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
What owners actually said
1,974 reports
190,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE "NEED SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE "NEED SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA ODI #11119863
62,000 miles · Aug 10, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #11118981
99,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Structure
WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY STREET....THE BACK DRIVER-SIDE LIFT GATE HINGE CRACKED IN HALF AND MY GLASS WINDOW WAS HANGING BY A THREAD. SUPER DANGEROUS TO OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. LUCKILY IT DID NOT FALL TO THE ROAD AND SHATTER, OR FLY OFF THE VEHICLE HITTING SOMEONE, OR THING, OR CAR. THIS IS NOT A MATTER…
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WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY STREET....THE BACK DRIVER-SIDE LIFT GATE HINGE CRACKED IN HALF AND MY GLASS WINDOW WAS HANGING BY A THREAD. SUPER DANGEROUS TO OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. LUCKILY IT DID NOT FALL TO THE ROAD AND SHATTER, OR FLY OFF THE VEHICLE HITTING SOMEONE, OR THING, OR CAR. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR/ CORROSION. OTHER VEHICLES 'YOUNGER' THAN MINE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE! SHAME ON THEM! DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE AN ACTION IS TAKEN? EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. AND STRESS AND WORRY WHILE DRIVING WITH THE BACK WINDOW LITERALLY FLAPPING IN THE WIND! WTF? AGAIN. THANK GOD IT DIDN'T CAUSE DAMAGE TO SOMEONE OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. I REALLY PRAY THIS CAN BECOME A RECALL ITEM, BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED! OMG! AWAITING REIMBURSEMENT IN OHIO!
NHTSA ODI #11118489
106,000 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Electrical System
MY KEY FOB UNLOCKED THE CAR, AS USUAL, PUT CHILD IN. GOT IN DRIVERS SIDE. PUT KEY IN IGNITION. ALL LOCKS LOCKED! CAR DID NOT START. I HIT KEY FOB AND THE PAD TO UNLOCK SEVERAL TIMES... UNLOCKED MY DOOR... I ASSUMED ALL DOORS. WOULD NOT OPEN DOOR WHERE DAUGHTER WAS IN CAR SEAT IN BACK (BACK PASSENGER SIDE). KEY FOB OR DOOR UNLOCK…
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MY KEY FOB UNLOCKED THE CAR, AS USUAL, PUT CHILD IN. GOT IN DRIVERS SIDE. PUT KEY IN IGNITION. ALL LOCKS LOCKED! CAR DID NOT START. I HIT KEY FOB AND THE PAD TO UNLOCK SEVERAL TIMES... UNLOCKED MY DOOR... I ASSUMED ALL DOORS. WOULD NOT OPEN DOOR WHERE DAUGHTER WAS IN CAR SEAT IN BACK (BACK PASSENGER SIDE). KEY FOB OR DOOR UNLOCK WOULD NOT WORK TO UNLOCK IT. KEY FOB DID NOT WORK AT ALL AFTER THAT FIRST TIME AND DID NOT UNLOCK HER SIDE. I GOT HER OUT ON DRIVER'S SIDE BACKSEAT. WE HAVE VIDEO SURVEILLENCE SO INCIDENT SHOULD BE ON THERE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. END OF 100' DRIVEWAY. NO NEIGHBORS IN SIGHT. TERRIFYING TO THINK IF THE KEY FOB HADNT OPENED MY DOOR THAT LAST AND APPARENTLY ONE AND ONLY TIME, IF ID BE STUCK IN HOT CAR WITH DAUGHTER IN BACK SEAT.
NHTSA ODI #11115148
72,000 miles · Jul 31, 2018
Steering
LOST MY POWER STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ALMOST ROLLED AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD I S SIMPLY DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BADLY HURT OR KILLED. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL 14S05 ON JAN. 1ST 2018. THEY SIMPLY DID A CO…
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LOST MY POWER STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ALMOST ROLLED AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND FORD I S SIMPLY DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS BADLY HURT OR KILLED. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL 14S05 ON JAN. 1ST 2018. THEY SIMPLY DID A COMPUTER UPDATE AND THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11115035
290,000 miles · Jul 29, 2018
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS AND IT COULD'VE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF I HAD NOT BEEN CAUTIOUS OR STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. IT COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AT TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11114407
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control
WENT TO ACCELERATE AND GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND STAYED THERE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BROKEN THROTTLE CABLE AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $300.
NHTSA ODI #11114171
135,000 miles · Jul 25, 2018
Service BrakesCrash
MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WOULD NOT STOP WITH BOTH FEET PUSHING TO THE FLOOR. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REGEN BRAKE DISABLED AS MY CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE FOR BOTH ME AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I'M ALSO A BIKER AND I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ON A BIKE OR A PEDESTRIAN. THIS IS VERY SCAR…
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MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WOULD NOT STOP WITH BOTH FEET PUSHING TO THE FLOOR. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REGEN BRAKE DISABLED AS MY CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE FOR BOTH ME AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I'M ALSO A BIKER AND I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE ON A BIKE OR A PEDESTRIAN. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND THE FACT THAT I WAS UNAWARE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND WHY. I HAVE FOUR FORDS AND NOW I'M CONCERNED TO DRIVE THEM.
NHTSA ODI #11113696
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2018
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER. IT FEELS LIKE THE PARKING BRAKE IS ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PROCEED
NHTSA ODI #11113408
55,000 miles · Jul 22, 2018
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE, WHEN THE VEHICAL JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE RPM WOULD CLIMB, BUT THE VEHICAL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICAL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED IF I TURNED THE VEHICAL OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, IT WOULD MOVE UNTIL …
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE, WHEN THE VEHICAL JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE RPM WOULD CLIMB, BUT THE VEHICAL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICAL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED IF I TURNED THE VEHICAL OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, IT WOULD MOVE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO 3RD GEAR AFTER THAT IT WOULD JUST REV UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I LIMPED IT THE 5 MILES TO HOME AND PARKED IT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICAL. SOMETHING REALLY SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. IT IS SAD THAT SO MANY OF THESE HAVE LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND ARE HAVING MAJOR POWER TRAIN ISSUES. MY 2008 FORD ESCAPE ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES.
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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