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SUMMARY:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015.
During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened.
As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
CONSEQUENCE:
If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
REMEDY:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge.
The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 15S26.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Check if your Vehicle has a Recall
September 28, 2015
TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety 15S26
Certain 2015 Model Year Taurus and MKS and 2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles
Fuel Tank Attachment Bolt Torque
AFFECTED VEHICLES
| Vehicle | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Build Date |
| Taurus | 2015 |
Chicago
|
July 24, 2015
|
| MKS | |||
| Explorer | 2016 |
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.
REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL
In all of the affected vehicles, the fuel tank attachment bolts were not installed to the proper torque specification. Improper torque may result in insufficient clamp load that could lead to fatigue and fracture of the fuel tank straps, which could result in the fuel tank separating from the vehicle. A fuel tank separation may result in a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire.
SERVICE ACTION
Before demonstrating or delivering any of the vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to loosen the fuel tank attachment bolts one-turn, then torque to specification. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Owner Letters are expected to be mailed the week of October 19, 2015. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.
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 $7,000 per vehicle. Correct all vehicles in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III: Technical Information
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 Society (PTS) website using the SSSC link listed at the bottom of the OASIS VIN report screen or listed under the SSSC tab.
ATTACHMENT I
DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 15S26
Certain 2015 Model Year Taurus and MKS and 2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles
Fuel Tank Attachment Bolt Torque
OASIS ACTIVATION
OASIS will be activated on September 28, 2015.
FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION
FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on September 28, 2015. Owner names and addresses will be available by October 30, 2015.
NOTE: Your FSA VIN Lists may contain owner names and addresses obtained from motor vehicle registration records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than in connection with this recall is a violation of law in several states, provinces, and countries.
Accordingly, you must limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
STOCK VEHICLES
- Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
- Use OASIS to identify any affected vehicles in your used vehicle inventory.
SOLD VEHICLES
- Owners of affected vehicles will be directed to dealers for repairs.
- Immediately contact any of your affected customers whose vehicles are not on your VIN list but are identified in OASIS. Give the customer a copy of the Owner Notification Letter (when available) and schedule a service date.
- Correct other affected vehicles identified in OASIS which are brought to your dealership.
TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES
Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this recall.
ADDITIONAL LABOR TIME AND/OR PARTS
Submit a request to the SSSC Web Contact Site prior to the repair if you have any of the following:
- Damage that you believe was caused by the covered condition.
- A condition that requires additional labor and/or parts to complete the repair.
- Aftermarket equipment or non-Ford modifications to the vehicle which might prevent the repair of the covered condition.
Requests for approval after completion of the repair may not be granted. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to deny coverage for related damage in cases where the vehicle owner has not had this recall performed on a timely basis. Additional related damage parts are subject to random selection for return to the Ford Warranty Parts Analysis Center (WPAC).
OWNER REFUNDS
Refunds are not approved for this program.
RENTAL VEHICLES
The use of rental vehicles is not approved for this program.
With proper service appointment scheduling, rental vehicles should not be required. However, if you have a unique circumstance which may require a rental vehicle, please contact the SSSC via the SSSC Web Contact Site.
CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
- Enter claims using Direct Warranty Entry (DWE) or One Warranty Solution (OWS).
- DWE: refer to ACESII manual for claims preparation and submission information.
- OWS: when entering claims in DMS software, select claim type 31: Field Service Action. The FSA number 15S26 is the sub code.
- Additional labor and/or parts must be claimed as related damage on a repair line that is separate from the repair line on which the FSA is claimed. Additional labor and/or parts require prior approval from the SSSC via the SSSC Web Contact Site.
NOTE: Maintain supporting documentation for all Miscellaneous Expenses according to procedure as identified in the Warranty and Policy Manual.
ATTACHMENT II
DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 15S26
Certain 2015 Model Year Taurus and MKS and 2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles
Fuel Tank Attachment Bolt Torque
LABOR ALLOWANCES
| Description | Vehicle Line | Labor Operation | Labor Time |
| Loosen Then Torque Fuel Tank Attachment Bolts | Taurus and MKS | 15S26B | 0.5 Hour(s) |
| Explorer | 0.3 Hour(s) |
PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION
Parts are not required to complete this repair.
