15S32 – Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming – 2016 Ford Econoline Cutaway / Chassis Cab – Ford & Lincoln

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SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to September 1, 2015, and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller.

In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge.

The recall began on November 10, 2015.

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

Ford’s number for this recall is 15S32.

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

October 27, 2015

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 15S32
Certain 2016 Model Year Econoline Cutaway / Chassis Cab Vehicles
ith 6.8L Engine and Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle	Model Year	Assembly Plant	Build Dates
Econoline	2016	Ohio	November 3, 2014 through September 1, 2015

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In all of the affected vehicles, the integrated trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes when the driver depresses the brake pedal. However, the trailer brakes will apply when using the manual control lever on the integrated trailer brake controller. There is no warning to the driver that vehicle braking does not actuate the trailer brakes. This condition may result in extended vehicle stopping distance.

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any of the vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

Note: IDS release 97.05 containing the corrective PCM software will be available October 28, 2015.

OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner Letters are expected to be mailed the week of November 9, 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 15S32
Certain 2016 Model Year Econoline Cutaway / Chassis Cab Vehicles
with 6.8L Engine and Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming

OASIS ACTIVATION

OASIS will be activated on October 27, 2015.

FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION

FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on October 27, 2015. Owner names and addresses will be available by November 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.

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 (15S32) 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

LABOR ALLOWANCES

Description	Labor Operation	Labor Time
Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)	15S32B	0.3 Hours

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

Parts are not required to complete this repair.

ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2016 MODEL YEAR ECONOLINE CUTAWAY / CHASSIS CAB VEHICLES WITH 6.8L ENGINE AND INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER — POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING

OVERVIEW

In all of the affected vehicles, the integrated trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes when the driver depresses the brake pedal. However, the trailer brakes will apply when using the manual control lever on the integrated trailer brake controller. There is no warning to the driver that the vehicle braking does not actuate the trailer brakes. This condition may result in extended vehicle stopping distance. Dealers are to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) using the following procedure.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Module Reprogramming

NOTE: Reprogram appropriate vehicle modules before performing diagnostics and clear all Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) after programming. For DTCs generated after reprogramming, follow normal diagnostic service procedures.

Connect a battery charger to the 12V battery.
Reprogram the PCM using Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) release 97.05 or higher.

NOTE: Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com.

NOTE: Follow the IDS on-screen instructions to complete the reprogramming procedure.

Disconnect the battery charger from the 12V battery, once the reprogramming has completed.

Important Information for Module Programming

NOTE: When programming or reprogramming a module, use the following basic checks to ensure programming completes without errors.

Make sure the 12V battery is fully charged before carrying out the programming steps and connect IDS/scan tool to a power source.
Inspect Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and cables for any damage. Make sure scan tool connections are not interrupted during programming.
A hardwired connection is strongly recommended.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories (radio, heated/cooled seats, headlamps, interior lamps, HVAC system, etc.) and close doors.
Disconnect/depower any aftermarket accessories (remote start, alarm, power inverter, CB radio, etc.).
Follow all scan tool on-screen instructions carefully.
Disable IDS/scan tool sleep mode, screensaver, hibernation modes.
Create all sessions Key On Engine Off (KOEO). Starting the vehicle before creating a session will cause errors within the programming inhale process.

Recovering a module when programming has resulted in a blank module:
NEVER DELETE THE ORIGINAL SESSION!

Obtain the original IDS that was used when the programming error occurred during Module Reprogramming (MR) or Programmable Module Installation (PMI).
Disconnect the VCM from the Data Link Connector (DLC) and the IDS.
Reconnect the VCM to IDS and then connect to the DLC. Once reconnected, the VCM icon should appear in the corner of the IDS screen. If it does not, troubleshoot the IDS to VCM connection.
Locate the ORIGINAL vehicle session when programming failed. This should be the last session used in most cases. If not, use the session created on the date that the programming failed.

NOTE: If the original session is not listed in the previous session list, click the ”Recycle Bin” icon at the lower right of the previous session screen. This loads any deleted sessions and allows you to look through them. Double-click the session to restore it.

Once the session is loaded, the failed process should resume automatically.
If programming does not resume automatically, proceed to the Module Programming menu and select the previously attempted process, PMI or MR.
Follow all on-screen prompts/instructions.
The last screen on the IDS may list additional steps required to complete the programming process. Make sure all applicable steps listed on the screen are followed in order.

November 2015

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

Safety Recall Notice 15S32 / NHTSA Recall 15V710
Aviso de Revisión de Seguridad 15S32

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, which was built on a chassis supplied by Ford, 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 integrated trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes when the driver depresses the brake pedal. There is no warning to the driver that vehicle braking does not actuate the trailer brakes. This condition may result in extended vehicle stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash. The trailer brakes will only apply when manually actuating the control lever on the integrated trailer brake controller.
What will Ford and your dealer do?	Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module 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 15S32. 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 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. MOTORHOME OWNERS: If you still have concerns, please contact the Motorhome Customer Assistance Center toll free at 1-866-906-9811. Representatives are available 24 hours a day. 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. Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 15V710.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Service Information & Reprogramming

Software necessary to program electronic modules to the latest calibration level, perform module initialization (PATS), and set Programmable Parameters on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

Ford Module Programming (FMP) is a software application that allows subscribers to program electronic modules on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. It can be used for:

Reprogramming emission-related (OBDII) modules on some vehicles manufactured in 1995 and all vehicles manufactured from 1996 to the present
Reprogramming or reconfiguring non-emission-related modules on many vehicles (UBP and MS-CAN not supported)

In addition, module initialization (PATS) functions such as Keycode Erase/Reprogram and PCM Parameter Reset can be done using this application.

J2534 Device using Ford Module Programming (FMP) can Reprogram and Configure most Modules.