NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
27 reportsClear category filter217,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 14S05 AND SAID RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014 IN VA UNDER THE PREVIOUS OWNER, FORD DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF WHAT "STEP" OR PART OF THE RECALL WAS DONE, THERE ARE 3 PARTS. LESS THAN 4 YEARS, THE RECALLED PART, THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAULTED, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE T…
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MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 14S05 AND SAID RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014 IN VA UNDER THE PREVIOUS OWNER, FORD DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF WHAT "STEP" OR PART OF THE RECALL WAS DONE, THERE ARE 3 PARTS. LESS THAN 4 YEARS, THE RECALLED PART, THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAULTED, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT WASN'T REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. SINCE IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE SAID RECALLED PART THAT WAS ORIGINALLY COVERED. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE WHEN THE ASSIST FAULTED CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT AND HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN ACCIDENT CAUSING. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL WORK SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO REPLACING THE PART SINCE IT WASN'T DONE ORIGINALLY UNDER THE RECALL OR WAS AGAIN REPLACED WITH A FAULTY SENSOR TO FAULT AGAIN WITHIN LESS THAN 4 YEARS
NHTSA ODI #11062109
180,000 miles · Nov 28, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BARBER FORD IN HOLLAND, MI (640 E 8TH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #11051060
60,000 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE OPERATING THE CAR, POSING A DANGER. TRANSMISSION LURCHES ON UPSHIFT BETWEEN 1 - 2 GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL NOT CHARGE BATTERY AND COMPLETELY FAILS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY, POSING A DANGER. VEHICLE MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA ODI #11014488
133,500 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT CHIMES AND DISPLAYS TO "SAFELY STOP VEHICLE". THE CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATES AND SLOWS TO A STOP EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SHOULDER TO PULL OFF TO. I NORMALLY JUST HIT MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULL TO A STOP, WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH AND …
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY, THE WARNING LIGHT CHIMES AND DISPLAYS TO "SAFELY STOP VEHICLE". THE CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATES AND SLOWS TO A STOP EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SHOULDER TO PULL OFF TO. I NORMALLY JUST HIT MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULL TO A STOP, WAIT A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH AND SOMETIMES TWICE OR THREE TIMES IN A ROW. IF THE HYBRID ELECTRONICS SYSTEM OVERHEATS, IT MAY SHUT DOWN THE POWERTRAIN, RESULTING IN A STALL-LIKE CONDITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM #14S19. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE ISN'T A PART OF IT EVEN THOUGH IT CLEARLY WAS BUILT IN THE SAME TIME AND HAS THE EXACT ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10969279
235,508 miles · Dec 21, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
STEERING WHEEL WILL FREEZE UP WHILE DRIVING. STEEL ON STEEL HORRIBLE NOISE WHEN DRIVING. SHIFTER GETS STUCK HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO START IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10936786
150,000 miles · Aug 28, 2016
Electrical System
KEY IGNITION DOESN'T WORK. CAR WON'T START WITHOUT JIGGLING KEY.
NHTSA ODI #10902033
59,234 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
SAFETY RECALL 14S05 -AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL FORD UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE IN MY CAR IN DEC. 2015, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER THE STEERING FAILED. (THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A QUIET SAN FRANCISCO STREET WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AND REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK.) I FIRST TOWED THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO LOOKED AT IT FOR…
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SAFETY RECALL 14S05 -AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL FORD UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE IN MY CAR IN DEC. 2015, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER THE STEERING FAILED. (THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A QUIET SAN FRANCISCO STREET WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AND REALIZED THAT THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK.) I FIRST TOWED THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO LOOKED AT IT FOR A WEEK AND THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL; HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO FORD. WHEN I RE-TOWED THE CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR WRITTEN COMMITMENT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND INSTEAD TRIED TO ARGUE THAT BECAUSE I GOT A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WAS OVER. WHEN I ASKED IF THE SYMPTOMS IN MY CAR MATCHED THOSE THE RECALL WAS MEANT TO FIX, THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THE SYMPTOMS MATCHED. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING B/C A "CODE" DIDN'T TRIP. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RECALL SAYS THAT SOFTWARE UPGRADES "MAY" FIX THE PROBLEM AND SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY THE DRIVER BY BEEPING. MY CAR NEVER BEEPED, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT "MAY" FIX THE PROBLEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR SAFETY! THE STEERING ISSUE SHOULD BE FIXED/REPLACED BY FORD! FORD IS NEGLIGENTLY PUTTING CUSTOMER LIVES IN DANGER. MOREOVER, FORD SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PUSH THE COST OF A MALFUNCTIONING, CORE PRODUCT FEATURE ONTO CUSTOMERS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, AT THE TOP OF THE MARKET PRICE FOR IT, I WAS NOT TOLD "IN 50,000 MILES YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A COMPLETELY NEW STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THIS ONE WILL FAIL AND PEOPLE IN YOUR CAR MAY DIE." PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW FORD IS TRYING TO PUSH RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECALL 14S05 ONTO INDIVIDUAL CAR OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #10874929
92,720 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE, AND ABS SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY. THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE, AND ABS SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS FAULTY. THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED IN 2014 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,720.
