NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
85 reportsClear category filter38,600 miles · Apr 16, 2011
Electrical System
ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIT UP AND ALL OF THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AND I HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED BUT THE PROBLEM RESURFACED THE NEXT DAY AND AGAIN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I HAD THE CAR TOW…
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ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIT UP AND ALL OF THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AND I HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED BUT THE PROBLEM RESURFACED THE NEXT DAY AND AGAIN THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT THE MECHANIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM YET. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO THE CAR STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396105
25,530 miles · Apr 13, 2011
Electrical System
CAR SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, IT STARTED WITH ABS LIGHT COMING ON. FOUND OUT ALTERNATOR HAD DIED AND KILLED MY BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395786
29,100 miles · Mar 13, 2011
Electrical System
JUST PURCHASED A 2007 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK TWO WEEKS AGO. IT HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT. HARDLY DRIVEN. I DROVE AN HOUR AWAY FROM MY HOME, YESTERDAY,TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE RADIO WENT BLACK, ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES FOLLOWED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT APPROX. 2 MILES TO A TRUCK STOP, BEFORE THE CAR DIED, AND I CALLED FOR ROADSI…
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JUST PURCHASED A 2007 FORD FOCUS HATCHBACK TWO WEEKS AGO. IT HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT. HARDLY DRIVEN. I DROVE AN HOUR AWAY FROM MY HOME, YESTERDAY,TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE RADIO WENT BLACK, ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES FOLLOWED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT APPROX. 2 MILES TO A TRUCK STOP, BEFORE THE CAR DIED, AND I CALLED FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER REALIZING THAT IT'S PROBABLY THE ALTERNATOR, I DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND REALIZED THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE DEALT WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE IN THE EXACT SAME TYPE OF CAR, AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY FORD TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND I THINK THEY SHOULD. I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH MY GIRLFRIEND AND HER 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO WAS TERRIFIED OF THE WHOLE SITUATION OF BEING STRANDED IN THE DARK AT NIGHT. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT PEOPLE HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR IN THESE CARS MORE THAN ONE TIME, AFTER THE INITIAL EPISODE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED AND IT COST ME $100. I HAVEN'T EVEN MADE MY FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT ON THIS CAR YET !!! NOW IM LOOKING AT SPENDING ANYWHERE FROM $400-$700 TO FIX A CAR THAT I PURCHASED, LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO. HAD THERE BEEN A RECALL FROM FORD ON THIS, I WOULD EITHER HAVE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH IT, OR I COULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND HAD IT SERVICED, FREE OF CHARGE. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ON THE INTERNET TO CONSTITUTE A RECALL. I HOPE THIS HELPS IN GETTING THAT DONE. WHERE DO I STAND, IF A RECALL IS ANNOUNCED AFTER I HAVE SPENT THE MONEY TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION MYSELF?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389970
64,965 miles · Jan 16, 2011
Electrical System
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH OREGON ON I-205 IN EXTREAMLY HEAVY RAIN MY 2007 FOCUS WITH 64,000 MILES LOST MOST ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING HEAD LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. AIR BAG INDICATOR ALSO ILUMINATED ON INSTRAMENT PANEL. THIS ALL OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO NEXT EXIT AND FOUND S…
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WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH OREGON ON I-205 IN EXTREAMLY HEAVY RAIN MY 2007 FOCUS WITH 64,000 MILES LOST MOST ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING HEAD LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. AIR BAG INDICATOR ALSO ILUMINATED ON INSTRAMENT PANEL. THIS ALL OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO NEXT EXIT AND FOUND SEARS SERVICE CENTER WHO DIAGNOSSED PROBLEM AS BAD BATTTERY AND ALTERNATOR. NO PRIOR WARNING FROM BATTERY LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS PROBLEM OCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN LOW VISABILITY IS A DEFINATE SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW ALTENATORS FAIL FROM TIME TO TIME BUT THE LACK OF WARNING IN THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION OF LOW VOLTAGE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NOTED MANY OTHER ACCOUNTS FROM FOCUS OWNERS ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES WITH ALMOST IDENTICAL SENARIOS. I THINK FORD MUST KNOW BY NOW THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 FOCUS. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10376843
42,000 miles · Nov 15, 2010
Electrical System
