NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
66 reportsClear category filter122,834 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH SHIFTING THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERVO ROUTING COVER AND SERVO RING WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH SHIFTING THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERVO ROUTING COVER AND SERVO RING WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,834.
NHTSA ODI #10790668
118,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA ODI #10789406
147,312 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Power Train
WELL I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO GO THEN MY RPM STARTED TO GO UP AND MY MERCURY MARINER DID NOT WANT TO GO NO MORE SO I COASTED TO THE SLOW LANE I REV MY ENGINE WHILE I WAS STILL DRIVE ABOUT ABOUT 1 MIN IN WENT BACK INTO GEAR SO STARTED TO DRIVE AGAIN THE RPM WENT B…
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WELL I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO GO THEN MY RPM STARTED TO GO UP AND MY MERCURY MARINER DID NOT WANT TO GO NO MORE SO I COASTED TO THE SLOW LANE I REV MY ENGINE WHILE I WAS STILL DRIVE ABOUT ABOUT 1 MIN IN WENT BACK INTO GEAR SO STARTED TO DRIVE AGAIN THE RPM WENT BACK UP AND THEN I COASTED TO A STOP ON A BUSY HIGHWAY I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO GET MY FAMILY OUT TO SAFETY SO I WENT BACK TO MY MERCURY MARINER IT WAS IN PARK AND STILL RUNNING AND I NOTICED A YELLOW WRENCH ON THE DASH BOARD SO I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT DID NOT MOVE THEN FOR FIVE MIN TRYING TO GET IT TO MOVE IT WENT INTO GEAR BUT JUST ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY ON TO A BACK STREET SO I TURNED MY MERCURY MARINER OFF SO ABOUT A HALF HOUR WENT BY I STARTED IT UP AND I NOTICE THE YELLOW WRENCH WAS OFF SO THEN IT WENT RIGHT INTO GEAR BUT ABOUT IN ONE MIN IT DID THE SAME THING SO I CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER AND THEN I GOT IT TOWED THERE SO I LET IT SIT FOR AN HOUR THEN I STARTED IT UP AND IT WENT RIGHT INTO GEAR AND ABOUT ONE MIN LATER I HAD NO GEARS BUT I LET IT RUN AND IT WILL GO IN AND OUT OF GEAR SO NOW IT SITS AT MY FAMILY'S HOUSE.
NHTSA ODI #10746896
80,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MILES AN HOUR, STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT, AS I PROCEEDED ON THE GREEN LIGHT, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THEN JOLTED. SUDDENLY, THE WRENCH ICON APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. FROM THAT POINT THE CAR SEEMED TO IDLE, THEN ACCELERATE WITH FORCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706196
93,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Power TrainSteering
I HAD STOPPED BY MY APARTMENT COMPLEX OFFICE TO PICK UP A PACKAGE. I STARTED THE MOTOR AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT. I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT SLOWLY TOWARDS MY APARTMENT TO PARK IT. I RESTARTED THE CAR. ONCE I DID THIS, THE STEERING WAS BEHAVING NORMALLY EXCEPT WHEN IDLING THE…
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I HAD STOPPED BY MY APARTMENT COMPLEX OFFICE TO PICK UP A PACKAGE. I STARTED THE MOTOR AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT. I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT SLOWLY TOWARDS MY APARTMENT TO PARK IT. I RESTARTED THE CAR. ONCE I DID THIS, THE STEERING WAS BEHAVING NORMALLY EXCEPT WHEN IDLING THERE WAS A THUNKING VIBRATION TO WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVING. I HAD REMEMBERED I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE WHICH WAS FOR POWER STEERING. THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED UP THE VIN # AND YES IT WAS A RECALL ITEM. I TOOK IT IN YESTERDAY AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING THE PART. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT A LOT OF THE VIBRATION I HAVE FELT RECENTLY CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING UNIT. THANKFULLY I WAS NEAR HOME. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. IN ADDITION, I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM IN THE MORNINGS ESPECIALLY IN THE COLDER MONTHS WHERE I AM AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND STEP ON THE GAS, THE MOTOR WILL REV UP BUT I DON'T MOVE, THEN A SUDDEN KICK IN OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS SCARY WHEN TRYING TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652453
46,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Power Train
MY 08' MERCURY MARINER HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARDS. IT WORKED IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR IN ORDER TO TURN IT AROUND AND DRIVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISS…
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MY 08' MERCURY MARINER HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARDS. IT WORKED IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR IN ORDER TO TURN IT AROUND AND DRIVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD COST AROUND $3600 FOR MY CAR INCLUDING THE PART AND LABOR. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH MY CAR INVOLVING THE TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT A CAR WITH SUCH FEW MILES ON IT SHOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH ANY OF THESE COSTS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ON MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AFTER SOME RESEARCH AND WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC SHOP THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621162
