April 9, 2018
TO: All U.S. Ford
and Lincoln Dealers
SUBJECT: NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles
Transmission Bell Housing Bolt Torque
PROGRAM TERMS
This program will be in effect through April 30, 2019.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
| Vehicle | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Build Dates |
| Escape | 2018 | Louisville | March 22 through March 23, 2018 |
| MKC |
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.
REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM
In some of the affected vehicles, depending on engine configuration, one or two transmission bell housing bolts may have been torqued below specification. If any transmission bell housing bolts are torqued below specification, other bolts may loosen over time and the customer may experience an under-hood clunk noise, a vibration while driving, fluid leaks from the bottom of the bell housing and/or the flex plate may crack.
SERVICE ACTION
Before delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this program, dealers are to torque the specified bolt(s).
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Owner letters will not be mailed for this program.
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.
Sincerely,
David J. Johnson
ATTACHMENT I
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles
Transmission Bell Housing Bolt Torque
OASIS ACTIVATION
OASIS will be activated on April 9, 2018.
FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION
FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on April 9, 2018.
SOLD VEHICLES
Repair affected vehicles brought to your dealership for service. Complete the program and inform the customer.
STOCK VEHICLES
Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES
Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are not eligible for this service action.
OWNER REFUNDS
Refunds are not approved for this program.
RENTAL VEHICLES
Rental vehicles are not approved for this program.
ADDITIONAL REPAIR (LABOR TIME AND/OR PARTS)
Additional repairs identified as necessary to complete the FSA are covered under new vehicle bumper-to-bumper warranty, no SSSC approval is required. CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
- Enter claims using Dealer Management System (DMS) or One Warranty Solution (OWS) online.
- When entering claims, select claim type 31: Field Service Action. The FSA number 18U12 is the sub code.
- Labor Operation – 18U12B
- For additional claims preparation and submission information, refer to the Recall and Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) Repairs in the OWS User Guide.
- Additional labor and/or parts must be claimed as related damage on a separate repair line from the FSA. IMPORTANT: Click the radio button on the Related Damage Indicator.
ATTACHMENT II
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles
Transmission Bell Housing Bolt Torque
LABOR ALLOWANCES
| Description | Labor Operation | Labor Time |
| Torque Transmission Bell Housing Bolt(s) | 18U12B | 0.3 Hours |
ATTACHMENT III
CERTAIN 2018 ESCAPE AND MKC VEHICLES – TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING BOLT TORQUE
OVERVIEW
In some of the affected vehicles, depending on engine configuration, one or two transmission bell housing bolts may have been torqued below specification. If any transmission bell housing bolts are torqued below specification, other bolts may loosen over time and the customer may experience an under-hood clunk noise, a vibration while driving, fluid leaks from bottom of bell housing and/or flex plate may crack. Before delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this program, dealers are to torque the specified bolt(s).
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Recommended Tool List For Replacement:
| 1/4″ Drive Power Tool |
| 1/4″ Drive 7mm Socket |
| 1/4″ Drive T30 Torx Bit |
| 3/8″ Drive 13mm Shallow Socket |
| 3/8″ Drive Torque Wrench |
All Vehicles
1. Remove the retainers and the engine front underbody shield. See Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
2. Torque the transmission housing bolt(s) shown in the following illustrations to 35 Ib.ft (48 Nm).
See Figures 2 and 3.
Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost Engine
FIGURE 2
Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L Ecoboost Or 2.5L Duratec Engine
FIGURE 3
All Vehicles
1. Install the engine front underbody shield and retainers. See Figure 1.
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
April 9, 2018
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Last update on 2026-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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