23S36 – Left and Right Front Door Latch Replacement – 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Ford Motor Company Submission Date : JUL 21, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-502 Manufacturer Recall No. : 23S36 Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Ford Motor Company Address : 330 Town Center Drive Suite 500 Dearborn MI 48126-2738 Company phone : 1-866-436-7332 Population : Number of potentially involved : 112,225 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : Power Train : NR Descriptive Information : The recalled part was introduced into production on 08/09/2013 and was taken out of production on 02/01/2016. These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database. Production Dates : AUG 09, 2013 – FEB 01, 2016 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Defect : Description of the Defect : The front door latch pawl spring tab design is susceptible to cracking and failure over time. A door latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a “door will not close” condition. FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : A door latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a “door will not close” condition. In the event that the customer is able to latch the door after repeated attempts to shut the door, there is potential that the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury. Description of the Cause : The latch pawl spring tab design is susceptible to cracking and failure over time. Contributing factors are production and material variability, higher Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 ambient temperatures, and solar loading. Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : Difficulty latching a door while closing or a door that rebound while attempting to shut it, or repeated efforts needed to engage a broken latch would be an overt signal to the customer that the latch needs service. A door that is unlatched while driving may be accompanied by a ”door ajar” indicator light, chime, dome light illumination and/or increased wind noise. Involved Components : Component Name 1 : LAT ASY FRT DR LH Component Description : Core LH Driver C1A Latch Component Part Number : DT1A-V21813-B Component Name 2 : LAT ASY FRT DR RH Component Description : Core RH Passenger C1A Latch Component Part Number : DT1A-V21812-A Component Name 3 : LAT ASY FRT DR RH Component Description : Core RH Passenger C1A Latch Component Part Number : DT1A-V21812-B Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : Kiekert Address : 46941 Liberty Drive Wixom Michigan 48393 Country : United States Chronology : On May 23, 2023, an issue pertaining to NHTSA-provided Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for 2014-2016 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Transit Connect Front Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Fractures was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for review. From May-June 2023, Ford reviewed the different door latches used on the MY 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles, and previous Ford recalls for other vehicles with C1A latches. This review included 15V-246 (15S16), 16V-643 (16S30), 20V-177 (20S15), and 20V-331 (20S30) recalls. Transit Connect vehicles use “C1A” door latches manufactured by two (2) different suppliers: The front door latches are supplied by Kiekert – Czech Republic plant. The sliding door latches are supplied by Brose – Czech Republic plant. The CCRG found that the warranty rates (doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening) for the Transit Connect “C1A” front door latches produced in Kiekert – Czech Republic are lower than warranty rates for similar “C1A” front door latches produced in Kiekert – Puebla Mexico included in previous FSAs. Transit Connect is the only vehicle line in North America that uses “C1A” front door latches produced at Kiekert – Czech Republic Plant. As of May 30, 2023, Ford is aware of 21 warranty claims and four VOQs relating to the Front Door latches on 2014-16 Transit Connect failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening. There have been no VOQs to date since Permanent Corrective Action (PCA) clean point implemented on Transit Connect on February 1, 2016. On July 14, 2023, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to this concern. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the front door latches inspected and replaced. There will be no charge for this service. Ford provided the general reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by vehicle owners prior to notification of a safety recall in May 2023. Ford will forward a copy of the notification letters to dealers to the agency when available. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : The remedy door latch has a modified spring pawl tab, increasing the strength of the tab when exposed to areas of high ambient temperature and solar loading. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 Page 4 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : Not required per 49 Part 573. Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Notification to dealers is expected to occur on July 25, 2023. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin August 28, 2023 and is expected to be completed by September 1, 2023. Planned Dealer Notification Date : JUL 25, 2023 – JUL 25, 2023 Planned Owner Notification Date : AUG 28, 2023 – SEP 01, 2023 * NR – Not Reported

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Ó Copyright 2023 Ford Motor Company Stacy L. Balzer Ford Motor Company Operating Director P. O. Box 1904 Service Engineering Operations Dearborn, Michigan 48121 Ford Customer Service Division July 25, 2023 TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers SUBJECT: NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Advance Notice – Safety Recall 23S36 Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Transit Connect Vehicles Left and Right Front Door Latch Replacement AFFECTED VEHICLES Vehicle Model Year Assembly Plant Build Dates Transit Connect 2014-2016 Valencia August 9, 2013 through February 1, 2016 US population of affected vehicles: 109,958. Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists. REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL In the affected vehicles, the front door latches have a pawl spring tab that may break. This condition will typically prevent the door from latching. If the customer is able to latch the door after repeated attempts to shut the door, there is potential the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury. SERVICE ACTION DO NOT DEMONSTRATE OR DELIVER any new in-stock vehicles involved in this safety recall. A complete Dealer Bulletin will be provided to dealers when parts ordering information and repair instructions are available to support this safety recall. IMPORTANT: Dealers should open a Repair Order (RO) only when a full dealer bulletin is published. Opening an RO against an Awareness or Advance Notice will result in warranty rejections against a recall. CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION Owners of record will be notified via first-class mail after repair instructions and parts ordering information have been provided to dealers. PLEASE NOTE: Federal law requires dealers to complete this recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee. Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $26,315 per vehicle. Correct all vehicles in your new vehicle inventory prior to delivery. DEALER-OPERATED RENTAL VEHICLES The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act law effective June 2016 prohibits a rental company from selling, renting, or leasing vehicles subject to a safety or compliance recall. Please consult your legal counsel for legal advice. QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE For questions and assistance, contact the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) via the SSSC Web Contact Site. The SSSC Web Contact Site can be accessed through the Professional Technician System (PTS) website using the SSSC link listed at the bottom of the OASIS VIN report screen or listed under the SSSC tab. Sincerely, Stacy L. Balzer