NHTSA ODI #10820181
99,500 miles · Sep 28, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
MY PARENTS PURCHASED A 2008 MERCURY MARINER THIS LAST SPRING, AND JUST STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS CUTTING IN AND OUT. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL GARAGE WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM (ERROR CODE THAT CAME UP WAS B1342-2F) AND RECOMMENDED WE REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. SINCE THAT IS A LARGE EXPENSE ($800) I DE…
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MY PARENTS PURCHASED A 2008 MERCURY MARINER THIS LAST SPRING, AND JUST STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS CUTTING IN AND OUT. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL GARAGE WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM (ERROR CODE THAT CAME UP WAS B1342-2F) AND RECOMMENDED WE REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. SINCE THAT IS A LARGE EXPENSE ($800) I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY LOOKED UP OUR VIN AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND THAT THE WORK FOR THE RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING WAS ALREADY DONE. (FORD'S RECALL NUMBER FOR THIS IS 14S05) MY QUESTION IS SINCE WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE (MEANING THE FIX DIDN'T SEEM TO LAST) IS THERE ANY RECOURSE FOR US TO HAVE FORD FIX THE PROBLEM NOW? ALSO, HOW LONG ARE THESE 'FIXES' SUPPOSED TO LAST? THE DATE THE RECALL WAS PUBLISHED BY NHTSA IS 2014-06-05, AND WE ARE ONLY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. I WAS THINKING THAT A RECALL FIX SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. IS NHTSA IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THIS ISSUE?
NHTSA ODI #10778114
94,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
THIS IS REFERENCE TO NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10653141. I DISCOVERED THE JULY 1, 2014 FORD'S SAFETY RECALL 14S05 NOTICE TO ALL US FORD DEALERS. ON PAGE 6 A QUESTION AND ANSWER FOR THE FORD DEALERS FROM FORD'S SERVICE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS, REVEALS FORD NEVER ATTENDED THE REPROGRAMMING THE MODULES TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALL FOR ELECTRON…
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THIS IS REFERENCE TO NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10653141. I DISCOVERED THE JULY 1, 2014 FORD'S SAFETY RECALL 14S05 NOTICE TO ALL US FORD DEALERS. ON PAGE 6 A QUESTION AND ANSWER FOR THE FORD DEALERS FROM FORD'S SERVICE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS, REVEALS FORD NEVER ATTENDED THE REPROGRAMMING THE MODULES TO FIX THE SAFETY RECALL FOR ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FOR ESCAPES AND MARINERS 2008-2011 MODELS. THIS IS THE EXCERPTS FROM THIS DOCUMENT TILTED JULY 1, 2014 TO: ALL US FORD AND LINCOLN DEALERS SUBJECT SAFETY RECALL 14S05. Q3. WHAT DOES THE SOFTWARE UPDATES DO? A. THE SOFTWARE UPDATES MAY EXTEND THE TIME STEERING ASSIST IS MAINTAINED. IN ADDITION, THE UPDATE PROVIDES INCREASED DRIVER AWARENESS BY SOUNDING A CHIME AND DISPLAYING THE WRENCH LIGHT OR WARNING IN THE MESSAGE CENTER WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED. Q4. WHAT IF A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AFTER THE MODULES HAVE BEEN REPROGRAMMED? A. THE MODULES WERE REPROGRAMMED TO PREVENT SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SOFTWARE UPDATE WILL PROVIDE AUDIBLE AND VISUAL INDICATIONS TO THE DRIVER IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A TORQUE SENSOR FAULT. ANY SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ASSIST REPAIRS EXPERIENCED AFTER COMPLETION OF MODULE REPROGRAMMING ARE NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. Q5. WHAT SHOULD I TELL A CUSTOMER WHO EXPERIENCES LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED? A. THE MODULES WERE REPROGRAMMED TO PREVENT SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING IN THE EVENT OF A TORQUE SENSOR FAULT. CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN OR TORQUE SENSOR IS AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670633
Official recalls
3Sep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
May 29, 2014
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
2DP15001 · 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
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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