ATTACHMENT III
CERTAIN 2015 TAURUS AND MKS AND 2016 EXPLORER VEHICLES — FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT BOLT TORQUE
OVERVIEW
In all of the affected vehicles, the fuel tank attachment bolts were not installed to the proper torque specification. Improper torque may result in insufficient clamp load that could lead to fatigue and fracture of the fuel tank straps, which could result in the fuel tank separating from the vehicle. A fuel tank separation may result in a fuel leak. Technicians are to loosen the fuel tank attachment bolts one-turn, then torque to specification using the following procedures.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
All Vehicles
- With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. Please follow Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 100-02.
All Vehicles
- Loosen each of the four fuel tank bolts one full turn. See Figure 1.
NOTE: Explorer AWD shown, other vehicles similar.
FIGURE 1
- Tighten and then torque the four fuel tank bolts to 26 lb.ft (35 Nm).
- For Explorer vehicles, use an extension and swivel socket to torque all four bolts. Do not allow the extension and socket to exceed 15° of swivel angle while torquing the bolts to specification.
- For Taurus/MKS vehicles, use an extension and swivel socket to torque the two front bolts. Do not allow the extension and socket to exceed 15° of swivel angle while torquing the bolts to specification.
- For Taurus/MKS vehicles, the two rear bolts must be torqued using a suitable Adjustable Torque Wrench Adapter. Refer to Torque Wrench Adapter Formulas within the WSM to calculate proper torque as required. See Figure 2.
FIGURE 2
October 2015
* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
(PROGRAMA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE)
Safety Recall Notice 15S26 1 NHTSA Recall 15V-605
Aviso de Revisiön de Seguridad 15S26
2015 Taurus
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Ford Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in your vehicle, with the VIN shown above,
We apologize for this situation and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct this condition. Our commitment, together with your dealer, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support.
| What is the issue? | On your vehicle, the fuel tank attachment bolts were not installed with the proper torque, This condition could lead to fatigue and fracture of the fuel tank straps, which could result in the fuel tank separating from the vehicle. A fuel tank separation may result in a fuel leak, A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire. |
| What will Ford and your dealer do? | Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to properly torque the fuel tank attachment bolts free of charge (parts and labor). |
| How long will it take? | The time needed for this repair is less than one-half day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time. |
| What should you do?
|
Please call your dealer without delay and request a service date for Recall 15S26. Provide the dealer with your VIN, which is printed near your name at the beginning of this letter.
If you do not already have a servicing dealer, you can access www.Fordowner.com for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions. Ford Motor Company wants you to have this safety recall completed on your vehicle, The vehicle owner is responsible for making arrangements to have the work completed. Please note: Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days. |
| What if you no longer own this vehicle? | If you no longer own this vehicle, and have an address for the current owner, please forward this letter to the new owner.
You received this notice because government regulations require that notification be sent to the last known owner of record. Our records are based primarily on state registration and title data, which indicate that you are the current owner. |
| Can we assist you further? | If you have difficulties getting your vehicle repaired promptly and without charge, please contact your dealership’s Service Manager for assistance.
RETAIL OWNERS. If you still have concerns, please contact the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. For the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). Representatives are available Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 8:00PM (Eastern Time). If you wish to contact us through the Internet, our address is: www.Fordowner.com. Para asistencia en Español: Si necesita ayuda o tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame a/ Centro de Relación con Clientes al 1-866-436-7332 y presione 2 para Español FLEET OWNERS: If you still have concerns, please contact the Fleet Customer Information Center at 1-800-34-FLEET, Option #3 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday: 8:00AM – 8:00PM (Eastern Time). Or you may contact us through the Internet at www.fleet.ford.com. If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle repaired in a reasonable time or without charge, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll free Vehicle safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov. Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 15V-605 |
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Ford Customer Service Division
