Suspension. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

157 reports

113,495 miles · Nov 30, 2013

StructureWheels

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TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK OUT SOME NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS VERY RUSTED (ACTUALLY RUSTED THROUGH IN SPOTS) AND NOT STABLE. NOISE IS COMING FROM AROUND THE REAR SHOCK AREA WHICH IS VERY DETERIORATED AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE SHOCK MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED. THE SAME THING IS STARTING TO HAPPEN ON THE OTHER REAR WHEEL WELL BUT MOST OF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS NO VISIBLE RUST ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. WE WERE REFERRED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP BUT THE REPAIR WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE TOO FIX. WE'VE REGULARLY SERVICED THIS VEHICLE AT THE DEALER SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. I'VE CHECKED ON-LINE AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE OCCURRING IN MAZDA TRIBUTES AND FORD ESCAPES IN THE 2004-2005 MODEL YEARS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING REPAIRED DUE TO COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554222

111,555 miles · Nov 10, 2013

Suspension

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WIFE LEFT HOUSE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND RETURNED IMMEDIATELY AFTER HEARING LOUD CLANGING NOISE IN REAR OF CAR. SHE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SO I RODE IN THE REAR SEAT TO OBSERVE AS SHE DROVE. AFTER JUST A VERY SHORT DISTANCE I HEARD THE NOISE AND OBSERVED THAT I COULD SEE THROUGH THE REAR SPEAKER AREA TO THE OUTSIDE. SHE PARKED THE CAR AND I LOOKED FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) REAR WHEEL WELL AND SAW THE ENTIRE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT WAS ROTTED OUT OFFERING NO SUPPORT WHATSOEVER TO THE SHOCK ABSORBER. THE OVERALL CONDITION OF THE CAR IS VERY GOOD WITH NO OR VERY LITTLE BODY RUST. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THIS IS REPAIRED. I AM NOT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC BUT I DO RESTORE OLD CARS AS A HOBBY AND CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE OF MODERATE ABILITY IN AUTO MECHANICS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551710

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK FOR A BRIEF MOMENT UPON BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGED FORWARDLY ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE WEEK AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10549930

120,000 miles · Aug 15, 2013

Air BagsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE'S BUMPER. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIP LASH, BACK, AND WRIST INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE NOT HAVE DEPLOYED AT SUCH LOW SPEED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10535543

131,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013

StructureSuspensionWheels

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THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH INCLUDING THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE METAL TOGETHER WAS THE OUTER UNDERCOATING SPRAY. MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THIS CONDITION. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND SEE THAT OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S AN OBVIOUS MANFACTURE'S DEFECT THAT IS OCCURRING NATIONALLY AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533755

84,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control

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IN AUGUST OF 2012 THE VEHICLE STARTED RANDOMLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT IT WOULD SURGE AGGRESSIVELY. SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION IT WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL IN AUGUST 2012. PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. DEALER DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND SAID VEHICLE WOULD BE SAFE UNTIL PART COULD BE REPLACED. PART WAS NOT INSTALLED YET BUT CABLE REMAINS DISCONNECTED. TODAY THE VEHICLE STARTING BEHAVING LIKE DESCRIBED ABOVE. BUT THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT DECELERATE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DID. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ENOUGH WITH THE BRAKES TO PARK IT. WHEN I WENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TONIGHT WHERE IT WAS LEFT IT IDLES AT OVER 3000 RPM AS SOON AS YOU START IT AND IT WILL NOT IDLE DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. I TRIED PUMPING ACCELERATOR PEDDLE AND MOVING THE THROTTLE CONTROL AT THE THROTTLE CABLE UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE COVER WAS COMPLETELY REMOVED AND THROTTLE COULD NOT BE REDUCED. I RECORDED VIDEO OF THE ENGINE BEHAVIOR AND THE DASHBOARD READINGS WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING. THE DEALER IS SCHEDULED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TOMORROW TO THEIR DEALERSHIP TO INSTALL THE RECALL PART. OUR CONCERN IS THAT IF DISCONNECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS SUPPOSED TO ELIMINATE THE RISK, BUT IT STILL ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, CAN WE REALLY RELY ON THE RECALL PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507191

