TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT IMPROPERLY. THERE WERE INTERMITTENT HARSH SHIFTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT IMPROPERLY. THERE WERE INTERMITTENT HARSH SHIFTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
NHTSA ODI #10259680
41,000 miles · Feb 21, 2009
Power Train
WE BOUGHT THE ESCAPE IN MARCH 2008 WITH 17,000 MILES AND NOW HAVE 41,000 MILES. THE OTHER DAY IT STARTED TO NOT SHIFT RIGHT SO WE CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND SAW THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS VERY LOW. WE FILLED IT AND IT STILL WASN'T REGISTERING AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. DEALER SAID THERE IS A SLOW LEAK AND WE WOULD H…
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WE BOUGHT THE ESCAPE IN MARCH 2008 WITH 17,000 MILES AND NOW HAVE 41,000 MILES. THE OTHER DAY IT STARTED TO NOT SHIFT RIGHT SO WE CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND SAW THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS VERY LOW. WE FILLED IT AND IT STILL WASN'T REGISTERING AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. DEALER SAID THERE IS A SLOW LEAK AND WE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT AT OUR COST BECAUSE WE'RE OVER THE 35,000 MILE WARRANTY. SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THAT THE LEAK MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE STARTED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT COULD NOT GO BACK. CALLED FORD AND GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM. DID RESEARCH LAST NIGHT AND SAW ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ALONG WITH THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HEADING BACK TO THE DEALER THIS MORNING TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE TSB. THE VEHICLE WILL SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY UNTIL FORD OR THE DEALER STEPS UP AND PAYS FOR THIS. FORD KNOWS IT'S A DEFECT SO WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO SPEND THE ESTIMATED $800 TO CORRECT IT. HOPING THEY END UP RECALLING THIS TO SAVE OTHER CONSUMERS THE HASSLE WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259518
26,408 miles · Feb 19, 2009
Power Train
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO EARLIER COMPLAINT #10256871 DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DO REPAIRS TO VEHICLE AT EARLIER DATE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW QUIT MOVING IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC REQUIRING IT BE TOWED. DEALER NOW REPLACED ENTIRE TRANSMISSION DUE TO COMPLETE INTERNAL FAILURE WHICH APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY LACK OF LU…
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THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO EARLIER COMPLAINT #10256871 DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DO REPAIRS TO VEHICLE AT EARLIER DATE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW QUIT MOVING IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC REQUIRING IT BE TOWED. DEALER NOW REPLACED ENTIRE TRANSMISSION DUE TO COMPLETE INTERNAL FAILURE WHICH APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY LACK OF LUBRICATION TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS. DEALER COMMENTED THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A COOLER RELATED DESIGN PROBLEM, WHICH RESTRICTS FLUID FLOW IN COLD CLIMATES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259339
15,561 miles · Feb 16, 2009
Power Train
HAVE A 2008 ESCAPE WITH 15,500 MILES AND IT BEGAN SHIFTING HARD. TOOK A SHORT TRIP AND PROBLEM WORSENED. HUSBAND NOTED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING, RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED REPLACED. STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THERE WAS NO COST TO ME OTHER THAN A DAY WITHOUT MY VEH…
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HAVE A 2008 ESCAPE WITH 15,500 MILES AND IT BEGAN SHIFTING HARD. TOOK A SHORT TRIP AND PROBLEM WORSENED. HUSBAND NOTED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING, RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED REPLACED. STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THERE WAS NO COST TO ME OTHER THAN A DAY WITHOUT MY VEHICLE AND SHOP WAS EXCELLENT IN CLEANING MY VEHICLE FROM ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SPLATTERS. GREAT SERVICE BUT THIS PROBLEM ON SO MANY OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258757
16,650 miles · Feb 13, 2009
Power Train
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IS CURRENTLY AT 16000 MILES AND I HAVE NOTICED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING. THEN WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL BUT DOESN'T. HOWEVER, WHEN THEN GOING INTO DRIVE MY CAR HAS STALLED 4 TIMES. I TOOK IT TODAY AND THAT WAS THE SECOND CAR TODAY BROUGHT I…
