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
What owners actually said
461 reports
92,000 miles · Oct 22, 2013
Steering
AS DRIVING I WENT TO TURN RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED, IT WAS LIKE AN OLD CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. BETWEEN ABRUPTLY FORCING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND TRYING TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I MANAGED TO GO ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO A FARMERS FIELD ( GOOD THING I BOUGHT IT WITH AWD). WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE…
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AS DRIVING I WENT TO TURN RIGHT WHEN THE STEERING FAILED, IT WAS LIKE AN OLD CAR WITH MANUAL STEERING. BETWEEN ABRUPTLY FORCING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND TRYING TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, I MANAGED TO GO ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO A FARMERS FIELD ( GOOD THING I BOUGHT IT WITH AWD). WHEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WORKED FINE. AFTER READING SIMILAR SCENARIOS ON THE INTERNET. I THEN LATER CONTACTED FORD CARE AND THE WONDERFUL PERSONNEL TRIED TO TELL ME THAT IT IS NOT A CONCERN OF FORD SINCE IT NOT AN ISSUE FOR FORD AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OF STEERING SEEMS TO BE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES A VEHICLE IN MY OPINION. THE WORST PART OF THIS ISSUE IS I DEAL DIRECTLY WITH AN AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER OF STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLIES TO FORD AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS IN INDIANA. BY KNOWING WHAT IS UNDER PLASTIC AND FORD TELLING ME I NEED TO REPLACE IT, I ASK WHAT QUALITY IS IN THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549008
92,924 miles · Oct 19, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
THE THROTTLE/GAS PEDAL IN MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER KEPT STICKING AND EVENTUALLY BREAKING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE CABLE UNHOOKED FROM THE PEDAL WHEN THE TECHNICIAN HOOKED THE CABLE THROTTLE TO THE PEDAL IT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE PEDAL, THE THROTTLE PLATE STUCK. THE…
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THE THROTTLE/GAS PEDAL IN MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER KEPT STICKING AND EVENTUALLY BREAKING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE CABLE UNHOOKED FROM THE PEDAL WHEN THE TECHNICIAN HOOKED THE CABLE THROTTLE TO THE PEDAL IT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE PEDAL, THE THROTTLE PLATE STUCK. THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MY ISSUE IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS A FORD ESCAPE RECALL BACK IN JULY 2012. IS THIS SOMETHING I CAN CONTACT FORD ABOUT TO SEE IF THIS SHOULD ALSO BE PART OF THEIR THROTTLE CABLE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548555
82,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND THE GAS PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD INCREASE THE POWER. I HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO GET MY VEHICLE SAFETY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS THE SECOND TIME THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IN THIS VEHICLE HAS SNAPPED WITHOUT…
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND THE GAS PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD INCREASE THE POWER. I HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO GET MY VEHICLE SAFETY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS THE SECOND TIME THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IN THIS VEHICLE HAS SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MY DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST CABLE LAST YEAR AND JUST OVER ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME CABLE HAS SNAPPED. I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO PANIC AND WAS ABLE TO BRING MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CABLE SNAPPED TWICE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE KILLED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY DEALER IS REPLACING THE CABLE UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT ARE CHARGING ME TO REPLACE THEIR DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BOX. FORD/MERCURY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL MARINERS AND FORD ESCAPES ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542932
83,600 miles · Sep 4, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS STRUCK BY A CHEVY ASTRO CARGO VAN GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY (D.C. BELTWAY) AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A MARYLAND STATE TROOPER (WHO SAW THE CAR) AND THE MECHANIC AT THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BOTH SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. BOTH SAID IF…
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DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS STRUCK BY A CHEVY ASTRO CARGO VAN GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY (D.C. BELTWAY) AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A MARYLAND STATE TROOPER (WHO SAW THE CAR) AND THE MECHANIC AT THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BOTH SAID THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. BOTH SAID IF THE AIRBAGS HAD WORKED, THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE AS SEVERELY INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10541937
87,500 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND WAS HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,500.
NHTSA ODI #10525076
108,002 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. ONE OF THOUSANDS OF MARINERS AND ESCAPES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. COSTS $1400 TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522990
84,000 miles · May 22, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10513139
59,416 miles · Apr 12, 2013
Power Train
I WAS PULLING INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED ENGAGING. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO A SPACE. MECHANIC CONFIRMS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE, I CALLED MERCURY/FORD AND HAD TO REFERENCE THE CASE # MYSELF FOR THEM TO FI…
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I WAS PULLING INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED ENGAGING. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO A SPACE. MECHANIC CONFIRMS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE, I CALLED MERCURY/FORD AND HAD TO REFERENCE THE CASE # MYSELF FOR THEM TO FIND IT. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMED THAT MY VEHICLE MET THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (CSP: 09B10) - ALL THE WAY DOWN TO A SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING PLANT UP TO A SPECIFIC MONTH AND DATE BUT BECAUSE THEY STOPPED HONORING THOSE IN 2011 I AM NOT ELIGIBLE. I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAD NO WAY TO KNOW THIS WAS A HAZARD, NOT WAS THE DEALER AWARE AS FORD/MERCURY HAD APPARENTLY REMOVED THE CSP NUMBER FROM THE FILES ONCE IT EXPIRED. THIS IS PROVEN BY THE FACT THAT FORD/MERCURY'S OWN REPRESENTATIVE DIDN'T' SEE IT LINKED TO MY VEHICLE, I HAD TO MENTION IT SPECIFICALLY AND THEN SHE CONFIRMED THAT IT DID APPLY TO MY VEHICLE AND WAS UNASSOCIATED WITH IT AT EXPIRATION. AS SUCH, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHETHER THIS WAS ADDRESSED OR EVEN AN ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS HAD IT BEEN 20 MINUTES EARLIER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, MY 3 1/2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY!! VERY DANGEROUS! FORD/MERCURY SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL THIS ITEM, WHICH IS CLEARLY A KNOWN MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $2000 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT THEY DID INCORRECTLY FROM THE FIRST AND POSES A GREAT SAFETY RISK! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508041
42,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE BAND, PUMP AND THE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE BAND, PUMP AND THE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505271
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR
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.
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.
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
2008 Mercury Mariner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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