NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
461 reports3,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS AN OPEN SPACE IN THE FRONT GRILL MEASURING 30-1/2' LONG X 4' HIGH X 2-1/2 ' 3-1/2' DEEP THAT IS 15' FROM THE ROAD, WHICH HAS NO GUARD OR SHIELD TO PROTECT IT FROM SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS FLYING OFF OF THE ROAD. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER GAP ABOVE THIS WHERE DEBRIS CAN HIT THE A/C CONDENSER THAT IS 28' LONG X 1-1/2' HIGH. DEA…
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THERE IS AN OPEN SPACE IN THE FRONT GRILL MEASURING 30-1/2' LONG X 4' HIGH X 2-1/2 ' 3-1/2' DEEP THAT IS 15' FROM THE ROAD, WHICH HAS NO GUARD OR SHIELD TO PROTECT IT FROM SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS FLYING OFF OF THE ROAD. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER GAP ABOVE THIS WHERE DEBRIS CAN HIT THE A/C CONDENSER THAT IS 28' LONG X 1-1/2' HIGH. DEALER CLAIMED A ROCK FLEW OFF THE ROAD AN PUT A HOLE IN THE A/C CONDENSER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3,000 MILES AND WAS A COUPLE MONTHS OLD. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR CONDENSER. CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266510
35,800 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND TEMPORARILY TIE THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND TEMPORARILY TIE THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER HINGE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,800. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/19/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10259461
12,000 miles · Feb 11, 2009
Tires
TIRES CONTINUALLY GET LOUDER AS MORE MILES ARE PUT ON THEM. IT IS A WHINING NOISE AND YOU CAN HARDLY TALK NORMAL OR LISTEN TO THE RADIO WITHOUT TURNING THE VOLUME LOUD. STARTED COMPLAINING TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH ABOUT 12,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258378
18,300 miles · Dec 24, 2008
Power Train
HYBRID VERSION OF 2008 MERCURY MARINER SUV INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF (2) DASHBOARD WARNING LAMPS: MULTIPLE APPEARANCES OF "YELLOW WRENCH" SYMBOL @ L/EDGE INSTRUMENT PANEL - MANUAL VAGUE, FORD SVC WRITER SAYS LAMP INDICATES FAULT DETECTED IN ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED CVT (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION); CLEARS WITH SHU…
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HYBRID VERSION OF 2008 MERCURY MARINER SUV INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF (2) DASHBOARD WARNING LAMPS: MULTIPLE APPEARANCES OF "YELLOW WRENCH" SYMBOL @ L/EDGE INSTRUMENT PANEL - MANUAL VAGUE, FORD SVC WRITER SAYS LAMP INDICATES FAULT DETECTED IN ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED CVT (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION); CLEARS WITH SHUT-DOWN/RESTART. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO SCHEDULE PROMPT DIAGNOSTIC, CLAIMING ONLY ONE TECH/TOOL. HAS NOT RECURRED IN ~ 45 DAYS. TODAY (12-24-08), THE RED TRIANGLE WARNING @ RIGHT EDGE OF INST PANEL CAME ON AFTER COLD-START & DRIVING <100 FEET - ACCOMPANIED BY INFO TEXT WARNING TO `MAKE IMMEDIATE SAFE STOP'. OWNERS MANUAL LINKS LAMP TO POSSIBLE SAFETY OF HIGH-VOLT HYBRID ELECTRIC SYSTEM, BUT RUNNING DRIVER'S SYSTEM CHECK SHOWED NO SYSTEM PROBLEMS. LAMP CLEARED ON SHUT-DOWN/RESTART, HAS NOT REAPPEARED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252764
1,094 miles · Nov 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND PROCEEDING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND PROCEEDING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WITH A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,094 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 12/1/08 *CN UPDATED 12/05/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10247862
1,094 miles · Oct 29, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND STALLED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING ON THE INST…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND STALLED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE OIL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,094 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
NHTSA ODI #10247136
11,832 miles · Oct 26, 2008
Tires
IN JULY 2008 , "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" LIGHT BECAME PRESENT. UPON PLACING AIR IN LEFT-REAR TIRE A CRACK/ LEAK IN VALVE STEM BECAME PRESENT. VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2008 SAME ISSUE OCCURRED WITH RIGHT REAR STEM. TODAY, OCTOBER 26TH 2008 THE ISSUE OCCURRED WITH THE RIGHT FRONT VALVE STEM. ALL VALVE STEMS ON MY VEHICLE HA…
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IN JULY 2008 , "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" LIGHT BECAME PRESENT. UPON PLACING AIR IN LEFT-REAR TIRE A CRACK/ LEAK IN VALVE STEM BECAME PRESENT. VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. IN AUGUST 2008 SAME ISSUE OCCURRED WITH RIGHT REAR STEM. TODAY, OCTOBER 26TH 2008 THE ISSUE OCCURRED WITH THE RIGHT FRONT VALVE STEM. ALL VALVE STEMS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246773
34,000 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL ROUGHNESS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS IN THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE IN WHICH THE MANUFACT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL ROUGHNESS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS IN THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE IN WHICH THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED TSB NUMBER 10022282 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES) IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT UPDATED COMPLAINT ON DECEMBER 26, 2008 TO INCLUDE FAILURE WITH THE POWER STEERING IDLE OF PULLEY AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10243195
4,120 miles · Mar 25, 2008
Electrical System
NEW 2008 MERCURY MARINER INTERMITTENT WILL NOT START OR HARD TO START AND WHEN STARTS EMITS HEAVY BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. WHEN CAR DID NOT START LEFT DAUGHTER IN A UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP, SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADMITTED FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CAR BULLETIN # 60…
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NEW 2008 MERCURY MARINER INTERMITTENT WILL NOT START OR HARD TO START AND WHEN STARTS EMITS HEAVY BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. WHEN CAR DID NOT START LEFT DAUGHTER IN A UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. TOOK CAR TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP, SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADMITTED FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CAR BULLETIN # 6023000 AND # 20140. DEALERSHIP ALSO ADMITTED FORD HAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. CAR IS UNSAFE AND CAN LEAVE THE DRIVER IN A DEADLY SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222323
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
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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