Major carmaker Ford is notifying more than a million of its customers about a potential safety problem, but some safety experts say the notice doesn't go far enough.
At issue is a small car part called a tire valve, which was recalled by two U.S. importers after a rash of complaints by motorists. The parts, made in China, were reportedly prematurely cracking and causing air loss in tires.
Ford agreed to reach out by letter to customers who bought cars that may have one of the valves from the defective batch. The letters, due in mid-May, are now on their way to car owners.
Below is a list of the models involved in the letter campaign:
| Vehicle | Model Year | Build Dates |
| MKZ | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Escape | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Mariner | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Expedition | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| F-150 | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Montego/Sable | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Focus | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Freestar | 2007 | 11/01/06-11/08/06 |
| Freestyle | 2007 | 11/01/06-04/13/07 |
| Crown Victoria | 2007-2008 | 11/20/06-05/31/07 |
| Grand Marquis | 2007-2008 | 11/20/06-05/31/07 |
| Ranger | 2007-2008 | 11/20/06-05/31/07 |
| Edge | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| MKX | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Navigator | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Fusion | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Milan | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Mark LT Five Hundred & Taurus | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/31/07 |
| Mustang | 2007-2008 | 11/01/06-05/22/07 |
| Taurus X | 2008 | 12/07/06-05/25/07 |
| Sport Trac | 2007-2008 | 11/06/06-05/31/07 |
| Mountaineer | 2007-2008 | 11/06/06-05/31/07 |
| Explorer | 2007-2008 | 11/06/06-05/31/07 |
Advisory on Dill Air Controls Products home page
Report a cracked valve stem to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database.
Read about NHTSA's investigation into cracked tire valve stems.
To read safety advocates
Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.'s letters
and