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MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE IS CURRENTLY AT 16000 MILES AND I HAVE NOTICED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING. THEN WHEN I PUT IT INTO REVERSE, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL BUT DOESN'T. HOWEVER, WHEN THEN GOING INTO DRIVE MY CAR HAS STALLED 4 TIMES. I TOOK IT TODAY AND THAT WAS THE SECOND CAR TODAY BROUGHT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY AUTOMATICALLY SAID IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS AND GOT ME A RENTAL CAR TILL TUESDAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258569
40,000 miles · Feb 2, 2009
Power Train
I BROUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER NOTICING IT WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID TOWARD THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE OF THE CAR. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH NEEDING A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AT A TOTAL COST OF $1,142. MY ESCAPE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2007 AND HAS JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY HAD J…
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I BROUGHT MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER NOTICING IT WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID TOWARD THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE OF THE CAR. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH NEEDING A REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AT A TOTAL COST OF $1,142. MY ESCAPE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2007 AND HAS JUST GONE OUT OF WARRANTY HAD JUST OVER 40,000 MILES WHEN FLUID STARTED LEAKING. TSB 08-5-7 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. DEALERSHIP OFFERED 60 (FORD)/40 (ME) SPLIT OF COST, BUT I THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS ADMITTEDLY A DESIGN FLAW. I'VE ALSO READ OF MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE. FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257233
27,100 miles · Jan 29, 2009
Power Train
VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AFTER DRIVING ABOUT TEN MILES. SUB ZERO WEATHER, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HEATED GARAGE. IT WORKED OK OUT OF GARAGE, AFTER DRIVEN FOR THE TEN MILES REVERSE SLIPPED BADLY. POWERTRAIN LIGHT ON DEALER CHECKED FOR CODES AND CODE READ AS UNKNOWN PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION NOW HAS DELAYED ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERS…
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VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AFTER DRIVING ABOUT TEN MILES. SUB ZERO WEATHER, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HEATED GARAGE. IT WORKED OK OUT OF GARAGE, AFTER DRIVEN FOR THE TEN MILES REVERSE SLIPPED BADLY. POWERTRAIN LIGHT ON DEALER CHECKED FOR CODES AND CODE READ AS UNKNOWN PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION NOW HAS DELAYED ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE. DEALER CHECKED FLUID AND IT IS BURNT, AGAIN NO KNOWN CODES YET LIGHT IS STILL ON. VEHICLE IS 4 CYLINDER WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256871
48,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Power Train
TOTAL TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE AT 48,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256671
33,000 miles · Jan 23, 2009
Power Train
I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE THAT I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WHEN PUT INTO REV. IT WOULD SLIP AND OR CHATTER. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED TO ME THAT THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DO WHAT IT DID FOR ME. THIS HAPPEN FOR A FEW DAYS. IT STARTED TO DO IT WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE AND AFTER DRIVING IT. I HAVE 333…
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I HAVE A 2008 FORD ESCAPE THAT I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WHEN PUT INTO REV. IT WOULD SLIP AND OR CHATTER. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED TO ME THAT THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO DO WHAT IT DID FOR ME. THIS HAPPEN FOR A FEW DAYS. IT STARTED TO DO IT WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE AND AFTER DRIVING IT. I HAVE 333000 MILES ON IT AND DO A LOT OF OUT OF TOWN DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED BEFORE IT LEAVES ME STRANDED OUT OF TOWN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD IT FOR A WEEK NOW AND STILL CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO CODE SET FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256083
13,500 miles · Jan 21, 2009
Power Train
THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DOES NOT WANT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN IT IS PUT INTO REVERSE. THE WHOLE VEHICLE IS "CHUGS" OR SHAKES WHEN IT IS REVERSING AT SLOW SPEEDS. HAS BECOME WORSE WITH TIME. VEHICLE PURCHASED MAY 2008 AND HAS 14,000KM. CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. *TR
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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