IllustrationVEHICLE POWER TRAIN LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER THEN LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT A SHOULDER. VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED TO MAX 20MPH.
2008 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
18725–50K
21950–75K
32675–100K
577100–150K
291150K+
1,714 reports with mileage · 260 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 1,127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 329 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 175 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
59 crash reports6 fire reports36 injury reports
Power Train complaints
329 reportsTRUCK IS ACCELERATING AND SWITCHING GEARS ON ITS OWN. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT , A WRENCH LIGHT POPS ON AND THE TRUCK BEGINS TO SWITCH GEARS. ONCE THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF, THE WRENCH LIGHT GOES AWAY BUT RETURNS AFTER DRIVING BEGINS AGAIN. TRUCK IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER WHEN DRIVING AS IF IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. THERE ARE AL…
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TRUCK IS ACCELERATING AND SWITCHING GEARS ON ITS OWN. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT , A WRENCH LIGHT POPS ON AND THE TRUCK BEGINS TO SWITCH GEARS. ONCE THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF, THE WRENCH LIGHT GOES AWAY BUT RETURNS AFTER DRIVING BEGINS AGAIN. TRUCK IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER WHEN DRIVING AS IF IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. THERE ARE ALSO JERKING MOTIONS WHILE DRIVING.
THE MECS COOLANT PUMP FAILS WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE DC-DC INVERTER AND HYBRID DRIVETRAIN TO INSTANTLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AT INTERSTATE SPEED. YOU GET THE RED TRIANGLE AND STOP SAFELY NOW WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF LEAVING YOU TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF THE INTERSTATE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. YOU MUST COMPLETELY STOP AN…
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THE MECS COOLANT PUMP FAILS WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE DC-DC INVERTER AND HYBRID DRIVETRAIN TO INSTANTLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AT INTERSTATE SPEED. YOU GET THE RED TRIANGLE AND STOP SAFELY NOW WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF LEAVING YOU TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF THE INTERSTATE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. YOU MUST COMPLETELY STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK BEFORE THE CAR WILL RESTART. THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT HAZARD TO LIFE AND LIMB THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. ONLINE IT SAYS THEY RECALLED THEM BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY DID NOT RECALL THEM. IF YOU TOUCH THE BRAKE WITH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN THE CAR COMES TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP AUTOMATICALLY IN 3 SECONDS. LEAVING THE INTERSTATE TRAFFIC TO VEER AROUND YOU. MINE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY LAST SUMMER. NOW EVERY HOT DAY THE CAR JUST TURNS OFF ON THE INTERSTATE 5-6 TIMES A DAY. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED OVER THIS. IT NEEDS AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO AVERT A LOSS OF LIFE. I CHECKED MY COOLANT PUMP AND IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE RECALL I SEE SAYS THEY ARE REMOVING THE DORMAN BRUSH ROTOR PUMPS AND REPLACING THEM WITH BOSCH BRUSHLESS ROTOR PUMPS. THE HYBRID DRIVE ONLY FAILS AT INTERSTATE SPEED WHEN IT IS A WARM DAY. THE CAR STARTED DOING IT LAST SUMMER WHEN IT HAD 70000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NO LONGER INTERMITTENT BUT OCCURS DAILY NOW.
WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE RACED TO OVER 4K RPMS AND THE CAR WAS BARELY AT 20 MPH. NO ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT ON THE DASH. RPMS RANDOMLY FLUCTUATED AND ONLY AFTER REACHING 3,500 RPMS WOULD THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEARS. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE WRENCH …
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WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE RACED TO OVER 4K RPMS AND THE CAR WAS BARELY AT 20 MPH. NO ACCELERATION AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT ON THE DASH. RPMS RANDOMLY FLUCTUATED AND ONLY AFTER REACHING 3,500 RPMS WOULD THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEARS. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE WRENCH LIGHT IS GONE BUT RETURNS AFTER A MINUTE. 105,000 MILES.