FORD FOCUS 2007, 42,000 MILES. LIGHTS WENT OFF AND CAR STOPPED ( NO POWER AT ALL), DEAD) IN THE MIDDLE OF URBAN INTERSECTION WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT WAS SAT. EVENING AND CAUSED SHOCK AND INCONVENIENCES TO DRIVER WHO MISSED IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE ALTHOUGH THIS TIME AN ACCIDENT/CRASH WAS AVOIDED. CAR WAS TO…
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FORD FOCUS 2007, 42,000 MILES. LIGHTS WENT OFF AND CAR STOPPED ( NO POWER AT ALL), DEAD) IN THE MIDDLE OF URBAN INTERSECTION WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT WAS SAT. EVENING AND CAUSED SHOCK AND INCONVENIENCES TO DRIVER WHO MISSED IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE ALTHOUGH THIS TIME AN ACCIDENT/CRASH WAS AVOIDED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY, DISREGARDING WARRANTY. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $683.00. A RECALL HAS TO BE FILED BECAUSE OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST FORD FOCUS 2007 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I*TR
NHTSA ODI #10365862
42,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
I OWN A 2007 FORD FOCUS WITH 45K MILES ON IT. AROUND 42K MILES I BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY SUCH AS MERGING ONTO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE BUT ONCE IT REACHED 3RD GEAR THE CAR WOULD JERK AND START REVVING VERY LOUD BUT BE STUCK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERAT…
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I OWN A 2007 FORD FOCUS WITH 45K MILES ON IT. AROUND 42K MILES I BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR WHEN I NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY SUCH AS MERGING ONTO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE BUT ONCE IT REACHED 3RD GEAR THE CAR WOULD JERK AND START REVVING VERY LOUD BUT BE STUCK AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. INITIALLY IT WAS OCCASIONAL AND WOULD NOT BE VERY BAD TO OVERCOME, SIMPLY RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL FOR A WHILE THEN IT'D FIX ITSELF. BUT IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT GET THE CAR OVER 30 MPH DUE TO THIS ISSUE NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY OR FAST I ACCELERATE. THE CAR WILL REV VERY LOUD USUALLY AT 3K+ RPM, BUT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WHENEVER I CAN; TURN THE CAR OFF AND TRY AGAIN. IT TURNS OUT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR OF THIS CAR PARTICULARLY THE 2007 MODEL. I RESEARCHED IT AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR CAR ARE ENCOUNTERING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A HARD TIME BY THE DEALERS WHEN IT CAME TO GETTING ANSWERS AND HELP. ITS BECOME OBVIOUS THAT THIS MUST BE A DEFECT WITH THIS CAR. AND IT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED FORMALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355272
29,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THEREFORE HE REPLACED THE BATTERY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RADIO, AIR CONDITIONING AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THEREFORE HE REPLACED THE BATTERY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RADIO, AIR CONDITIONING AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WHILE DRIVING, THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
NHTSA ODI #10347773
45,000 miles · Jul 18, 2010
Electrical System
STEP-DAUGHTERS TOOK A LOAN FOR THE LOW MILEAGE ECONOMY CAR TO COMMUTE TO COLLEGE AND PART-TIME JOB. STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY. REPLACED IT. WIFE TRIED TO TAKE IT TO THE MARKET AT DUSK WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS AWAY JUST TO KEEP THE CAR FROM SITTING. FOUR MILES DOWN THE TWO LANE THE ELECTRICS STARTED FAILING. CAR DIE…
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STEP-DAUGHTERS TOOK A LOAN FOR THE LOW MILEAGE ECONOMY CAR TO COMMUTE TO COLLEGE AND PART-TIME JOB. STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY. REPLACED IT. WIFE TRIED TO TAKE IT TO THE MARKET AT DUSK WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS AWAY JUST TO KEEP THE CAR FROM SITTING. FOUR MILES DOWN THE TWO LANE THE ELECTRICS STARTED FAILING. CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT CRANK. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST PART WAY ONTO A SIDE ROAD. AS IT GOT DARK SHE SAT AND WAITED EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC ON A 50 MPH ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS ON A CURVE. LUCKILY SHE WAS OUT OF THE CELL PHONE DEAD SPOT. I BLOCKED THE SIDE ROAD WITH MY TRUCK SO I COULD HOOK UP CABLES. STARTED CAR. CHECKED WITH METER. ONLY BATTERY VOLTAGE. SAT FOR 15 MINUTES WITH CABLES CONNECTED TO CHARGE UP THE BATTERY. SENT WIFE HOME IN THE DARK RUNNING FLASHERS AND HOPED FOR NO DEER CROSSING. PULLED ALTERNATOR WHICH IS JUST ABOUT AS HARD TO GET OUT IS IT COULD BE ABLE TO BE ( I WORK ON EQUIPMENT FOR A LIVING). TOOK ALTERNATOR TO TEST MACHINE. IT FAILED. REBUILT ALTERNATOR IS OVER $200 AND I WOULD RATHER NOT PUT A REBUILT IN A LOW MILEAGE LATE MODEL, ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS SO HARD TO GET IN AND OUT. THEN AGAIN MAYBE THEY ARE FINDING THE FAULT DURING THE REBUILD AND UPGRADING THE FAILED COMPONENT. FORD AND THE OTHERS BUILD CARS WITH COMPONENTS THAT THEY PURCHASE. SOMETIMES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A BATCH OF COMPONENTS. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR REPUTATION AND BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THAT THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO PROTECT THE CUSTOMER THEY ISSUE A LETTER AND FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THERE ARE 20 PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO COMPLAIN HERE THERE ARE HUNDREDS MORE AND ENOUGH OF THESE HAVE HAPPENED UNDER WARRANTY THAT FORD IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE BEST OF THE BIG THREE IS NOT LIVING UP TO ITS STANDING IN THIS CASE AND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN A LOW END CAR BRINGS UP RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EXPLODING PINTOS. PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF FOLKS WITH ACCESS TO EXPENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE DRIVING THE FOCUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343808
