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SUMMARY:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 6, 2013, to September 20, 2014.
In the affected vehicles, the upper seat belt bolts may have been improperly torqued, allowing them to loosen over time.
CONSEQUENCE:
If the seat belt anchorage fasteners loosen over time, there is an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
REMEDY:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original seatbelt fasteners with properly torqued fasteners, free of charge.
The recall began March 26, 2015.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 15S03.
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
March 17, 2015
TO: All U.S.Ford and Lincoln Dealers
SUBJECT: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 15S03
Certain 2014 Model Year Transit Connect Vans
Safety Belt and Cargo Hook Fastener Replacement
REF: DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Advance Notice – Safety Recall 15S03 – Supplement #1
Dated February 27, 2015
AFFECTED VEHICLES
| Vehicle | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Build Dates |
| Transit
Connect Vans |
2014 | Valencia | November 6, 2013 through September 20, 2014 |
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 was available on January 27, 2015.
REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL
In some of the affected vehicles, the front row safety belt fasteners may not have been torqued properly. Safety belt fasteners which do not meet installation torque specifications may loosen over time, which could cause them to not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
In addition, the rear cargo hook fasteners may not have been torqued properly and may loosen over time, presenting a potential customer satisfaction issue.
SERVICE ACTION
Before demonstrating or delivering any of the vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to replace the front safety belt fasteners. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
Additionally, for customer satisfaction, dealers are to replace the cargo hook fasteners at no charge to the vehicle owner. If the cargo hooks are inaccessible due to modifications to the cargo area, the fasteners do not need to be replaced.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Owner Letters are expected to be mailed the week of March 23, 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
QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Special Service Support Center (Dealer Assistance Only) 1-800-325-5621
ATTACHMENT I
DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD
Certain 2014 Model Year Transit Connect Vans Safety Belt and Cargo Hook Fastener Replacement
OASIS ACTIVATED?
Yes, OASIS was activated on January 27, 2015.
FSA VIN LIST ACTIVATED?
Yes, FSA VIN list was available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on January 27, 2015. Owner names and addresses will be available by April 6, 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
- 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).
- 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 requires prior approval from the Special Service Support Center.
ATTACHMENT II
DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD
Certain 2014 Model Year Transit Connect Vans
Safety Belt and Cargo Hook Fastener Replacement
LABOR ALLOWANCES
| Description | Labor Operation | Labor Time |
| Replace front safety belt fasteners only (cargo hook fasteners could not be accessed due to modifications) | 15S03B | 0.5 Hours |
| Replace front safety belt and rear cargo hook fasteners | 15S03C | 0.6 Hours |
PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION
| Part Number | Description | Quantity |
| DT1Z-17611B08-A | Front safety belt bolt kit (RH side) | 1 |
| DT1Z-17611B09-A | Front safety belt bolt kit (LH side) | 1 |
| DT1Z-9960262-A | Safety belt D-ring cover | 2 |
| W708926-S307 | Cargo hook bolts (4 per package) | 1 package |
The DOR/COR number for this recall is 50581.
Order your parts requirements through normal order processing channels.
Questions regarding parts should be directed to the Special Service Support Center (1-800-325-5621) 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.
CERTAIN 2014 MODEL YEAR TRANSIT CONNECT VANS — SAFETY BELT AND
CARGO HOOK FASTENER REPLACEMENT
OVERVIEW
In some of the affected vehicles, the front row safety belt fasteners may not have been torqued properly. Safety belt fasteners which do not meet installation torque specifications may loosen over time, which could cause them to not function as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers are to replace the front safety belt fasteners
In addition, the rear cargo hook fasteners may not have been torqued properly and may loosen over time, presenting a potential customer satisfaction issue. Dealers are to replace the cargo hook fasteners at no charge to the vehicle owner. If the cargo hooks are inaccessible due to modifications to the cargo area, the fasteners do not need to be replaced.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Safety Belt Fastener Replacement
NOTE: While the upper safety belt fasteners are identical, the lower safety belt fastener for the RH side is longer than the lower safety belt fastener for the LH side. See Figure 1. Be sure to use the correct fastener kits for each side during reassembly.
Figure 1
- Remove and discard the D-ring cover and the D-ring fastener. Position the safety belt aside. See Figure 2.
Figure 2
- Remove and discard the lower safety belt fastener. See Figure 3.
Figure 3
NOTE: During installation, make sure the safety belt webbing is not twisted and the safety belts and buckles are accessible to the occupants.
- Install the new lower safety belt fastener. See Figure 3.
- Tighten lower fastener to 30 Ib.ft (40 Nm).
- Reposition the safety belt and install the new D-ring fastener. See Figure 2.
- Tighten D-ring fastener to 30 Ib.ft (40 Nm). Install the new D-ring cover.
Cargo Hook Fastener Replacement
- Remove and discard all four cargo hook fasteners, then install new fasteners. See Figure 4.
- Tighten cargo hook fasteners to 30 Ib.ft (40 Nm).
Figure 4
* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
(PROGRAMA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE)
Safety Recall Notice 15S03 / NHTSA Recall 15V-050
Aviso de Revisión de Seguridad or Cumplimiento 15S03
Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345
This notice applies to your vehicle, 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 Vehicle Identification Number 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 front row safety belt fasteners may not have been torqued properly. These safety belt fasteners may loosen over time, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
In addition, the rear cargo hook fasteners may not have been torqued properly and may loosen over time, presenting a potential customer satisfaction issue. |
| What will Ford and your dealer do? | Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace the front safety belt fasteners free of charge (parts and labor).
Additionally, in the interest of customer satisfaction, Ford has authorized your dealer to replace the cargo hook fasteners free of charge (parts and labor). If the cargo hooks are inaccessible due to modifications to the cargo area, the fasteners do not need to be replaced. |
| 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 15S03. Provide the dealer with the Vehicle Identification Number (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 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 have questions or concerns, please contact our Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332, where one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. Or visit us at www.Fordowner.com. For the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (TDD). Representatives are available Monday through Friday: 8:00AM – 8:00PM (Eastern Time). 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 have questions or concerns, please contact the Fleet Customer Information Center at 1-800-34-FLEET, choose 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 can contact us 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: 1800-424-9153) or go to www.safercar.gov. Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 15V-050. |
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Ford Customer Service Division
