NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
297 reportsClear category filter139,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014
EngineSteering
DRIVING THE TRUCK THROUGH A DRIVE THRU AT A MCDONALDS WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN BACKSEAT AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AS PROCEEDING THRU DRIVE THRU, ALMOST HITTING THE BUILDING HAVING NO CONTROL OVER TRUCK. VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL/THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL END UP AS A CASUALTY IF …
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DRIVING THE TRUCK THROUGH A DRIVE THRU AT A MCDONALDS WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN BACKSEAT AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AS PROCEEDING THRU DRIVE THRU, ALMOST HITTING THE BUILDING HAVING NO CONTROL OVER TRUCK. VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL/THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE WILL END UP AS A CASUALTY IF THIS PROBLEM WITH STEERING NOT RECALLED BY FORD. I AM A 280 GUY AND COULD BARELY STEER THE TRUCK UNTIL I SHUT IT OF AND RESTARTED IT. ALSO OIL LEAK ON ENGINE FOR MOST OF THESE V6 MARINERS AND ESCAPES IS ABOVE OIL PAN BY HARMONIC BALANCER,FORD REFUSES TO ADMIT THEY DID A HORRIBLE JOB PUTTING TOGETHER THE BOTTOM END OF THESE ENGINES.OVERALL FORD NEEDS TO RECONSIDER WHAT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574678
85,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIGOROUSLY UNTIL THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR ONCE THE WHEEL RETURNED TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIGOROUSLY UNTIL THE WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR ONCE THE WHEEL RETURNED TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10573850
55,350 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Steering
I TOO, HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND AN INCREASINGLY SEVERE "SHAKING" OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT IS WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE GARAGE TOLD ME AFTER CALLING FORD DEALER THAT IT WOUL…
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I TOO, HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND AN INCREASINGLY SEVERE "SHAKING" OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT IS WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE GARAGE TOLD ME AFTER CALLING FORD DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1500 - $2000 WITH LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THIS IS QUITE A COMMON ISSUE FOR '08 ESCAPES AND MARINERS (HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2008/STEERING/POWER_STEERING_FAILURE.SHTML). IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE ON, THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING AND I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND MAKE A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE WHILE STANDING STILL. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. HAVING READ THE VAST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ADDRESSING THIS STEERING PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT THE NHTSA IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR, WHAT SHOULD BE FORDS RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!! YIKES...... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573613
103,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT ,AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST QUIT. THE TURN WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETE AND I ALMOST RAN OVER A GAS STATION SIGN. AFTER WRESTLING THE CAR TO A STOP IN A GAS STATION I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. HE SUGGE…
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WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT ,AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST QUIT. THE TURN WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPLETE AND I ALMOST RAN OVER A GAS STATION SIGN. AFTER WRESTLING THE CAR TO A STOP IN A GAS STATION I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. HE SUGGESTED I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. WHILE ON THE PHONE I RESTARTED THE TRUCK AND THE POWER ASSIST RESUMED WORKING. I RETURNED HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED IF THEY ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONTROL A TRUCK LIKE THIS WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. THE POWER ASSIST HAS QUIT THREE TIMES SINCE AND ONLY MY HUSBAND DRIVES THE VEHICLE NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573469
92,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Steering
DRIVING AND MY WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES A HORRIFYING NOISE. IT'S ALMOST SCARY. SCARED MY WHEELS GOING TO SEIZE WHILE I'M DRIVING. TURN THE CAR ON SOMETIMES AND THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK. HAVE READ MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. $2000 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS RIDICULO…
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DRIVING AND MY WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES A HORRIFYING NOISE. IT'S ALMOST SCARY. SCARED MY WHEELS GOING TO SEIZE WHILE I'M DRIVING. TURN THE CAR ON SOMETIMES AND THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK. HAVE READ MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. $2000 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. NEED A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572510
162,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Steering
DRIVING DOWN ROAD, AT 65 MPH, STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE,AND IS MAKING A CHATTERING NOISE AT BOTTOM OF STEERING COLUMN. STOP VEHICLE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES MORE WITH BRAKE ON. NEXT TIME I START VEHICLE, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. I SHUT OFF VEHICLE, RESTART, THEN THE POWER STEERING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES…
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DRIVING DOWN ROAD, AT 65 MPH, STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO VIBRATE,AND IS MAKING A CHATTERING NOISE AT BOTTOM OF STEERING COLUMN. STOP VEHICLE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES MORE WITH BRAKE ON. NEXT TIME I START VEHICLE, THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. I SHUT OFF VEHICLE, RESTART, THEN THE POWER STEERING WORKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I TALKED TO SERVICE MANGER AT 2 DEALERS, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ONE DEALER WAS GOING TO E-MAIL FORD TO FIND OUT, WAITING FOR A REPLY FROM HIM. I LOOK UP, MERCURY MARINER STEERING PROBLEMS ON INTERNET, THERE ARE THOUSAND OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS APPARENTLY AN ELECTRONIC STEERING SENSOR, IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS BAD. WENT TO FORD DEALER, TALKED TO PARTS PERSON, AND SERVICE MANAGER, THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY FIND A PICTURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT CAN'T FIND A PART NUMBER, SO CAN'T TELL ME A COST OF THE PART. FRUSTRATED. I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566757
130,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Steering
THE 2008 MERCURY MARINER STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE AT LOW MPH OR STOPPED COMPLETELY. INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. CONCERN THAT IT WILL LOOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING THOUGH IT HAS NOT HAPPENED YET. HOPE THERE IS ENOUGH AWARENESS THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THIS AND ISSUES A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566248
69,800 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK BEFORE SEIZING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK BEFORE SEIZING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,800.
NHTSA ODI #10566104
69,800 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Steering
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND IT LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND IT LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,800. RK
NHTSA ODI #10565926
75,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND AN INCREASINGLY SEVERE "SHAKING" OF OUR STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT IS WORKING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE PART ALONE IS $900, $1,400 W…
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OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND AN INCREASINGLY SEVERE "SHAKING" OF OUR STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT IS WORKING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE PART ALONE IS $900, $1,400 WITH LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THIS IS QUITE A COMMON ISSUE FOR '08 ESCAPES AND MARINERS (HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2008/STEERING/POWER_STEERING_FAILURE.SHTML). IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. IT HAS NOT GONE OUT MID-DRIVE FOR US YET, BUT HAVE READ OF THAT HAPPENING TO PEOPLE. FOR US, WHEN WE TURN THE VEHICLE ON, THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING AND WE HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN 1-3 TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK. AND THEN THERE IS A SEVERE "SHAKING" WHILE DRIVING. I AM SHOCKED THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR THESE VERY POPULAR CARS. WE DRIVE A 3 YEAR OLD AND 5 MONTH OLD IN OUR CAR. WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS TYPE OF REPAIR, BUT CLEARLY CANNOT AFFORD TO DRIVE OUR CHILDREN IN THE CARS VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565655
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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