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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

19 reports
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90,000 miles · Apr 21, 2019
Unknown Or Other

EVERYTIME I TRY TO FILL GAS, THE PUMPS KEEP SHUTTING OFF. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW I DO IT OR THE ANGLE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS ISSUES, THEY LOOKED ONLINE IN THEIR MECHANIC WEBSITE AND SEEN THAT THE FUEL NOZZILS FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES OFTEN NEED TO BE REPLACED …

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EVERYTIME I TRY TO FILL GAS, THE PUMPS KEEP SHUTTING OFF. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW I DO IT OR THE ANGLE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS ISSUES, THEY LOOKED ONLINE IN THEIR MECHANIC WEBSITE AND SEEN THAT THE FUEL NOZZILS FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES OFTEN NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SHAPE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IF A PROBLEM IS CAUSED DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, THEN I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. IT'S A VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM. IT CAN TAKE 5-10 MINUTES TO FILL TANK COMPLETELY AND WHEN IN NEGATIVE TEMPERATURES, THAT'S A LONG TIME TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11202753

180,000 miles · Nov 28, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BARBER FORD IN HOLLAND, MI (640 E 8TH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11051060

149,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
EngineSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrash

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON HER WAY HOME, AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE STEERING FELT WEIRD, AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES (DUE TO ENGINE SHUTTING OFF) AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10914078

250,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE CPU UNIT HAS HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE AND THE A NEW REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. VEHICLE YEAR IS A 2008. THE PROBLEM STARTED TO BECOME HARD TO START THE COMPLETE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10882648

85,061 miles · Feb 6, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THROTTLE BODY STICKING, CAR PEDAL WOULD BE PUSHED DOWN AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE THEN PUSH A LITTLE HARDER AND THE CAR WOULD JUMP FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR HAS BEEN STOPPED AND THEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN AGAIN TO TAKE OFF, SUCH AS AT STOP SIGNS, PARKING LOTS, DRIVE WAYS AND SO FORTH. TOOK CAR IN AND AT THE FIRST …

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THROTTLE BODY STICKING, CAR PEDAL WOULD BE PUSHED DOWN AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE THEN PUSH A LITTLE HARDER AND THE CAR WOULD JUMP FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR HAS BEEN STOPPED AND THEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN AGAIN TO TAKE OFF, SUCH AS AT STOP SIGNS, PARKING LOTS, DRIVE WAYS AND SO FORTH. TOOK CAR IN AND AT THE FIRST VISIT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEY JUST CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, WHEN IT CONTINUED TO STICK WE TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS DUE TO THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS OUT . THIS ONE LASTED TILL JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT ON THE PART , THEN IT STARTED STICKING AGAIN. IT APPEARS TO STICK MORE IN COLD WEATHER . WE HAVE NOT REPLACED IT AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE COST OF THE PART AND THE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT SEEM TO LAST MUCH OVER A YEAR AT A TIME. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE , BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS PART EVERY YEAR . FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM FOR OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL . WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART?

NHTSA ODI #10824629

85,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED LAST YEAR. MY VEHICLE STARTING HAVING LONG SHIFTS AND WOULD STALL ON ME WHEN AT LOW SPEED. I TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER THAT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE TUBE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE YOUR TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. I WAS TOLD TO CALL FORD FOR THE REPAIR OF THE…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED LAST YEAR. MY VEHICLE STARTING HAVING LONG SHIFTS AND WOULD STALL ON ME WHEN AT LOW SPEED. I TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER THAT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE TUBE AND ULTIMATELY CAUSE YOUR TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. I WAS TOLD TO CALL FORD FOR THE REPAIR OF THE TUBE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WASN'T FOR MY CAR (VIN SPECIFIC) ALTHOUGH THE RECALL WAS FOR 2008 MERCURY MARINERS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WOULDN'T HONOR MY VEHICLE IF MINE IS A 2008 MARINER AND HAS THE PROBLEM THAT IS IN THE RECALL. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH I JUST PURCHASED THE AUTO THAT IF IF IT I HAD ANY EXPIRED RECALLS ON IT THAT IT WOULDN'T BE FIXED. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO MANAGER OR SUPERVISOR AND SHE SAID IT WOULDN'T HELP. THIS IS A FORD POLICY AND IT WON'T BE CHANGED.

NHTSA ODI #10724048

69,286 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE STALLED ON HIGHWAY AND WILL NOT START BACK UP IMMEDIATELY AND WHEN IT DOES IT RUNS VERY ROUGH I BELIEVE IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638566

61,830 miles · May 14, 2014
EngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 22 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED DROPPING. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE TACHOMETER REACHED ZERO AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WHEN I TRI…

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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ROUTE 22 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE THROTTLE STOPPED RESPONDING AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED DROPPING. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE TACHOMETER REACHED ZERO AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. I COASTED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER AND START UP, HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER I LET GO OF THE KEY, THE TACHOMETER WOULD DRIFT BACK DOWN TO ZERO AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. AFTER A FEW MORE FAILED ATTEMPTS, I CALLED FOR A TOW. SINCE THIS OCCURRED AFTER HOURS, NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING. IN THE MORNING WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SHOW THE TECHNICIAN THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AS IT DID THE EVENING BEFORE, THEN THE TACHOMETER STARTED DIPPING BACK DOWN, THEN JUST BEFORE IT STALLED, THE TACHOMETER FLUTTERED A LITTLE, THEN THE ENGINE REVVED BACK UP AND BEGAN IDLING NORMALLY. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO EVENTS LOGGED IN THE VEHICLES COMPUTER TO GIVE HIM AN IDEA OF WHAT CAUSED THE SUDDEN STALLING, AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANY OBVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME WITHOUT REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN WARNED ME THAT IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS THEY SEE IT WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING. NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND THAT IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, OR WORSE. I READ AN ARTICLE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL STATING THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY OF THIS VEHICLE THAT CAUSES SUDDEN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING. FORD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON CERTAIN VEHICLES FOR THIS PIECE, HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MENTIONED CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13N03, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588259

4,061 miles · Aug 28, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TRAVELING THROUGH WILLIAMSBURG, VA EN ROUTE TO VACATION WHEN POWERTRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND POWER STEERING IS LOST. ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE INTO PARKING LOT TO WAIT FOR TOW. HAD TO FIND A WAY TO GET TO THE OPEN RENTAL LOCATIONS TO CONTINUE ON TRIP, UNLOAD ALL LUGGAGE INCLUDING A LOADED ROOF RACK INTO PARKING LOT AND RELOAD WHE…

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TRAVELING THROUGH WILLIAMSBURG, VA EN ROUTE TO VACATION WHEN POWERTRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND POWER STEERING IS LOST. ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE INTO PARKING LOT TO WAIT FOR TOW. HAD TO FIND A WAY TO GET TO THE OPEN RENTAL LOCATIONS TO CONTINUE ON TRIP, UNLOAD ALL LUGGAGE INCLUDING A LOADED ROOF RACK INTO PARKING LOT AND RELOAD WHEN RENTAL ARRIVES AN HOUR LATER. CAR WAS TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO THE CLOSEST MERCURY DEALER WHO DETERMINES THE PROBLEM WAS AN INCORRECTLY SEATED CONNECTOR PIN. DEALER SECURED PIN AND PERFORMED TEST ON POWER STEERING MODULE THAT RECEIVED A PASS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201058

Official recalls

3

15V606000 · 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

2

DP15001 · 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