15S17 – Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Rivet Inspection – 2015 Ford F-150

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NHTSA

15V279

SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015.

The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted.

 

CONSEQUENCE:

If the intermediate shaft was improperly riveted, it could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

 

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge.

The recall began on May 22, 2015.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Ford’s number for this recall is 15S17.

 

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

 

May 12, 2015

TO: All U.S.Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 15S17
Certain 2015 Model Year F-150 Vehicles
Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Rivet Inspection

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle Model Year Assembly Plant Build Dates
F-150 2015 Dearborn March 21, 2015 through March 30, 2015
F-150 2015 Kansas City March 19, 2015 through March 21, 2015

 

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS.  In addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership, visit https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com.  This information will be available by May 12, 2015.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, the upper intermediate steering shaft may not have been assembled correctly, which can allow the steering shaft to separate, leading to a loss of steering control.  A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any of the vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to inspect the upper intermediate steering shaft.  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 May 18, 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
Owner Notification Letter (To follow)

 

QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Special Service Support Center (Dealer Assistance Only)  1-800-325-5621

 

ATTACHMENT I

DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 15S17
Certain 2015 Model Year F-150 Vehicles
Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Rivet Inspection

 

OASIS ACTIVATED?

Yes, OASIS will be activated on May 12, 2015.

 

FSA VIN LIST ACTIVATED?

Yes, FSA VIN list will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on May 12, 2015.  Owner names and addresses will be available by May 12, 2015.

NOTE:  Your FSA VIN list 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.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

  • Dealers are encouraged to proactively contact owners of sold vehicles to make arrangements to have their vehicle inspected. This includes the option to inspect the vehicles at a more convenient location specified by the customer (i.e., home or place of business).
  • Special handling instructions apply to this recall. Refer to “Special Handling Instructions” in this Attachment for details.
  • 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.
  • Owners of affected vehicles may also be contacted by the Customer Relationship Center and will be directed to their dealer for vehicle inspection.
  • 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

Contact the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) 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.

Contact the SSSC prior to the repair.  Please be prepared to provide your requested additional warranty part cost, estimated additional labor time, and dealer specific labor rate.  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

If a customer’s vehicle requires the replacement of the upper intermediate steering shaft and it is necessary to order parts, Ford Motor Company will pay for one day of vehicle rental.  Follow Extended Service Plan (ESP) guidelines for dollar amounts.  The daily rate can include applicable taxes but must not exceed the stated daily rate.  Rentals will only be reimbursed for the day the vehicle is at the dealership for part replacement.  Prior approval for more than one rental day is required from the Special Service Support Center (1-800-325-5621).

 

SPECIAL HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS (SOLD UNITS ONLY)

Dealers are authorized to claim a combined maximum of $100 to:

  • Wash and vacuum the customer’s vehicle.
  • Top off the fuel tank.

 

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 (15S17) 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 Special Service Support Center.
  • For rental vehicle claiming, follow Extended Service Plan (ESP) guidelines for dollar amounts. Enter the total amount of the rental expense under Miscellaneous Expense code “Rental”.
  • For claiming the Special Handling Allowance, enter up to $100 on the same line as the repair. Enter the total amount of the special handling expense under Miscellaneous Expense Code “SCHP” for wash and vacuum and/or fuel.

 

ATTACHMENT II

DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 15S17
Certain 2015 Model Year F-150 Vehicles
Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Rivet Inspection

 

LABOR ALLOWANCES

Description Labor Operation Labor Time
Inspect upper intermediate steering shaft –  PASS – no repair needed 15S17A 0.2 Hours
Replace upper intermediate steering shaft  (Includes inspection) 15S17B 0.5 Hours
Technician travel time to perform inspection at a customer specified  location (if required)

(May be claimed with either 15S17A or 15S17B)

MT15S17C Claim Actual Time

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

Part Number Description Quantity
N808684-S101 Lower retaining bolt 1
W714409-S439 Upper retaining bolt (4 bolts/package, 1 bolt needed) 1
FL3Z-3E751-A Upper intermediate steering shaft 1
W705132-S439 Shaft seal bolts (4 bolts/package, 3 bolt needed) 1

 

The DOR/COR number for this recall is 50598.

