VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING BACK AND FORTH WHILE STOPPED. THEN STARTED WHILE DRIVING AT CITY AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SEVERAL TIMES THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VIN. WHEN I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALLBUT IT …
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VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING BACK AND FORTH WHILE STOPPED. THEN STARTED WHILE DRIVING AT CITY AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SEVERAL TIMES THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VIN. WHEN I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALLBUT IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED AND IS NO LONGER COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE PART THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED WAS NOT REPLACED. DUE TO THE ISSUES THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN ON THE ROAD. IT SEEMS THAT FORD IS ATTEMPTING TO SIDESTEP A SAFETY RECALL BY TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT THEY FIXED A FAULTY TORQUE SENSOR BY SIMPLY UPDATING THE SOFTWARE WHICH COSTS THEM NOTHING. THEN WHEN THE PART FAILS THEY TELL CUSTOMERS THE RECALL NO LONGER APPLIES BECAUSE THEY 'FIXED' THE PROBLEM. IM ATTEMPTING TO GET PAPERWORK FROM FORD BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER IT GOING IN FOR A RECALL IN THE FIRST PLACE. HOW DOES FORD NOT HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO REPLACE PARTS THAT THEY KNOW ARE FAULTY WHEN THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL? THE WHOLE POINT IS TO REMOVE THE PARTS FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE THEY FAIL AFTER IT IS DETERMINED THAT THEY WILL FAIL. THE RECALL IS 14S05.
NHTSA ODI #11083932
120,000 miles · Apr 8, 2018
Steering
VIBRATING STEERING COLUMN WHILE STILL AND DRIVING AND DASHBOARD ALERT STATING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" HAD A RECALL REPAIR REPAIR #14S05: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BY BOB MOORE FORD ON JULY 30, 2014. THEY PERFORMED AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE AND NOW MY POWER STEERING AND STEERING COLUMN ARE HAVING FURTHER ISSUES. FORD WILL NOT HON…
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VIBRATING STEERING COLUMN WHILE STILL AND DRIVING AND DASHBOARD ALERT STATING "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" HAD A RECALL REPAIR REPAIR #14S05: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BY BOB MOORE FORD ON JULY 30, 2014. THEY PERFORMED AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE AND NOW MY POWER STEERING AND STEERING COLUMN ARE HAVING FURTHER ISSUES. FORD WILL NOT HONOR AN ADDITIONAL RECALL REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11083840
107,000 miles · Apr 6, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND DURING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND DURING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND EXPLAINED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #11083596
85,000 miles · Apr 6, 2018
Steering
I HAVE NO POWER STEERING
NHTSA ODI #11083582
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2018
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL JUST STARTED SHAKING WHILE IN PARK AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WAS TOLD IT'S MY SENSOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN IF AND THAT FORD HAD TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED.
NHTSA ODI #11082222
153,000 miles · Mar 28, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARSITY LINCOLN (49251 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI 48376) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARSITY LINCOLN (49251 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI 48376) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA ODI #11081818
77,750 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Steering
MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A SIDE STREET ONTO A MAJOR CONNECTOR ROAD. STEERING FROZE WHEN TRYING TO TURN. WAS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF MAJOR ROAD. WAVED FOLLOWING CAR AROUND AND BACKED UP FURTHER FROM INTERSECTION SO AS NOT TO CREATE A HAZARD. WAS ABLE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY BUT WAS CLEARLY NOT DR…
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MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A SIDE STREET ONTO A MAJOR CONNECTOR ROAD. STEERING FROZE WHEN TRYING TO TURN. WAS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF MAJOR ROAD. WAVED FOLLOWING CAR AROUND AND BACKED UP FURTHER FROM INTERSECTION SO AS NOT TO CREATE A HAZARD. WAS ABLE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY BUT WAS CLEARLY NOT DRIVABLE AS IT WAS. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED FOR NO REASON. STEERING THEN WORKED.
NHTSA ODI #11081559
194,350 miles · Mar 26, 2018
Steering
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. ON SATURDAY MARCH 24,2018 MY MOM AND I WERE IN LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA AND HAD PARKED TO GO TO A BAKERY WHEN WE WENT IN AND CAME BACK OUT MY MOM SAID THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. I COULD OBVIOUSLY SEE HER STRUGGLING. I TRIED TO TURN IT AND IT WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFI…
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HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. ON SATURDAY MARCH 24,2018 MY MOM AND I WERE IN LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA AND HAD PARKED TO GO TO A BAKERY WHEN WE WENT IN AND CAME BACK OUT MY MOM SAID THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. I COULD OBVIOUSLY SEE HER STRUGGLING. I TRIED TO TURN IT AND IT WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WE HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP AND BRING IT TO MY HOUSE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, EXPLAINING TO THEM THE PROBLEM. THE LADY TOLD ME THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS UNDER THE RECALL FOR 2008-2011 FORD ESCAPE, THAT MY VIN NUMBER DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS UNDER IT. I ASKED HER TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE OVER HER AND SHE REFUSED SO I THEN HUNG UP ON HER. I CALLED BACK AND SPOKE TO ANOTHER PERSON, THIS PERSON THEN AFTER KEEPING ME ON HOLD FOR A LONG TIME, TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED ALREADY!!! I TOLD HER THAT'S NOT TRUE AND THEN HUNG UP ON HER. I DECIDED TO CALL BACK JUST TO SEE IF SOMEONE ELSE WAS GOING TO LIE TO ME. THIS THIRD PERSON THAT I SPOKE TO SAID PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING AS THE FIRST PERSON I SPOKE TO. WHY DID THIS LADY, LIE? ALL I KNOW IS MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE AND THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS VEHICLES ARE EXHIBITING, MINE IS AS WELL. WHY ITS NOT UNDER THE RECALL LIST, I DON'T KNOW. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR WRECK OR WORSE. I SHOULD HAVE TO GET INJURED OR KILLED FOR FORD TO REALIZE THAT THE FAULT IS ON THEM TO FIX WHAT THEY SO CALLED TAKE PRIDE IN (THEIR VEHICLES)
NHTSA ODI #11081245
90,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER (INTERSTATE FORD, 125 ALEXANDERSVILLE RD, MIAMISBURG, OH 45342) WAS CONTACT AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER (INTERSTATE FORD, 125 ALEXANDERSVILLE RD, MIAMISBURG, OH 45342) WAS CONTACT AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11081049
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2018
Steering
STEERING POWER ASSIST IS SHORTING OUT, I HAD IT TESTED AT A DEALERSHIP AND CONFIRMS IT , ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN, DOING RESEARCH THIS IS COMMON MALFUNCTION FOR 2008 TO 2011 FORD ESCAPE
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
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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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