27,783 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Electrical System
THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY ON MY 2007 FORD FOCUS SE THAT HAS 27,783 MILES ARE DEAD. I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTAINED ON TIME. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TODAY FOR OIL CHANGE AND 30,000 MILE REQUIRED INSPECTION AND MAINTAINED. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 40 MILES ROUND-TRIP AND STOPPED AT THE LIBRARY. I TRIE…
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THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY ON MY 2007 FORD FOCUS SE THAT HAS 27,783 MILES ARE DEAD. I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTAINED ON TIME. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TODAY FOR OIL CHANGE AND 30,000 MILE REQUIRED INSPECTION AND MAINTAINED. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 40 MILES ROUND-TRIP AND STOPPED AT THE LIBRARY. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. ALL THAT HAPPENED WAS THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON BUT THE CAR MADE NO SOUNDS AND ENGINE WAS NOT EVEN TRYING TO TURN OVER. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND AFTER AN HOUR WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE BOTH DEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THIS COULD OCCUR FORM THE DEALER AND THE CAR ACTED PERFECTLY FINE. THE ONLY REASON I KNEW ANYTHING WAS WRONG WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE NIGHT MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT DUE TO THE ALTERNATOR FAILING THE CAR RAN ON 12VOLTS OF POWER FROM THE BATTERY AND NOW THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND CANNOT BE RECHARGED. HE ALSO SAID THAT YES, THE ALTERNATOR DOES GO OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THAT IT IS COMMON TO NOT KNOW IT HAD DIED UNTIL THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPS WORKING. THE CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED 3 MONTHS AGO IN APRIL AND THE DEALER EXPECTS $645 TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE FIXED BY FORD. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH TONIGHT, AND LEARNED THAT IT IS COMMON FOR FORD FOCUS CAR TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY DIE AT ABOUT 3 YEARS OF AGE. I WAS DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR ON SEVERAL EXPRESSWAYS TODAY, HAD THE ALTERNATOR DIED 10 MINUTES SOONER, I COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR CRASH. 1. NO WARNING BEFORE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY DIED. CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. CAR WAS AT DEALER TODAY FOR 30,000 OIL CHANGE/ MAINTENANCE CAR HAS LESS THAN 28,000 MILES. 2. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY HAS DIED. 3. DEALER SAID THE CAR NEEDS NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. WOULD NOT OFFER ANY DISCOUNT FOR REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343092
37,008 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Electrical System
ABOUT 4 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, I NOTICED MY BATTERY LIGHT FLICKERING, I WASN'T TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STAY ON, I THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY THE BATTERY AND I WOULD REPLACE IT THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WELL IT DID NOT LAST A WEEK! THE REASON I WOULD CLASSIFY THIS AS A SAFETY PROBLEM IS: BECAUSE OF THE ALTERNATOR FA…
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ABOUT 4 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, I NOTICED MY BATTERY LIGHT FLICKERING, I WASN'T TOO WORRIED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT STAY ON, I THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY THE BATTERY AND I WOULD REPLACE IT THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WELL IT DID NOT LAST A WEEK! THE REASON I WOULD CLASSIFY THIS AS A SAFETY PROBLEM IS: BECAUSE OF THE ALTERNATOR FAILING AND NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, MY 2007 FORD FOCUS JUST STALLED ON A FREEWAY GOING THROUGH CLEVELAND OHIO. NOT ONLY DID I LOSE ENGINE POWER, EVERY THING ELECTRICAL SHUT DOWN TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, HORN, ETC. TRYING TO NAVIGATE ACROSS 3 OR 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND DEPENDING ON LOCATION OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE OR IF IT HAPPENED AT NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING HOURS A DIFFERENT KIND OF DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD OCCUR! I HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP ON A SATURDAY, BUT THEIR SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED UNTIL TODAY MONDAY, THEY CALLED TO INFORM ME OF COST OF REPAIR (OVER $400) WHEN I PICK UP CAR I WILL MAKE SURE I GET THE OLD ALTERNATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339279
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · 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