NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
96 reports19,446 miles · Sep 17, 2008
Tires
1. DRIVING 53 MPH ON 3 LANE FREEWAY, CHANGED INTO RIGHT LANE WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC. 2. TIRE BLOW OUT - HEARD LOAD 'POP' FROM BEHIND ME, CHECKED MIRRORS FOR OBJECT IN LANE - COULD NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE. MOVED TO FAR LEFT LANE IN ANTICIPATION OF NEED FOR BREAK-DOWN LANE. TRAVELED APPROX 1/4 MILE, COULD FEEL RIGHT REAL RUB OF TIRE. PU…
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1. DRIVING 53 MPH ON 3 LANE FREEWAY, CHANGED INTO RIGHT LANE WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC. 2. TIRE BLOW OUT - HEARD LOAD 'POP' FROM BEHIND ME, CHECKED MIRRORS FOR OBJECT IN LANE - COULD NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE. MOVED TO FAR LEFT LANE IN ANTICIPATION OF NEED FOR BREAK-DOWN LANE. TRAVELED APPROX 1/4 MILE, COULD FEEL RIGHT REAL RUB OF TIRE. PULLED OF ROAD. 3. CONTACTED AAA, VAN SENT, TIRE CHANGED TO DONUT. NO VISIBLE SHREDDING. AAA DRIVERS STATED IT APPEARED TO BE SIDE WALL FAILURE. WE REPLACED BOTH REAR TIRES AND ARE MAINTAINING THIS 'BLOWN OUT' TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242561
9,040 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Tires
I HAVE A 2007 VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER 2006. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN JUST OVER 9,000 MILES AND, WITHOUT WARNING, A TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND THE TIRE LOST ALL AIR PRESSURE . MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE VALVE. THE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE, A FRIEND POINTED OUT A MAGAZINE ARTICLE REGARDING DEFECTIVE TI…
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I HAVE A 2007 VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN DECEMBER 2006. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN JUST OVER 9,000 MILES AND, WITHOUT WARNING, A TIRE VALVE STEM FAILED AND THE TIRE LOST ALL AIR PRESSURE . MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE VALVE. THE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE, A FRIEND POINTED OUT A MAGAZINE ARTICLE REGARDING DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE STEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240701
23,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Tires
DURING THE MONTH OF AUG 08 I HAD 3 FLAT TIRES. IN EACH CASE THE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY AT SPEED. EACH FLAT WAS CAUSED BY A VALVE STEM FAILURE (CRACKED AND LEAKED)THE FIRST FAILURE SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL EVENT, THE SECOND SEEMED QUESTIONABLE , THE THIRD WAS ABSOLUTE CONFIRMATION OF A CLEAR PROBLEM WITH THE VAL…
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DURING THE MONTH OF AUG 08 I HAD 3 FLAT TIRES. IN EACH CASE THE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY AT SPEED. EACH FLAT WAS CAUSED BY A VALVE STEM FAILURE (CRACKED AND LEAKED)THE FIRST FAILURE SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL EVENT, THE SECOND SEEMED QUESTIONABLE , THE THIRD WAS ABSOLUTE CONFIRMATION OF A CLEAR PROBLEM WITH THE VALVE STEMS. THE VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED ON THE 3 TIRES AS WELL AS THE 4TH BEFORE ANOTHER VALVE STEM FAILURE. THE 3 TIRES THAT WENT FLAT SUSTAINED SIDEWALL DAMAGE. THE VALVE STEMS ON THIS VEHICLE WERE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE (OR ANY VEHICLE WITH THESE TYPE OF VALVE STEMS) BY AN INEXPERIENCED OPERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240596
16,500 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE TIRES WERE FLAT ON HER VEHICLE. TWO VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL MICHELIN TIRES. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DUE TO THE FLAT TIRES. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE TIRES WERE FLAT ON HER VEHICLE. TWO VALVE STEMS WERE REPLACED IN THE ORIGINAL MICHELIN TIRES. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES DUE TO THE FLAT TIRES. THE SERIAL NUMBER, PURCHASE DATE, PART NUMBER, AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,952 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.
NHTSA ODI #10239139
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2008
Tires
FLAT TIRE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM AND REQUIRED REPLACING TIRE AND VALVE STEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236762
11,200 miles · Jul 23, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VALVE STEM CRACKED ON THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO DEFLATE WHILE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. HE CALLED AAA AND THEY CHANGED THE TIRE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE STEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VALVE STEM CRACKED ON THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO DEFLATE WHILE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. HE CALLED AAA AND THEY CHANGED THE TIRE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS RUPTURED ON THE SIDE. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR VALVE STEMS UNDER WARRANTY. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CHINESE VALVE STEMS WERE AN ISSUE, WHICH WERE REPLACED AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES A WEEK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 11,200. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10235453
20,000 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Tires
ON MAY 28, 2007, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT ON MY 2007 MERCURY MARQUIS, THE TIRE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE VALVE STEM WAS BAD. ON JUNE 8, 2008 THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT AND IT WAS ALSO A BAD VALVE STEM. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED WITH APP. 16,000 MILES AND I AM SURE THE TIRES ARE THE ORIGINAL FROM THE FACTORY. A…
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ON MAY 28, 2007, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT ON MY 2007 MERCURY MARQUIS, THE TIRE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE VALVE STEM WAS BAD. ON JUNE 8, 2008 THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT AND IT WAS ALSO A BAD VALVE STEM. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT USED WITH APP. 16,000 MILES AND I AM SURE THE TIRES ARE THE ORIGINAL FROM THE FACTORY. AS A PRECAUTION I REPLACED THE TWO REMAINING VALVE STEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232403
2,400 miles · May 15, 2008
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH WITH THE ALL WINDOWS DOWN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH WITH THE ALL WINDOWS DOWN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. THE CONTACT INFORMED THEM THAT THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN WHEN THE FAILURE TO OCCURED, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FORD REP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WIND TURBULENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 6/2/08 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT.
NHTSA ODI #10227917
6,000 miles · Dec 3, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. SHE LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FUEL TYPE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6,000.
NHTSA ODI #10210690
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE IS UP TO HIGH AND HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR DOWN, IT AUTOMATICALLY MOVES WHEN IT IS PUT INTO GEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE DECELERATION. THE DEALER INFORME…
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2007 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE IS UP TO HIGH AND HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR DOWN, IT AUTOMATICALLY MOVES WHEN IT IS PUT INTO GEAR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE DECELERATION. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR WAS SET AT THE FACTORY AND WAS NOT ADJUSTABLE AT THE DEALER LEVEL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10207220
Official recalls
3Nov 5, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Aug 29, 2013
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
Nov 15, 2006
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY RETAINED TO THE VEHICLE, WIND NOISE, SQUEAK/RATTLES AND/OR WATER LEAKS MAY OCCUR. ALSO, LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2PE14021 · Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
Opened Jul 7, 2014 · Closed Nov 21, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System; Steering
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.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 monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.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 monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
Steering
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.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 monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
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
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