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Manufacturer Name : Ford Motor Company Submission Date : JUL 28, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-502 Manufacturer Recall No. : 23S36 Manufacturer Information : Manufacturer Name : Ford Motor Company Address : 330 Town Center Drive Suite 500 Dearborn MI 48126-2738 Company phone : 1-866-436-7332 Population : Number of potentially involved : 112,225 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 % Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : Power Train : NR Descriptive Information : The recalled part was introduced into production on 08/09/2013 and was taken out of production on 02/01/2016. These vehicles are not produced in VIN order. Information as to the applicability of this action to specific vehicles can best be obtained by either calling Ford’s toll-free line (1-866-436-7332) or by contacting a local Ford or Lincoln dealer who can obtain specific information regarding the vehicles from the Ford On-line Automotive Service Information System (OASIS) database. Production Dates : AUG 09, 2013 – FEB 01, 2016 VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Defect : Description of the Defect : The front door latch pawl spring tab design is susceptible to cracking and failure over time. A door latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a “door will not close” condition. FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR Description of the Safety Risk : A door latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a “door will not close” condition. In the event that the customer is able to latch the door after repeated attempts to shut the door, there is potential that the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury. Description of the Cause : The latch pawl spring tab design is susceptible to cracking and failure over time. Contributing factors are production and material variability, higher Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 Page 2 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 ambient temperatures, and solar loading. Identification of Any Warning that can Occur : Difficulty latching a door while closing or a door that rebound while attempting to shut it, or repeated efforts needed to engage a broken latch would be an overt signal to the customer that the latch needs service. A door that is unlatched while driving may be accompanied by a ”door ajar” indicator light, chime, dome light illumination and/or increased wind noise. Involved Components : Component Name 1 : LAT ASY FRT DR LH Component Description : Core LH Driver C1A Latch Component Part Number : DT1A-V21813-B Component Name 2 : LAT ASY FRT DR RH Component Description : Core RH Passenger C1A Latch Component Part Number : DT1A-V21812-A Component Name 3 : LAT ASY FRT DR RH Component Description : Core RH Passenger C1A Latch Component Part Number : DT1A-V21812-B Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer Name : Kiekert Address : 46941 Liberty Drive Wixom Michigan 48393 Country : United States Chronology : On May 23, 2023, an issue pertaining to NHTSA-provided Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for 2014-2016 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 Page 3 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Transit Connect Front Door Latch Pawl Spring Tab Fractures was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for review. From May-June 2023, Ford reviewed the different door latches used on the MY 2014-2016 Transit Connect vehicles, and previous Ford recalls for other vehicles with C1A latches. This review included 15V-246 (15S16), 16V-643 (16S30), 20V-177 (20S15), and 20V-331 (20S30) recalls. Transit Connect vehicles use “C1A” door latches manufactured by two (2) different suppliers: The front door latches are supplied by Kiekert – Czech Republic plant. The sliding door latches are supplied by Brose – Czech Republic plant. The CCRG found that the warranty rates (doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening) for the Transit Connect “C1A” front door latches produced in Kiekert – Czech Republic are lower than warranty rates for similar “C1A” front door latches produced in Kiekert – Puebla Mexico included in previous FSAs. Transit Connect is the only vehicle line in North America that uses “C1A” front door latches produced at Kiekert – Czech Republic Plant. As of May 30, 2023, Ford is aware of 21 warranty claims (from November 2015 to November 2020) and four VOQs (from August 2021 to July 2022) relating to the Front Door latches on 2014-16 Transit Connect failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening. There have been no VOQs to date since Permanent Corrective Action (PCA) clean point implemented on Transit Connect on February 1, 2016. On July 14, 2023, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to this concern. Description of Remedy : Description of Remedy Program : Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the front door latches inspected and replaced. There will be no charge for this service. Ford provided the general reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by vehicle owners prior to notification of a safety recall in May 2023. Ford will forward a copy of the notification letters to dealers to the agency when available. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : The remedy door latch has a modified spring pawl tab, increasing the strength of the tab when exposed to areas of high ambient temperature and solar loading. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-502 Page 4 The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : Not required per 49 Part 573. Recall Schedule : Description of Recall Schedule : Notification to dealers is expected to occur on July 25, 2023. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin August 28, 2023 and is expected to be completed by September 1, 2023. Planned Dealer Notification Date : JUL 25, 2023 – JUL 25, 2023 Planned Owner Notification Date : AUG 28, 2023 – SEP 01, 2023 * NR – Not Reported

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