NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
120 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 6, 2016
Service Brakes
I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE AS THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". MY FOOT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE TRUCK. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN TILL I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON AND REQUIRES A $ 6000 NEW HYDRAULIC CONTR…
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I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE AS THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". MY FOOT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE TRUCK. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN TILL I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON AND REQUIRES A $ 6000 NEW HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. ALSO I WAS TOLD THAT YOU STILL HAVE BRAKES JUST NED A LOT MORE PRESSURE. I'M NOT ONLY ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU LOSE ALL BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN NOW AND EVERY TIME I RESTART THE CAR IT GOES AWAY AND ALL WORKS WELL TILL NEXT TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10872815
115,412 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES. THE FAILURES INCLUDED THE LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, STABILITY CONTROL, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES. THE FAILURES INCLUDED THE LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, STABILITY CONTROL, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,412.
NHTSA ODI #10850818
123,000 miles · Mar 9, 2016
Service Brakes
ABS BREAK LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAYS RENEG BRAKES DISABLED. CAR BUCKED AND LOST BREAKING ABILITY. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS/HCU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $4,800.00. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AS IT CANNOT STOP SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOT…
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ABS BREAK LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAYS RENEG BRAKES DISABLED. CAR BUCKED AND LOST BREAKING ABILITY. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS/HCU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $4,800.00. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AS IT CANNOT STOP SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AT FORD, IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10845804
36,000 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemService BrakesCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY, AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY, AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT HELP, CLAIMING THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF VEHICULAR MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10789642
125,000 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Service Brakes
WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY MAKES A HARD STOP AND BRAKES; IT LOOSES BRAKES MOMENTARILY YET RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER 1) PUMPING SEVERAL TIMES OR 2) COOLING OFF . NO SIGNAL OR WARNINGS.
NHTSA ODI #10781384
87,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE WHETHER FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR ALREADY IN MOTION MY GAS PEDAL STICKS. I'M UNABLE TO PRESS IT DOWN AND I LOSE SPEED. EACH TIME I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL I HEAR A POP. I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND IT SUDDENLY WOULDN'T LET ME ACCELERATE FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS IS VERY DANG…
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WHEN I WOULD TRY TO ACCELERATE WHETHER FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR ALREADY IN MOTION MY GAS PEDAL STICKS. I'M UNABLE TO PRESS IT DOWN AND I LOSE SPEED. EACH TIME I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL I HEAR A POP. I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND IT SUDDENLY WOULDN'T LET ME ACCELERATE FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. IT ALSO DOES THIS IF I'M ALREADY IN MOTION OF IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY. I TAKE MY HUSBAND TO WORK AN HOUR AWAY, THIS IS TERRIFYING AND UNACCEPTABLE. I ALSO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN TO THEIR JOBS AND SCHOOLS. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #10764453
87,150 miles · Sep 7, 2015
Service Brakes
THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME, HOWEVER, AFTER INSPECTION BY THE GARAGE WE FOUND THE HCU WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE MASTER CYLINDER. TOTAL EXPENSE TO REPLACE WAS $7,000, THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH 6,000
NHTSA ODI #10761938
95,000 miles · Aug 9, 2015
Service Brakes
THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD INDICATING A PROBLEM. WHEN I GO TO STOP THERE IS THIS TRACKING RESISTANCE WHEN APPLY BRAKES. FORDS DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE RIGHT ABS RING IS CRACKED ON THE BRAKES. GOT FIXED, NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES, ONCE ON LEFT SIDE AND TWICE ON RIGHT SIDE. WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDE…
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THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON DASHBOARD INDICATING A PROBLEM. WHEN I GO TO STOP THERE IS THIS TRACKING RESISTANCE WHEN APPLY BRAKES. FORDS DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE RIGHT ABS RING IS CRACKED ON THE BRAKES. GOT FIXED, NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES, ONCE ON LEFT SIDE AND TWICE ON RIGHT SIDE. WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T WORK AND MAKE THIS TRACKING NOISE AS LIKE WHEN YOU ARE ON ICE. VERY SCARY, MY CAR NOW HAS 145,000 MILES THIS LAST TIME. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FORDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PART, MY SON SAYS THAT THE WATER GETS UP IN IT AND CAUSES IT TO RUST AND CRACK. I'M SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY FORD ESCAPE 2008 WITH THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10747301
84,000 miles · Mar 1, 2015
Service Brakes
THE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND ABS LIGHT ON ALSO. I DROVE IT AROUND THE CORNER AND BRAKES ARE VERY SPONGY AND NOT FULLY RESPONSIVE. I DO NOT TRUST DRIVING WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691356
70,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control
APPROXIMATELY IN MARCH OF 2014, WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND TRACTION CONTROL COMING ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS MADE DRIVING/STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THE TONE RING AND SPEED SENSOR WERE REPLACED. IN DECEMBER 2014, WE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES AND WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERS…
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APPROXIMATELY IN MARCH OF 2014, WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND TRACTION CONTROL COMING ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS MADE DRIVING/STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THE TONE RING AND SPEED SENSOR WERE REPLACED. IN DECEMBER 2014, WE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES AND WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A SPEED SENSOR ISSUE AGAIN. THE WORK WAS DONE AT THE INDEPENDENT SHOP THOUGH SINCE THEY DID THE ORIGINAL WORK. YET AGAIN, IN JANUARY 2015 WE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AGAIN AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP. THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE PROBLEM. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOME SORT OF FAILURE THAT IS OCCURRING TO TRIGGER THIS ISSUE. IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL. THIS IS CRATING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672526
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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