TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #10761360
68,655 miles · Sep 1, 2015
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILURE: FOLLOWING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (14 AUG 2015) THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS WHEREBY I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN AND HAD TO REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING. NINE MONTHS AGO ( 10 DEC 2014) I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT FORD'S EXPENSE FOR THEIR RECALL 14S05 THAT RELATED TO THEIR "ELE…
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POWER STEERING FAILURE: FOLLOWING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (14 AUG 2015) THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS WHEREBY I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN AND HAD TO REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING. NINE MONTHS AGO ( 10 DEC 2014) I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT FORD'S EXPENSE FOR THEIR RECALL 14S05 THAT RELATED TO THEIR "ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING" DEFECT WHICH ONLY AMOUNTED TO A COMPUTER CODE REPROGRAM. THEN ON AUGUST 26, 2015, AFTER SEVERAL MORE FAILURES, I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IN WHICH CASE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND THE HOUSING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE WHICH I DIDN'T THINK WAS FAIR. RECALL 14S05, TO ME, WAS A QUICK FIX WHICH DID NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE FORD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE WHICH WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE. I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL CONCERNING THIS DEFECT SINCE I HAVE READ MANY MORE COMPLAINTS (SAME PROBLEM) FROM OTHER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND IF SO, QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME *TR
NHTSA ODI #10760787
105,123 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Steering
IN FEBRUARY OF 2015 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO AL PIEMONTE'S ARLINGTON HEIGHTS FORD IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS BECAUSE OUR POWER STEERING HAD BEEN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED A COMPUTER UPDATE RELATING TO RECALL 14S05. LAST WEEKEND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND NEVER CAME BACK ON…
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IN FEBRUARY OF 2015 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO AL PIEMONTE'S ARLINGTON HEIGHTS FORD IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS BECAUSE OUR POWER STEERING HAD BEEN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED A COMPUTER UPDATE RELATING TO RECALL 14S05. LAST WEEKEND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND NEVER CAME BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO INDICATOR LIGHT OR SOUND AS REFERENCED IN RECALL 14S05. I RELUCTANTLY DROVE IT INTO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, GOLF MILL FORD IN NILES, ILLINOIS. TO BE PROACTIVE, I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AT 800-392-3673 AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY CREATED A "CASE FOR ME" AND SAID TO WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP. HE CALLED ME LAST EVENING AND SAID THAT FORD WON'T HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN "CLEARED" AND THEY WOULDN'T COVER ANY PORTION OF THE REPAIR WHICH WILL BE AROUND $1200 (TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY). I'VE HAD TO GET A RENTAL VEHICLE AS WELL. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE LAST NIGHT AND ASKED HOW THEY MADE THAT DECISION. THE AGENT SAID IT WAS THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT BUT THEY ONLY WILL SPEAK WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I ASKED FOR A SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER AND THEY SAID NO WAS WAS AVAILABLE. I ASKED IF I COULD GET A CALL BACK FROM ONE AND THE AGENT SAID HIS SYSTEM WENT DOWN SO THERE WAS NOWHERE TO SAVE THE INFORMATION. TODAY I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AGAIN AND EXPLAINED IN DETAIL SPECIFICALLY THAT IF I HADNT BROUGHT IT IN BACK IN FEBRUARY THEY WOULD BE HONORING THIS RECALL. ALSO THE UPDATE DONE IN FEBRUARY DID NOT EVEN WORK.THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT OR SOUND WHEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10749868
54,342 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Steering
TL* TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (POWER STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,342. THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ANYWAY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED, EVEN THOUGH HE WASN'T EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, A YEAR LATER, THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO CHIMES OR TROUBLE LIGHTS BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY DISPLAYING TROUBLE CODE B1342. THE CONSUMER REMINDED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS BEING RECALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY LOOKED AT, DURING THE TIME OF THE RECALL. THE COST TO FIX THE VEHICLE WAS $1327.90
NHTSA ODI #10732206
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT INDICATE IF THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) AND THE INSTRUMEN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT INDICATE IF THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED FOR THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE NOR DID THEY SPECIFY IF THE TORQUE SENSOR SIGNAL HAD A FAILURE. MONTHS LATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10731208
100,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, WHICH RESET THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, WHICH RESET THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A NEW STEERING COLUMN WAS INSTALLED ON 6/11/15. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 11/24/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10722888
21,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Steering
I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE POWER STEERING CALIBRATION UPDATE IN MARCH 2015. IN MAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MUDDY ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. I WAS ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD NEAR A CLIFF AND WAS TRYING TO MANEUVER AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE STUCK IN THE MUD. IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF I WAS NOT GOING SO SLOWLY. I T…
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I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE POWER STEERING CALIBRATION UPDATE IN MARCH 2015. IN MAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MUDDY ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. I WAS ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD NEAR A CLIFF AND WAS TRYING TO MANEUVER AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE STUCK IN THE MUD. IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF I WAS NOT GOING SO SLOWLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A COMPUTER PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE SENSOR OR POWER STEERING MODULE. ALL FUSES, WIRES, AND FLUIDS WERE GOOD. I WAS NOT NEAR A FORD DEALER SO HAD TO DRIVE OVER 300 MILES WITHOUT POWER STEERING TO GET TO A DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WHEN THEY DID THE UPDATE IN MARCH AND THAT WHILE THERE IS CURRENTLY A SAFETY RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IT IS NOT FOR THIS PROBLEM (P2274) AND THEREFORE I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE RECALL CALIBRATION. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #10721920
124,524 miles · May 5, 2015
Steering
"POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER LEFT/RIGHT DUE TO POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714785
149,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
NHTSA ODI #10714447
135,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Steering
IN JULY OF 2014 I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY ESCAPE FOR THE POWER STEERING. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WENT OUT AGAIN I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SENSOR REPLACED. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE P…
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IN JULY OF 2014 I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY ESCAPE FOR THE POWER STEERING. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WENT OUT AGAIN I WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING SENSOR REPLACED. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. IN APRIL OF 2015 I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED AND AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR HE DISCOVERED IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. HE SPENT A COUPLE OF DAYS WORKING WITH FORD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AS ALL THE COMPUTERS WERE SAYING IT WAS THE SENSOR. FORD FINALLY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN THAT NEEDED REPLACED WHICH WAS OVER DOUBLE THE PRICE. AFTER TALKING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT CONCERNS I HAD WITH REPLACING THAT AT SUCH A HIGH COST I LEARNED THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE ORIGINAL STEERING COLUMN COMPONENTS AND THEY HAVE CHANGED THEM IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. FORD REFUSED TO WORK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ON FIXING IT FOR ME OR WORKING WITH THE COST EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING POINTED TOO THE SENSOR. FORD IS AT SERIOUS FAULT KNOWING THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN AND JUST TRIED TO PUT A BAND AID ON IT WITH THE RECALL THAT THEY DID ISSUE. *TR
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
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding 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.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
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.
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