NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
297 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) WAS PERFORMED ON 9/11/2014. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10818342
141,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
NHTSA ODI #10818116
100,000 miles · Jan 4, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10817532
185,000 miles · Jan 4, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START EXPERIENCING ISSUES UNTIL AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START EXPERIENCING ISSUES UNTIL AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
NHTSA ODI #10817522
135,000 miles · Jan 4, 2016
Steering
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ERROR CODE APPEARED 12/27/15 WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT CHANGING LANES AND TURNING PLUS ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE ESPECIALLY FROM A STANDING/STOPPED POSITION
NHTSA ODI #10817515
240,049 miles · Jan 4, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,049.
NHTSA ODI #10817506
96,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE UPDATE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V28…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE UPDATE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10811500
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10810996
126,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Steering
SPRING OF 2014 IS WHEN THE POWER STEERING HAD BEGAN TO GO OUT RANDOMLY AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON ONCE YOU SHUT THE IGNITION OF AND RESTARTED IT. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RECALL TO BE ESTABLISHED BECAUSE THEY DIDN…
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SPRING OF 2014 IS WHEN THE POWER STEERING HAD BEGAN TO GO OUT RANDOMLY AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON ONCE YOU SHUT THE IGNITION OF AND RESTARTED IT. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RECALL TO BE ESTABLISHED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE SOFTWARE TO FIX IT. JULY OF 2014 A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. I DIDN'T HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED UNTIL DECEMBER 4TH 2014 AND WHEN THEY HOOKED THE COMPUTER TO THE MARINER THEY WERE ADVISED TO REPROGRAM IT AND THEN THE RECALL WOULD BE COMPLETE. IT WORKED JUST FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS LIKE BEFORE FOR ONLY MONTH. THEN ON JANUARY 2ND WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW AT NIGHT THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. WE TAKE IT BACK IN AND WE FIND OUT THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED COSTING US 912.65!! THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY TALKED TO FORD CORPORATION ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO BUT THEY RESPONDED THAT SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY THE BILL BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN (YOU WHO IS READING THIS, I ASSUME, KNOWS THIS IS JUST A LOAD OF CRAP!) NOW ITS NOVEMBER 2015 AND STILL NO NEW NEWS ON HOW THIS INVESTIGATION IS GOING BUT I ENCOURAGE WE GET THE WORD OUT AND HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WRITE COMPLAINTS!
NHTSA ODI #10788919
127,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Steering
STEERING TORK SENSOR AND MOTOR IMPROPERLY DETECTS INPUTS, CAUSED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MARINER HAD BEEN RECALLED IN SUMMER OF 2014, RECALL # 14S05, JUST SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. SOFTWARE UPDATE ONLY DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.. THIS FAILURE IS LIFE THREATING. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A PETITION AND …
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STEERING TORK SENSOR AND MOTOR IMPROPERLY DETECTS INPUTS, CAUSED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MARINER HAD BEEN RECALLED IN SUMMER OF 2014, RECALL # 14S05, JUST SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. SOFTWARE UPDATE ONLY DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.. THIS FAILURE IS LIFE THREATING. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A PETITION AND REQUEST A HEARING FOR DETERMINATION FROM NHTSA REGARDING WHETHER FORD ADEQUATELY MET ITS OBLIGATION TO REMEDY RECALL 14S05.
NHTSA ODI #10787836
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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