58,000 miles · May 5, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BALL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BALL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #10586615
44,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Power Train
LOANED THE CAR TO PARENTS TO TAKE TWO 3 YEAR OLDS TO DISNEY WORLD. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AT CRUISING SPEED, CAR STARTED TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE. TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN PADUCAH, KY. FORD CONFIRMED FAILURE. INCIDENT LEFT MY SON, NIE…
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LOANED THE CAR TO PARENTS TO TAKE TWO 3 YEAR OLDS TO DISNEY WORLD. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AT CRUISING SPEED, CAR STARTED TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE. TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN PADUCAH, KY. FORD CONFIRMED FAILURE. INCIDENT LEFT MY SON, NIECE, AND PARENTS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOT SAFE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572797
62,122 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Power Train
YESTERDAY, MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER. I DID SOME RESEARCH THIS MORNING AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARTS. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND I WAS ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRING ALONG WITH BEING ABOVE 60,000.00, I WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO PAY FOR A DEFECT…
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YESTERDAY, MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER. I DID SOME RESEARCH THIS MORNING AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PARTS. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND I WAS ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRING ALONG WITH BEING ABOVE 60,000.00, I WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO PAY FOR A DEFECTED PART ON MY TRUCK. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT DUE TO I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER TRAIN OR I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED TO BRING MY TRUCK IN IMMEDIATELY TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. IN WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT ALL. I SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY TO GET MY CAR FIXED ON A DEFECTED PART THAT WAS SOLD WITH MY CAR.(THE POWER TRAIN). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569009
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainSteering
A COUPLE DAYS AGO I STARTED MY CAR AS USUAL BEFORE GOING TO WORK TO LET IT WARM DUE TO THE WEATHER. AS I STARTED BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE I REALIZED MY STEERING WHEEL ISN'T MOVING LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. I STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THEN IT WAS FINE. AS I'M DRIVING AND GETTING READY TO SWITCH LANES ON THE HI…
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A COUPLE DAYS AGO I STARTED MY CAR AS USUAL BEFORE GOING TO WORK TO LET IT WARM DUE TO THE WEATHER. AS I STARTED BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE I REALIZED MY STEERING WHEEL ISN'T MOVING LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. I STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THEN IT WAS FINE. AS I'M DRIVING AND GETTING READY TO SWITCH LANES ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES IT AGAIN SO I PULL ON THE SHOULDER AND GET OUT THE CAR TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, A MAN PULLS OVER TO HELP ME SEEING AS I'M A WOMAN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IN MY MILITARY UNIFORM. HE SAYS IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER BUT IT SHOULD BE FINE. NOW AFTER 2 OR 3 DAYS THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES AND A RATTLING NOISE OCCURS AT LOW SPEED AND CERTAIN POSITIONS WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED, OR EVEN AT A STANDSTILL POSITION. IT HAS RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST TIME AND ALWAYS WHEN THE CAR STARTS. IT CAN BE STOPPED BY TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING THE CAR. ALSO A WRENCH SHOWS UP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER, AS I READ MY MANUAL COME TO FIND OUT THAT'S FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE READ A LOT OF THE COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS AND HAVE TO WONDER, WILL IT TAKE A DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS FOR FORD TO REALIZE WE'RE NOT MAKING THIS UP AND IT'S NOT DUE TO POOR OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562523
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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