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2007 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

809 reports with mileage · 84 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 428 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 360 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

893 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2013
Power Train

MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN LUNGING WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND SOON AFTER THAT BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE AROUND $5000 TO PULL AND CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CRAZY. I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LUNGING FORWARD AND NOW THIS NOISE WHICH FORD STAT…

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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN LUNGING WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND SOON AFTER THAT BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE AROUND $5000 TO PULL AND CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CRAZY. I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LUNGING FORWARD AND NOW THIS NOISE WHICH FORD STATES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW I'M LEFT WITHOUT A CAR TO DRIVE BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I WILL DO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION OR EVEN YET HURT SOMEONE WITH THE LUNGING PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502233

56,000 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Power Train

AFTER ENDURING A SUMMER FILLED WITH THE TYPICAL SURGING ISSUE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. COME DECEMBER 2012, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, AND IN JANUARY 2013 TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE CVT TRANSMISSION'S …

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AFTER ENDURING A SUMMER FILLED WITH THE TYPICAL SURGING ISSUE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. COME DECEMBER 2012, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, AND IN JANUARY 2013 TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE CVT TRANSMISSION'S GRINDING NOISE HAD GOTTEN WORSE, SO I TOOK IT INTO THE FORD DEALER HERE IN TOWN AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF OVER $6000. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DO NOT HAVE $6000 TO PUT INTO A 6 YEAR OLD CAR THAT I STILL OWE $8000 ON (BOUGHT IT IN 2010). I'VE HAD TIRES LAST LONGER THAN THIS TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY AT 62,000 MILES. UNTHINKABLE THAT FORD HAS PRODUCED SUCH A FLAWED MAJOR COMPONENT LIKE A TRANSMISSION, AND NOT STOOD BEHIND IT, OR SUPPLIES PARTS FOR IT. I AM LIVID, AND AFTER OWNING FORDS FOR OVER 30 YEARS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I WILL GET NEXT. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, AND THIS FREESTYLE IS INDEED A LEMON. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE TAURUS X OF 2008 WHICH THEY INTRODUCED A TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUALLY WORKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501429

76,123 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EnginePower Train

PUT CAR IN REVERSE VEH LUNGED BACKWARD ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD TOOK VEH IN TO DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL ONLY IS FOR CLEANING THE THROTTLE I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE. COST WAS $850 I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT DID NOT COVER THIS …

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PUT CAR IN REVERSE VEH LUNGED BACKWARD ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD TOOK VEH IN TO DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL ONLY IS FOR CLEANING THE THROTTLE I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE. COST WAS $850 I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT DID NOT COVER THIS PART. I FEEL IF FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM IT SHOULD BE REPLACED IF NEEDED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT HAS GONE ON WITH THIS. HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITUATION IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500531

44,886 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED, I HAD NO POWER. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE STARTED AND BACK AT FREEWAY SPEED. A FEW MILES LATER, THE SAME HAPPENED. THIS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HUN…

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I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED, I HAD NO POWER. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE FREEWAY SHOULDER WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE STARTED AND BACK AT FREEWAY SPEED. A FEW MILES LATER, THE SAME HAPPENED. THIS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES. START,STOP,START STOP ETC. COST TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP...$1000. NOV. 22, 2012 (TWO MONTHS LATER) @ 48200 MILES, AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY, THE SAME HAPPENED. ONE HUNDRED MILES AND FOUR HOURS LATER I GOT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. ANOTHER FUEL PUMP, THIS TIME IT WAS WARRANTY BY PLANET FORD HERE IN SPRING, TEXAS. NOV. 2, 2012 AT MILEAGE 56023 ANOTHER FUEL PUMP FAILURE. FORD SAID ONLY THE FIRST PUMP FELL UNDER THEIR WARRANTY POLICY. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT FORD, I SHOULD TRY NOT TO LET THE FUEL TANK GET LESS THAN HALF FULL, THE FUEL IN THE TANK KEEPS THE PUMP COOL. ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT GOES THRU THE TANK, THE TANK IS "SPLIT" AND CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT. CAN YOU HELP? THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500143

85,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE 2007 FREESTYLE WHICH WAS BUILT NEAR THE END OF 2006. IT WAS OK WHEN FIRST PURCHASED AS USED BACK IN 2008. BUT AS TIME WENT ON ITS THROTTLE BEGAN TO SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY. EVENTUALLY IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH FOR MY WIFE AND I TO NOTICE HOW IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON. IT'S PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM WHILE PULLING I…

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THE 2007 FREESTYLE WHICH WAS BUILT NEAR THE END OF 2006. IT WAS OK WHEN FIRST PURCHASED AS USED BACK IN 2008. BUT AS TIME WENT ON ITS THROTTLE BEGAN TO SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY. EVENTUALLY IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH FOR MY WIFE AND I TO NOTICE HOW IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON. IT'S PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM WHILE PULLING IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE DAY BEGINNING WHEN THE CAR IS BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE. WE HAVE LEARNED TO KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FROM CRASHING INTO ANYTHING. TO ME THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. BUT I DON'T DRIVE IT AS OFTEN AS DOES MY WIFE. SHE SAYS THAT THE PROGRESSION OF THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE SLOWED DOWN. BUT SHE SAYS SHE HAS GOTTEN USED TO COMPENSATING FOR IT. THE CAR ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING OCCASIONALLY. MAYBE THAT IS RELATED TO THE SURGING THROTTLE. BUT SO FAR WE HAVE NOT NOTICED THE STARTING PROBLEM CORRELATING WITH ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THERE IS A RECALL TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. THAT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499967

