE. SAME THING WITH MY YEAR AND MOE IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THE TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED YOU GET ABOUT 24K TO 40K BEFORE YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN
NHTSA ODI #10732349
89,000 miles · May 23, 2015
Engine
WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER CLASS LET OUT, WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. I LOOKED INTO IT, TURN OUT MY SECOND & FOURTH GEAR WENT OUT ON MY TRANSMISSION. TURNS OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS & NOT EVEN AT 100,000 …
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WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER CLASS LET OUT, WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. I LOOKED INTO IT, TURN OUT MY SECOND & FOURTH GEAR WENT OUT ON MY TRANSMISSION. TURNS OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS & NOT EVEN AT 100,000 MILES! FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL, BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN THIS FREQUENTLY TO ALL THE 08' MODELS.
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.
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.
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
3
DP15001 · 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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