I NOTICE ABOUT A WEEK AGO THAT A WRENCH LIGHT SIGNAL CAME ON MY DASH. I CHECKED MY OWNERS MANUAL AND GOOGLE THE INFORMATION AND THEN I CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I CAN FEEL MY CAR DOING A PULL WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN ON THE FREEWAY I AM NOT GETTING NOT POWER IT SEEMS LIKE I AM MOVING SLOWER THAN WHAT MY SPEEDO…
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I NOTICE ABOUT A WEEK AGO THAT A WRENCH LIGHT SIGNAL CAME ON MY DASH. I CHECKED MY OWNERS MANUAL AND GOOGLE THE INFORMATION AND THEN I CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I CAN FEEL MY CAR DOING A PULL WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN ON THE FREEWAY I AM NOT GETTING NOT POWER IT SEEMS LIKE I AM MOVING SLOWER THAN WHAT MY SPEEDOMETER SAYS, I SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER. I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW CENTAIN VIN # AN BE EXCLUDED FROM A RECALL BUT YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPEN ABOUT 1YEAR AGO TO MY POWER STEERING THERE WERE RECALLS BUT NOT FOR MY VIN. I WAS OUT $1000.00 . NOW I HAVE I HAVE GET THIS FIXED AND MY MECHANIC CAN NOT DO IT BECAUSE HE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT YOU NEED A COMPUTER AND I NEED TO TAKE BACK TO FORD WHICH IS GOING TO COST AND ARM AND A LEG. I AM SO DONE WITH FORD I HAVE ALWAYS HAD FORD CARS/TRUCKS BUT I AM AT MY END WITH THEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,888. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
A WRENCH WARNING SIGN.
TRANSMISSION - THE SERVICE WRENCH DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHIFT BADLY. A QUICK TRIP TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER INDICATES THAT GEARS 2 & 4 NEED TO BE REPLACED (AT 71,000 MILES). FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE POSTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE …
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TRANSMISSION - THE SERVICE WRENCH DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHIFT BADLY. A QUICK TRIP TO THE FORD SERVICE CENTER INDICATES THAT GEARS 2 & 4 NEED TO BE REPLACED (AT 71,000 MILES). FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE POSTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED TO A WARRANTY RECALL AS IT DOES EFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.
2008 FORD ESCAPE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE MAKING TURN INTO TRAFFIC. EXAMINATION REVEALED SIGNIFICANT LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER RESULTING IN "SLIPPAGE" OF TRANSMISSION. INVESTIGATION OF ISSUE FOUND THAT LEAKAGE WAS A CRACKED TUBE AT RIGHT HAND MOUNTING BRACKET OF TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER. THI…
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2008 FORD ESCAPE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE MAKING TURN INTO TRAFFIC. EXAMINATION REVEALED SIGNIFICANT LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER RESULTING IN "SLIPPAGE" OF TRANSMISSION. INVESTIGATION OF ISSUE FOUND THAT LEAKAGE WAS A CRACKED TUBE AT RIGHT HAND MOUNTING BRACKET OF TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER. THIS CONDITION IS COVERED BY FORD CSP 09B10, BUT HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR MITIGATION BY PREVIOUS OWNER. FORD HAS EXPIRED CSP 09B10 AS OF AUGUST 2010, EVEN THOUGH THE CONDITION APPEARS TO BE A CERTAINTY (BASED ON ABUNDANT INTERNET COMMENTARY) RELATIVELY EARLY IN MILEAGE LIFE OF VEHICLE (MY ESCAPE HAS VERY MODERATE MILEAGE). RAPID AND UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE RECALL AS OPPOSED TO A "FIX-IT" BULLETIN. FORD HAS INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE REMEDIATION OF THIS PROBLEM.
WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS ON LOWER LEFT DASH. CAR HAS A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING INTO GEAR. SLOW TO ENGAGE, THOUGH HIGH RPM. HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION. OR TAKING OFF FROM A STOP.
Official recalls
315V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 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.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
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.
14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
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