130,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Power Train

MY VEHICLE "LUNGES" WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498263

79,102 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING PLACED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING PLACED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,102. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10497749

46,828 miles · Jan 29, 2013
EnginePower Train

AFTER I BOUGHT MY FREESTYLE, I STARTED HAVING SERIOUS SURGING ISSUES, ESPECIALLY AFTER IDLING FOR A TIME OR WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT WOULD OCCUR DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHER MOTORISTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TECH'S SUGGESTED REPLACING VARIOUS COMPONENTS …

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AFTER I BOUGHT MY FREESTYLE, I STARTED HAVING SERIOUS SURGING ISSUES, ESPECIALLY AFTER IDLING FOR A TIME OR WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT WOULD OCCUR DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHER MOTORISTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TECH'S SUGGESTED REPLACING VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE CAR A/C SYSTEM AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS. NO SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION WAS EVER REACHED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, EVEN AFTER THE SUGGESTED REPAIRS WERE MADE. I CONTINUED TO HAVE SURGING ISSUES, MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE. IN JANUARY 2013, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SPECIFICALLY THE INPUT SHAFT. I BELIEVE THAT THE SURGING ISSUE RELATED TO THE SUBSEQUENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NOT ONLY IS MY CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SURGING ISSUE, BUT NOW IS COMPLETELY UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I WAS MADE AWARE IN JANUARY 2013 THAT FORD ISSUED A TSB IN DECEMBER 2012 RELATING TO THE SURGING ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED A FIX THAT WOULD COMPLETELY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BUT I BELIEVE THIS TSB CAME WAY TOO LATE. THE SURGING DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND THUS CREATED A PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE. FORD TOOK STEPS TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT MADE THEIR CARS UNSAFE. NOW THEY NEED TO COME FORWARD AND FURTHER ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT THE SURGING NOT ONLY MADE THE CAR UNSAFE, BUT DAMAGED THE CAR AND THEN SUBMIT MEASURES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES OF DAMAGED TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495132

24,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT IN MY PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR SURGED SO STRONG I ALMOST DROVE INTO THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DROVE POORLY FOR A FEW MILES. IT WAS JUMPY AND NOT VERY MUCH POWER. WE CALLED FORD AND HE RECOMMENDED PULLING THE BATTERY CABLE OFF THE BATTERY TO RESET IT AN…

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I WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT IN MY PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR SURGED SO STRONG I ALMOST DROVE INTO THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF ME. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DROVE POORLY FOR A FEW MILES. IT WAS JUMPY AND NOT VERY MUCH POWER. WE CALLED FORD AND HE RECOMMENDED PULLING THE BATTERY CABLE OFF THE BATTERY TO RESET IT AND BRING IT IN AS SOON AS WE GOT BACK FROM OUR VACATION. IT SEEMED TO DO OK FOR A WHILE THEN RANDOMLY IT WOULD SURGE WHILE IDLING.( IN 2011 MAYBE ONCE A MONTH. IN 2012 PROBABLY EVERY OTHER DAY.) BROUGHT IT TO FORD A FEW TIMES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE IT DIDN'T DO IT WHILE THEY HAD IT. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF FOR A MINUTE OR TWO THEN SUDDENLY COME BACK ON. THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR WILL DO THE SAME THING. ALSO THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS SOMETIMES ALL COME ON AT ONCE AND THEN ALL GO OUT FOR A WHILE. ( I CANT SEE MY SPEED SO I HAVE TO PULL OVER). I WAS SCARED TO LET MY DAUGHTER OR STRANGERS DRIVE MY CAR. I AM AFRAID THEY WILL GET HURT OR HURT SOME ONE. I HAVE TO ALWAYS HOLD MY BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN AND QUICKLY LET OFF AND PUT THE BRAKES BACK ON TO PULL INTO PARKING SPACES SO I DON'T RUN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493102

96,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Power Train

A YEAR AGO I WAS EXPERIENCING THE LATEST RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY FOR FREESTYLES, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. A YEAR LATER AFTER MANY REPEATED LUNGING OCCASIONS MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW MADE MY CAR UNDRIVABLE. I WANT TO BRING TO ATTENTION THAT O BELIEVE AS WELL AS SOME OF MY LOCAL MECHA…

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A YEAR AGO I WAS EXPERIENCING THE LATEST RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY FOR FREESTYLES, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. A YEAR LATER AFTER MANY REPEATED LUNGING OCCASIONS MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW MADE MY CAR UNDRIVABLE. I WANT TO BRING TO ATTENTION THAT O BELIEVE AS WELL AS SOME OF MY LOCAL MECHANICS BELIEVE THIS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE TO BE A DIRECT CONNECTION TO THE MANY TRANSMISSION CASES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. I UNFORTUNATELY AM A VICTIM OF THIS. I BELIEVE FORD COMPANY SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR BOTH THESE FIXES THEY ARE PRODUCT OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT THEY PUT OUT FOR CONSUMERS TO EXPERIENCE. I HAVE SEEN IN SOME CASES AS WELL AS LIVED A CASE WHERE WHILE DRIVING THESE ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND TRANSMISSION HAVE EITHER CASES ACCIDENTS OR NEARLY CAUSED. PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND THANK U FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492207

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

2

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.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 May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

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