15C03 - Reprogram Instrument Panel Cluster - 2014-2015 Ford Escape & Transit Connect

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SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured May 19, 2014, to February 6, 2015, and Transit Connect vehicles manufactured May 11, 2014, to July 2, 2015. Due to a software incompatibility issue, the instrument panel cluster be inoperative including a blank multiple functional display (MFD), and non-functional warning chimes, messages and warning lights.

Specific warning chimes, messages and warning lights.

As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, “Control and Displays.”

CONSEQUENCE:

If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver of may not be warned of safety related issues such as low tire pressures or disabled air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge.

The recall began on August 4, 2015.

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

Ford’s number for this recall is 15C03.

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

July 23, 2015

TO: All U.S.Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Compliance Recall 15C03 – Supplement #1
Certain 2014-2015 Escape and Transit Connect Vehicles
Reprogram Instrument Panel Cluster

REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT

Update build date range for Transit Connect vehicles.
Update the service procedure and labor allowances to include Transit Connect vehicles.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle	Model Year	Assembly Plant	Build Dates
Escape	2014-2015	Louisville	May 19, 2014 through February 6, 2015
Transit Connect	2014-2015	Valencia	May 10, 2014 through July 2, 2015

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN lists.

REASON FOR THIS COMPLIANCE RECALL

Some of the affected vehicles may not conform to the requirements specified by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Intermittently when the vehicle is started, the instrument cluster gauges and information display may be inoperative. In addition, some warning lamps and indicators, and audible warnings may also not function.

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any of the vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to reprogram the instrument panel cluster using IDS release 96.03 or later. 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 August 10, 2015. Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships when the calibration is available, 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

QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

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

ATTACHMENT I

DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Compliance Recall 15C03 – Supplement #1
Certain 2014-2015 Escape and Transit Connect Vehicles
Reprogram Instrument Panel Cluster

OASIS ACTIVATED

OASIS will be activated on June 23, 2015.

FSA VIN LIST ACTIVATED

FSA VIN list will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on June 23, 2015. Owner names and addresses will be available by August 17, 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.
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

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

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.
- o OWS: When entering claims in DMS software, select claim type 31: Field Service Action. The FSA number 15C03 is the sub code.
Refer to ACESII manual for claims preparation and submission information.
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.

ATTACHMENT II

DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Compliance Recall 15C03 – Supplement #1
Certain 2014-2015 Escape and Transit Connect Vehicles
Reprogram Instrument Panel Cluster

LABOR ALLOWANCES

Description	Labor Operation	Labor Time
Reprogram Instrument Panel Cluster	15C03B	0.3 Hours

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

Parts are not required to complete this repair.

ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2014-2015 ESCAPE AND TRANSIT CONNECT VEHICLES — REPROGRAM INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER

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 Instrument Panel Cluster using IDS release 96.03 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.

August 2015

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

Compliance Recall Notice 15C03 / NHTSA Recall 15V-406
Aviso de Revisión de Cumplimiento 15C03

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 your vehicle, with the VIN shown above, fails to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 101, “Control and Displays.”

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?	Intermittently when you start your vehicle, the instrument cluster gauges and information display may be inoperative. In addition, some warning lamps and indicators, and audible warnings may also not function. If the instrument cluster is inoperative, the driver may not be warned of safety system related issues, such as low tire pressures or improperly functioning air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
What will Ford and your dealer do?	Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to reprogram the instrument cluster free of charge.
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 15C03. Provide the dealer with the VIN of your vehicle. The VIN 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 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 1-866-4367332 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. 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-406.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Ford Customer Service Division

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.