NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
461 reports110,000 miles · Feb 19, 2018
Steering
MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I TURNED IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. BOTH PLACES STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL PROBLEM. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH THE 2008 MERCURY MARINER DOES HAVE A RECALL ON IT FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE, HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT BEING WARRANTED FOR …
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MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I TURNED IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. BOTH PLACES STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL PROBLEM. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH THE 2008 MERCURY MARINER DOES HAVE A RECALL ON IT FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE, HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT BEING WARRANTED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE, WHICH POSSIBLY COULD'VE CAUSED A HARMFUL SITUATION TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD DRIVING. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HARMED WHILE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, BUT THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER SHOULD NOT BE COVERED. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS IT IS A COSTLY INCONVENIENCE THAT 100% SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL AS STATED ONLINE THAT THESE VEHICLES ALL HAVE THE SAME POWER STEERING ISSUE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #11073617
135,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Service Brakes
TAKATA RECALL MY ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND IF I DRIVE IT WITH THESE LIGHTS ON I SMELL MY BREAK PADS BURNING. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND IT WOULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $5,885.00 TO REPLACE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THERE A…
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TAKATA RECALL MY ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND IF I DRIVE IT WITH THESE LIGHTS ON I SMELL MY BREAK PADS BURNING. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND IT WOULD COST ME UPWARDS OF $5,885.00 TO REPLACE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FORD ESCAPES. (WHICH IS BASICALLY THE SAME VEHICLE. IF THERE ARE THIS MANY COMPLAINTS MAYBE ITS WORTH LOOKING INTO ON DOTS PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SURE CONSIDERING MY BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. I CAN TURN MY SUV OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY AND THEN PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND START IT AGAIN UNTIL THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE. BUT WHEN I FIRST GET IN THE VEHICLE AND START IT THE LIGHTS DO IN FACT COME ON. PLEASE HELP ALL CONSUMERS WITH THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED ALREADY ON FORD/MERCURY'S HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT.
NHTSA ODI #11073243
85,850 miles · Feb 6, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,850.
NHTSA ODI #11067227
143,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Steering
A MESSAGE SAYING 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY NOTICEABLY, ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS ABOUT TO QUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2014 FOR RECALL 14S05 AND THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY DID THEIR SOFTWARE UPDATE. NOW THEY SAY IT IS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING TO…
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A MESSAGE SAYING 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VERY NOTICEABLY, ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS ABOUT TO QUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2014 FOR RECALL 14S05 AND THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY DID THEIR SOFTWARE UPDATE. NOW THEY SAY IT IS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR NEEDING REPLACING WHICH IS THE EXACT RECALL 14S05. THEY ARE NOT HONORING IT BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN PREVIOUSLY EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED, ONLY BANDAGED SO THEY CAN CHARGE ME $650 LATER ON. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY FORCING PEOPLE TO PAY FOR. THERE IS A FACEBOOK POST REGARDING THIS VERY THING.
NHTSA ODI #11065764
136,000 miles · Jan 28, 2018
Steering
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN PARKED OR DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL ASSIST FAULT LIGHT COMES ON.
NHTSA ODI #11065544
144,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET. THE LOCAL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING) DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #11064814
100,000 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE SO I TOOK TO 3 MECHANICS WHICH ALL SAID THE SAME THING THAT IT WAS MY POWER STEERING AND HAS A RECALL CODE OF 14S05. THEN ON PLACE SAID THEY CAN FIX BUT THEN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T AFTER CHARGING ME $700 FOR A NEW SENSOR, THEN TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO FORD. WHEN CONTACTED FORD THEY AGREED IT…
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THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE SO I TOOK TO 3 MECHANICS WHICH ALL SAID THE SAME THING THAT IT WAS MY POWER STEERING AND HAS A RECALL CODE OF 14S05. THEN ON PLACE SAID THEY CAN FIX BUT THEN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T AFTER CHARGING ME $700 FOR A NEW SENSOR, THEN TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO FORD. WHEN CONTACTED FORD THEY AGREED IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE OF MY "VIN" NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOW DOES THIS WORK IF PROBLEMS ARE KNOWN WHY AREN'T ALL "VIN" NUMBERS HONORED IN THE RECALL TO GET FIXED?
NHTSA ODI #11063559
217,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 14S05 AND SAID RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014 IN VA UNDER THE PREVIOUS OWNER, FORD DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF WHAT "STEP" OR PART OF THE RECALL WAS DONE, THERE ARE 3 PARTS. LESS THAN 4 YEARS, THE RECALLED PART, THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAULTED, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE T…
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MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL 14S05 AND SAID RECALL WORK WAS DONE IN 2014 IN VA UNDER THE PREVIOUS OWNER, FORD DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF WHAT "STEP" OR PART OF THE RECALL WAS DONE, THERE ARE 3 PARTS. LESS THAN 4 YEARS, THE RECALLED PART, THE TORQUE SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAS FAULTED, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT WASN'T REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. SINCE IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE SAID RECALLED PART THAT WAS ORIGINALLY COVERED. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE WHEN THE ASSIST FAULTED CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT AND HAD I BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN ACCIDENT CAUSING. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL WORK SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO REPLACING THE PART SINCE IT WASN'T DONE ORIGINALLY UNDER THE RECALL OR WAS AGAIN REPLACED WITH A FAULTY SENSOR TO FAULT AGAIN WITHIN LESS THAN 4 YEARS
NHTSA ODI #11062109
137,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED, BUT WAS RESET BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED, BUT WAS RESET BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS RESET AND THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF A POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.
NHTSA ODI #11061241
140,000 miles · Dec 29, 2017
Steering
LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. SAW THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET MY VEHICLE LOOKED AT BUT THEY ARE BOOKED 2 WEEKS FULL. ASKED ABOUT RECALL 14S05 BUT THEY TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY GAVE ME THE SAME INFORM…
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LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. SAW THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT". CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET MY VEHICLE LOOKED AT BUT THEY ARE BOOKED 2 WEEKS FULL. ASKED ABOUT RECALL 14S05 BUT THEY TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY GAVE ME THE SAME INFORMATION. CAN NOT DRIVE VEHICLE AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS IN WINTER. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON WITH THE 2008 MERCURY MARINER AND ESPECIALLY ONES THAT WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11057297
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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