Ford recalled approximately 1,600,000 vehicles fitted with an electronic throttle body under a customer satisfaction program. This program extends the warranty of the throttle body by 10 years or 150,000 miles.
In February of 2013, the NHTSA opened an investigation after thousands complained about losing power to the engine in their vehicles. The Ford Escape, Fusion, Mercury Milan and Mercury Mariner vehicles equipped with the 2.5 or 3.0 liter engines, many of which were produced between 2009 and 2013, were affected by this issue. Some owners claimed that the vehicles would completely lose power, but after the investigation, the vehicles were identified as entering a "limp home mode." This mode would allow vehicles to continue moving, but at a much slower speed. The cause of this was later found to be electrical connectivity problems in the connections for the throttle body.
Ford's customer satisfaction program slightly differs from a full recall because drivers are not asked to have the vehicle sent in immediately. Instead, the program offers a warranty that is only available after there is a known issue taking place which could put drivers at risk. The NHTSA's decision to allow this program has received criticism, and it is argued that a full recall was in fact necessary in this situation.