114,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013

Engine And Engine Cooling

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND DAMAGED THE EGR VALVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 04/09/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME A PROBLEM OCCURRED, HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE EGR VALVE, HAD A HOLE IN IT. TEN DAYS LATER, HIS DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MOST LIKELY DEVELOPED AN OBSTRUCTION THAT CAUSED A LARGE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE BACK IN TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER HOLE TO BLOW OUT THE EGR VALVE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $2500 FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #10503438

94,000 miles · Mar 11, 2013

Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WORE EXCESSIVELY FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TWO FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS WERE PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFAC…

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NHTSA ODI #10502332

85,000 miles · Feb 6, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control

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ON 9/2012, RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 04V-583, TOOK TO MAZDA SERVICE, THEY STATED RECALL PART WAS TAKEN CARE OF. 2-5-2013 EXITING FREEWAY, AT IDLE, VEHICLE RPM WAS STUCK AT 2, TRIED PUTTING IN PARK, RPMS WENT UP TO 4.. TERRIFYING INCIDENT. ALMOST HIT VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME AND THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE TRIBUTE WAS PURCHASED WHICH WAS 5 MINUTES AWAY. THEY INFORMED ME LATER THAT DAY THROTTLE BODY ELECTRICAL. NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. $500 OUT OF POCKET. THEY ARE WORKING ON VEHICLE AND KEEPING ONE MORE NIGHT TO TEST IT. I CONTACTED MAZDA TO ASK ABOUT REFUND SINCE THE 2012 RECALL FIX WAS COMPLETED AND THIS IS HAPPENING ONE YEAR LATER. MAZDA CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THEY ARE OPENING FILE AND CONTACTING DEALERSHIP WORKING ON TRIBUTE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496617

100,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V357000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE VEHICLE…

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NHTSA ODI #10485171

Official recalls

14V174000 · Structure:frame And Members

Apr 4, 2014

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 27, 2012

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

07V157000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V605000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 23, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V583000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 10, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

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

DP12005 · Cruise Control Cable

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Jul 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages; Vehicle Speed Control:springs

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control:springs

PE12019 · Stuck Throttle

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

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

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control

EA10002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 14, 2010 · Closed Feb 29, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

RQ09002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 15, 2009 · Closed Jan 15, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PRESCRIBES AN INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, WHICH SHALL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY IF NECESSARY.IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PASSES THE VISUAL INSPECTION THEN THE RECALL INSTRUCTS THE TECHNICIAN TO APPLY ELECTRICAL GREASE (FORD PART NUMBER XG-12) TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND VERIFY SYSTEM OPERATION.TO DATE, APPROXIMATELY 388,500 SUBJECT VEHICLES (71.7% OF THE TOTAL RECALL POPULATION) HAVE BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH (373,985) PASSED THE VISUAL INSPECTION AND RECEIVED ONLY THE ELECTRICAL GREASE APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF AT LEAST 86 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCED NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER HAS PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION THAT INDICATES CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE IMPROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACTORY WIRE TIE-WRAP NOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH INDICATES A PROPER INSPECTION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED) AND BY INCORRECT GREASE BEING APPLIED, INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GREASE, AND EVEN INSTANCES WHERE NO GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR.ALSO, THERE REMAIN SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF THE REPORTED FIRE INCIDENTS.THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT MOST REPORTED FIRES WERE ACTUALLY NON-FIRE THERMAL EVENTS WITH DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AND THAT MOST VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.HOWEVER, THE TREND APPEARS TO BE ONGOING WITH 5 REPORTED INCIDENTS HAVING OCCURRED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

DP09003 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 14, 2009 · Closed Apr 15, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE PETITIONER'S VEHICLE HAD IN FACT RECEIVED SERVICE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 07V156 - A FACT LATER CORROBORATED BY THE PETITIONER.CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE EXPERIENCED IN THE PETITIONER'S REMEDIED VEHICLE INDICATE THAT THE REMEDY WAS INEFFECTIVE.ADDITIONAL REVIEW BY ODI IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL 6 SIMILAR (ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ) NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS IN SUBJECT VEHICLES KNOWN TO HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.ACCORDINGLY, A RECALL QUERY (RQ09-002) HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.