IllustrationOUR MERCURY MARINER STEERING WHEEL IS VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. IT IS DOING THIS BOTH AT IDLE AND WHEN DRIVING. IF YOU TURN THE WHEEL IT WILL STOP BUT THEN YOU ARE ALSO TURNING THE VEHICLE SO THAT IS NOT AN OPTION WHEN DRIVING.
2008 Mercury Mariner
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Mariner years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Mercury Mariner are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mariner years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2125–50K
5150–75K
8075–100K
146100–150K
84150K+
404 reports with mileage · 57 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 297 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
Steering complaints
297 reportsMY POWER STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT IN 2016 AND I HAD IT REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL (14V284000 FROM NHTSA 05/29/2014) AT THE FORD STORE SAN LEANDRO. THE SAME POWER STEERING ASSIST JUST WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE AGAIN 3 DAYS AGO (03/06/2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TORRINGTON FORD (1350 E MAIN ST, TORRINGTON, CT 06790, (860) 489-4133) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TORRINGTON FORD (1350 E MAIN ST, TORRINGTON, CT 06790, (860) 489-4133) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING COLUMN TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR AND ANY SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,900.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE CHECK ENG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED PORCARO FORD (6001 WASHINGTON AVE, RACINE, WI 53406) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING LIGHT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAULT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
I PARKED MY CAR, AND UPON RETURNING I STARTED IT, AND RECEIVED A WARING STATING THAT THERE WAS A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". FROM THAT MOMENT, I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE PLUGGED IN HIS CODE READER AND CLEARED THE CODE, WHICH BROUGHT THE POWER STEERING…
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I PARKED MY CAR, AND UPON RETURNING I STARTED IT, AND RECEIVED A WARING STATING THAT THERE WAS A "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". FROM THAT MOMENT, I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE PLUGGED IN HIS CODE READER AND CLEARED THE CODE, WHICH BROUGHT THE POWER STEERING BACK ON LINE. SOME TIME LATER, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN, TO WHICH MY MECHANIC CLEARED THE WARNING CODE, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BROUGHT BACK ONLINE. THE STEERING ASSIST CONTINUES TO FAIL, AND IT GOT TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE MY MECHANIC CLEAR THE CODE CONTINUALLY. I'VE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH FORD, AND THEY STATE THAT THE POWER STEERING RECALL 14V284000 SERVICE HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED ON MY CAR, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T PREVENT THE LOSS OF THE STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. FORD STATES THAT I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR THE LOSS OF A SYSTEM THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF AS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCT. WHY WOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF FIXING SOMETHING THAT THEIR REPAIR WAS INSUFFICIENT AT PREVENTING? ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING AN ACTUAL SOLUTION TO THE RECALL ITEM, NOT JUST A TEMPORARY FIX TO SATISFY THE RECALL REQUIREMENT? MY MILAGE AND DATES OF OCCURRENCE ARE ESTIMATIONS, AS I DO NOT REMEMBER THE ACTUAL DATE OF THE INITIAL FAILURE.
MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY FUNCTION NORMAL WHEN IT COMES TO THE STEERING AND I JUMPED IN MY CAR THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HEAD TO WORK AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING! FOR NO REASON MY POWER STEERING ASSIST QUITE WORKING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A SERVICE LIGHT ON IN MY CAR SENSE I HAVE OWNED IT BUT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I…
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MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY FUNCTION NORMAL WHEN IT COMES TO THE STEERING AND I JUMPED IN MY CAR THE FOLLOWING DAY TO HEAD TO WORK AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING! FOR NO REASON MY POWER STEERING ASSIST QUITE WORKING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A SERVICE LIGHT ON IN MY CAR SENSE I HAVE OWNED IT BUT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT CAME ON BUT NOW I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I SEEN A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSIST BUT WHEN I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY AREN'T ABLE TO SEE THE RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. RECENTLY, THE POWER ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON START OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. RECENTLY, THE POWER ASSIST FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, GREATER DRIVER EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAFONTAINE FORD OF LANSING (51…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, GREATER DRIVER EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAFONTAINE FORD OF LANSING (5103 S CEDAR ST, LANSING, MI 48911) WHERE AN UPDATE WAS PERFORMED IN THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). RECENTLY, UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE POWER ASSIST FAULT WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHCILE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,271.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,816.
Official recalls
315V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 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.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
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.
14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
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