To confirm that the upper intermediate steering shaft needs replacement, dealers must email a photo similar to Figure 3 in Attachment III showing details of the failed inspection part to the SSSC at 15S17@Renkim.com.  In the email please include dealer P&A code, VIN, dealer contact name and phone number.  The SSSC will contact the dealer with any questions or to advise the part has been ordered.

Less than 1% of the affected vehicle population is expected to require upper intermediate steering replacement.

Dealers will be notified via a DOES II communication if circumstances warrant a change in part supply strategy and when open ordering resumes.

Other questions regarding parts should be directed to the Special Service Support Center (1-800-3255621) or E-mailed to:  Ford@Renkim.com.

 

DEALER PRICE  

For latest prices, refer to DOES II.

 

PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN

Follow the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual, Section 1 “WARRANTY PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN POLICIES.”

 

EXCESS STOCK RETURN

Excess stock returned for credit must have been purchased from Ford Customer Service Division in accordance with Policy Procedure Bulletin 4000.

 

ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2015 MODEL YEAR F-150 VEHICLES — UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT RIVET INSPECTION

 

OVERVIEW                                                                                                   

In some of the affected vehicles, the upper intermediate steering shaft may not have been assembled correctly, which can allow the steering shaft to separate, leading to a loss of steering control. A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Only a small number (less than 1%) of vehicles are expected to exhibit concerns with the upper intermediate steering shaft.

Before demonstrating or delivering any of the vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to inspect the upper intermediate steering shaft.  This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

  1. While looking upward from the driver’s floorboard, locate the steering column upper intermediate shaft under the instrument panel (between the accelerator and brake pedals).
  2. Locate the staked end of the two (2) upper and two (2) lower rivets in the upper intermediate steering shaft.  See Figure 1.

Steering Column Upper Intermediate ShaftFIGURE 1

 

  1. Inspect the four rivets both visually and using a 10 mm (3/8 in) wrench as a gauge to determine if they are staked:
    • A rivet that is properly staked will have a pressed/convex shape at the tail end of the rivet and will not allow the 10 mm (3/8 in) open-end wrench to fit over the staked (tail) end. See Figures 2 and 3.
    • A rivet that is not staked will have a cylindrical or barrel shape at the tail end, may not be fully seated, and will allow the 10 mm (3/8 in) open-end wrench to fit over the (tail) end. See Figures 2 and 3.

Steering Column Upper Intermediate ShaftFIGURE 2

 

Steering Column Upper Intermediate ShaftFIGURE 3

 

  1. If any of the upper intermediate steering shaft rivets are not staked properly (inspection failed), replace the upper intermediate steering shaft. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 211-04.

NOTE: A photo showing details of the failed inspection part similar to Figure 3 above is required if a new upper intermediate steering shaft is needed.  See dealer bulletin “Attachment II” for further information.

 

May, 2015

* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
(PROGRAMA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE)

 

Safety Recall Notice 15S17 / NHTSA Recall 15V-279
Aviso de Revisión de Seguridad or Cumplimiento 15S17

 

Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345

 

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): 12345678901234567.

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 upper intermediate steering shaft may have been assembled incorrectly, which can allow the steering shaft to separate, leading to a loss of steering control.  A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
What will Ford and your dealer do? Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to inspect your vehicle’s upper intermediate steering shaft and replace it if necessary, 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 15S17.  Provide the dealer with the VIN of your vehicle, which is printed near your name at the beginning of this letter.

You can access www.Fordowner.com for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions.      

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.

Do you need a rental vehicle? If your dealer determines that replacement of the upper intermediate steering shaft is required and needs your vehicle overnight, your dealer is authorized to provide a rental vehicle for your personal transportation at no charge (except for fuel and insurance) while your vehicle is at the dealership for repairs.  Please see your dealer for guidelines and limitations.
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----escape_sem_autolink_uri:423fe9eb27273b03ff1a34aaf07ef8ac----

Para asistencia en Español: 

Si necesita ayuda o tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame al 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----escape_sem_autolink_uri:3eabaeba8e29c9ef8d28d54f5418eee7---- 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: 1800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov----escape_sem_autolink_uri:48b243ae3a4462a70f5fbc3bd3d99f71----  Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 15V-279.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Ford Customer Service Division

 

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