Safety Recall 20S60 – Powertrain Control Module Reprogram – 2019-2020 Transit Connect

October 15, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V636000

Engine May Overheat

If the engine overheats, it can result in engine damage and increase the risk of a fire.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V636000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 2,903

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) software has fail-safe temperature threshold values higher than intended for the engine. This may delay the fail-safe cooling strategy in the event of coolant loss and result in engine overheating.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S60.

 

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 you Vehicle has a Recall

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October 15, 2020

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD
Safety Recall 20S60
Certain 2019-2020 Model Year Transit Connect with a 2.5L Engine
Powertrain Control Module Reprogram

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle	Model Year	Assembly Plant	Build Dates
Transit Connect	2019 – 2020	Valencia	August 2, 2018 through July 30, 2020

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, the engine fail safe cooling strategy will be delayed in taking action to reduce engine coolant temperatures in the event the coolant temperatures have exceeded normal operating limits. It is possible that an overheated engine could cause damage to the internal components and external fluid seals. Failure of an oil fluid seal has the possibility of starting a fire if the oil contacts the hot exhaust manifold.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to the latest level using Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION AND MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters are expected to be mailed the week of October 26, 2020. 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 $21,000 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

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

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ATTACHMENT I

NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD
Safety Recall 20S60
Certain 2019-2020 Model Year Transit Connect with a 2.5L Engine
Powertrain Control Module Reprogram

 

OASIS ACTIVATION

OASIS will be activated on October 15, 2020.

 

FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION

FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on October 15, 2020. Owner names and addresses will be available by November 9, 2020.

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.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

• Ford has not issued instructions to stop selling/delivering or driving used vehicles under this safety recall. Owners should contact their dealer for an appointment to have their vehicles remedied as soon as practicable. Owners can continue to safely drive their vehicles.
• 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.
• Dealers are to prioritize repairs of customer vehicles over repairs of new and used vehicle inventory.

 

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.

 

DEALER-OPERATED RENTAL VEHICLES

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act law effective June 2016 prohibits a rental company from selling, renting or leasing vehicles subject to a safety or compliance recall. Please consult your legal counsel for legal advice.

 

TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES

Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this recall.

 

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 should be managed as follows:

• For related damage and access time requirements, refer to the Warranty and Policy Manual / Section 6 – Ford & Lincoln Program Policies / General Information & Special Circumstances for FSA’s / Related Damage.
• For vehicles within new vehicle bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, no SSSC approval is required, although related damage must be on a separate repair line with the “Related Damage” radio button checked.
  • Ford vehicles – 3 years or 36,000 miles

• For vehicles outside new vehicle bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, submit an Approval Request to the SSSC Web Contact Site prior to completing the repair.

 

CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

• Claim Entry: 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 20S60 is the sub code.
  • For additional claims preparation and submission information, refer to the Recall and Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) Repairs in the OWS User Guide.
• Related Damage/Additional labor and/or parts: Must be claimed as Related Damage on a separate repair line from the FSA with same claim type and sub code as described in Claim Entry above.

IMPORTANT: Click the Related Damage Indicator radio button.

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ATTACHMENT II

NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD
Safety Recall 20S60
Certain 2019-2020 Model Year Transit Connect with a 2.5L Engine
Powertrain Control Module Reprogram

 

LABOR ALLOWANCES

Description	Labor Operation	Labor Time
Reprogram the PCM to the latest level using FDRS.	20S60B	0.5 Hours

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

Parts are not required to complete this repair.

 

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ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2019-2020 MODEL YEAR TRANSIT CONNECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE— POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAM

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Module Programming

 

NOTE:  Program appropriate vehicle modules before performing diagnostics and clear all DTC’s after programming. For DTC’s generated after programming, follow normal diagnostic service procedures.

 

1. Connect a battery charger to the 12V battery.

 

NOTE: Verify that the negative cable of the charger is installed on a chassis or engine ground, and not the 12 volt battery negative terminal to prevent the battery saver mode from activating on the vehicle.

 

NOTE: If the diagnostic software does not load or if the vehicle cannot be identified properly, make sure there is a good internet connection and the VCM is properly connected to the DLC.

 

2. Log into Ford Diagnostic and Repair System (FDRS).

 

NOTE: Vehicle information is automatically retrieved by the diagnostic software and a Network Test is run. Vehicle identification data appears on the screen when this is complete.

 

3. Click ‘Read VIN from Vehicle’ or manually enter the VIN.

 

NOTE: Available modules are shown on the LH side of the screen, and available procedures are listed on the RH side of the screen. Modules that are communicating are highlighted in green.

 

4. Select Toolbox tab.

5. From the list on the LH side of the screen, select the PCM.

6. From the list on the RH side of the screen, select PCM Software Update.

7. Click RUN.  Follow all on-screen instructions carefully.

8. From the list on the RH side of the screen, select Self-Test and click RUN.

9. Click the Run Selected Tests button in the lower right.

10. Click the Clear & Retest button at the top of the screen to clear DTC’s in all modules.

11. Disconnect the battery charger from the 12V battery once the programming has completed.

 

NOTE: Advise the customer that this vehicle is equipped with an adaptive transmission shift strategy  which allows the vehicle’s computer to learn the transmission’s unique parameters and improve shift quality. When the adaptive strategy is reset, the computer will begin a re-learning process. This re-learning process may result in firmer than normal upshifts and downshifts for several days.

 

Important Information for Module Programming

NOTE: When programming 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 FDRS/scan tool to a power source.

 

NOTE: A good internet connection is necessary to identify the vehicle and to load the diagnostic software.

 

• Inspect Vehicle Communication Module II (VCM II)/Vehicle Communication and Measurement Module (VCMM) 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 FDRS/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

a. Disconnect the VCMII or VCMM from the data link connector (DLC) and your PC.

b. After ten seconds, reconnect the VCMII/VCMM to the DLC and the PC. Launch FDRS. The VCMII/VCMM icon should turn green in the bottom right corner of the screen. If it does not, troubleshoot the FDRS to VCM connection.

c. If you are using the same FDRS as the initial programming attempt, select the appropriate VIN from the Vehicle Identification menu. If you are using a different FDRS, select “Read VIN from Vehicle” and proceed through the Network Test.

d. In the Toolbox menu, navigate to the failed module and Download/Run Programmable Module Installation (PMI). Follow the on-screen prompts. When asked if the original module is installed, select “No” and continue through the installation application.

e. Once programming has completed, a screen may list additional steps required to complete the programming process. Make sure all applicable steps are followed in order.

 

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2 Affected Products

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FORD	TRANSIT CONNECT	2019-2020

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3 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V636-9045.pdf 244.898KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V636-3824.PDF 213.992KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – October 15, 2020 SUBJECT: NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 20S60 Certain 2019-2020 Model Year Transit Connect with a 2.5L Engine Powertrain Control Module Reprogram

RCMN-20V636-3159.pdf 184.453KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V636&docType=RCL

For the most up to date documents from NHTSA for this Recall, click the lick above

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Last update on 2020-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API