IllustrationSUDDEN ONSET OF STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, DIFFICULTY TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, WHILE TURNING RIGHT STEERING STOPPED TWICE.
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
What owners actually said
1,974 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY AND THEY DID NOT STATE FOR THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN ONCE THE FAILURE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND CLEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY AND THEY DID NOT STATE FOR THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN ONCE THE FAILURE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND CLEARED THE RECALL OUT AS A COMPLETED REPAIR. THE CONTACT LATER EXPERIENCED THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 04/20/17 *LJ *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARED AS A DIGITAL READ OUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE BELIEVING IT TO BE A 'RESET' ISSUE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, UPON BACKING UP THESE LI…
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THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARED AS A DIGITAL READ OUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE BELIEVING IT TO BE A 'RESET' ISSUE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, UPON BACKING UP THESE LIGHTS APPEARED AGAIN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED ABS SELFTEST AND GOT CODE C1313-AO AND U2023-A0. THE CODES INDICATED THAT THE HCU (HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $5,900.00 REPAIR COST TO REPLACE HCU SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT CAUTION US TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AND WE REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT SAFE DRIVING. HE SAID, "THE BRAKES WILL GET MUSHY AND WE WILL EVENTUALLY LOSING BRAKING POWER." CHECKED FORD WEBSITE TO DETERMINE WHETHER A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAD BEEN POSTED. NO RECALL BY FORD NOTED AT THIS TIME. A REVIEW OF ONLINE POSTS INDICATES THAT MANY ESCAPE HYBRID OWNERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HIGHWAY SAFETY IS CONCERNING TO OWNERS. *TR
TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR HAS A COUPLE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. WHILE PARKED AND IDLING THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES ON ITS OWN, YOU HAVE TO FIND THE RIGHT LOCATION AND HOLD IT THERE FOR THE TWITCHING TO STOP. WHEN IDLING I CAN HOLD THE SW OFF OF CENTER AND THE TWITCHING WILL ABATE FOR SHORT PERIODS, LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. WHILE …
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TAKATA RECALL: MY CAR HAS A COUPLE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. WHILE PARKED AND IDLING THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES ON ITS OWN, YOU HAVE TO FIND THE RIGHT LOCATION AND HOLD IT THERE FOR THE TWITCHING TO STOP. WHEN IDLING I CAN HOLD THE SW OFF OF CENTER AND THE TWITCHING WILL ABATE FOR SHORT PERIODS, LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. WHILE DRIVING STREETS FROM 30-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO TWITCHES INTERMITTENTLY, PERCEPTIBLE TO TOUCH AND HAS STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY. NO NOTED SQUEALING OR JERKING NOTED ON FULL WHEEL TURN TO RIGHT OR LEFT. *TR
CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS THE KEY IS FORCIBLY INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THIS HAS TO BE DONE SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN EXITING THE CAR, IT WILL DING TO ALERT THE DRIVER THAT THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE IGNITION BUT THE KEY HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION.
I TOOK MY CAR IN WHEN THE RECALL 14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284 WAS RECEIVED AND THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED THE APPROPRIATE MODULES TO PREVENT LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO A TORQUE SENSOR FAULT. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I WAS NOT HAVING ANY STEERING PROBLEMS, SO I FELT THE MODULE UPDATES WERE TO FIX ANY STEERING PROBLEMS. AS OF JAN 4, 201…
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I TOOK MY CAR IN WHEN THE RECALL 14S05/NHTSA RECALL 14V-284 WAS RECEIVED AND THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED THE APPROPRIATE MODULES TO PREVENT LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO A TORQUE SENSOR FAULT. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I WAS NOT HAVING ANY STEERING PROBLEMS, SO I FELT THE MODULE UPDATES WERE TO FIX ANY STEERING PROBLEMS. AS OF JAN 4, 2017, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING WHILE IN IDLE. I DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH SHOWED THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WAS BAD AND THEY WILL BE GETTING ME AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THE PART ITSELF IS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE, BUT THE LABOR IS INTENSE. I FEEL FORD HAS TAKEN THE EASY WAY OUT OF FIXING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORD CARS, BUT AFTER THIS COSTLY MANUFACTURING DEFECT I MAY SWITCH TO ANOTHER MAKE OF CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT A MODERATE SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT A MODERATE SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE ELAPSED TIME PERIOD BETWEEN THE FAILURE AND THE INITIAL REPAIR, THE COST WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 133,000. .....UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF UPDATED 08/11/2017 *JS
WHILE STARTING THE CAR THE WHEEL STARTED SHAKING, YOU CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE...WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE WHEEL SHAKES NON STOP AND THE NOISE CONTINUES, FOLLOWED BY A CODE SAYING (POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT). IT'S GETTING WORSE THE MORE WE DRIVE IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ UPDATED 12/04/2017*JS
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