Safety Recall 20S68 – Nineteen Gallon Fuel Tank Incomplete Weld – 2020 Ford Explorer

November 24, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V730000

Fuel Tank Inlet Check Valve Not Welded Properly

An incomplete weld securing the inlet check valve to the fuel tank shell could result in a substantial fuel leak during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V730

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 17

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines and 19 gallon fuel tanks. The fuel tank inlet check valve may not be fully welded to the fuel tank shell.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank shell, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 7, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S68.

 

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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November 24, 2020

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 20S68
Certain 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Equipped with a 2.3L Engine
Nineteen Gallon Fuel Tank Incomplete Weld

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicle	Model Year	Assembly Plant	Build Dates
Explorer	2020	Chicago	August 10, 2020 through August 11, 2020

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In all of the affected vehicles, the inlet check valve was not fully welded to the fuel tank shell. This condition is likely to result in a check engine light for a small evaporative emissions leak, and this could progress into a fuel odor condition. An incomplete weld securing the inlet check valve to the fuel tank shell could result in a substantial fuel leak during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Before demonstrating or delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this recall, dealers are to replace the fuel tank shell. 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 December 7, 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 Letters

 

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 20S68
Certain 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Equipped with a 2.3L Engine
Nineteen Gallon Fuel Tank Improper Weld

 

OASIS ACTIVATION

OASIS will be activated on November 24, 2020

 

FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION

FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com by November 24, 2020. Owner names and addresses will be available by January 08, 2021.

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 powertrain 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 – 5 years or 60,000 miles

• For vehicles outside new powertrain 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 (20S68) 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 20S68
Certain 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Equipped with a 2.3L Engine
Nineteen Gallon Fuel Tank Improper Weld

 

LABOR ALLOWANCES

Description	Labor Operation	Labor Time
Replace the Fuel Tank Shell, Includes Component Transfer	MT20S68B	Up To  2.4 Hours

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION
SSSC Web Contact Site:

To place an order for the following, submit a VIN-specific Part Order contact via the SSSC Web Contact Site.

Description	Order Quantity	Claim Quantity	Part Number
Bolts-Driveshaft Center Bearing Bracket (4 per pkg, 2 req’d)	1	2	W717822-S439
Circlip-Rear Axle Pinion Stem – Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Only	As Needed	1	L1MZ-3B498-D

Dealers will be notified via a DOES II communication if circumstances warrant a change in part supply strategy and when open ordering resumes.

Order the parts below through normal order processing channels:

Part Number	Description	Order Quantity	Claim Quantity
L1MZ-9002-C	Fuel Tank Shell	1	1
4L3Z-9276-AA	O-Ring-Fuel pump	1	1
W719511-S439	Bolts-flex coupling to transfer case (4 per pkg, 3 req’d)	1	3
L1MZ-3B498-E	Circlip-Rear Axle Pinion Stem – Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Only	As Needed	1

To guarantee the shortest delivery time, an emergency order for parts must be placed.

 

DEALER PRICE

For latest prices, refer to DOES II.

 

PARTS RETENTION, RETURN, & SCRAPPING

Follow the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual, Section 1 – WARRANTY PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN POLICIES. If a replaced part receives a scrap disposition, the part must be scrapped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal environmental protection and hazardous material regulations. Federal law prohibits selling motor vehicle parts or components that are under safety, compliance, or emissions recall.

 

EXCESS STOCK RETURN

Excess stock returned for credit must have been purchased from Ford Customer Service Division in accordance with Policy Procedure Bulletin 4000.

 

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ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2020 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L ENGINE — NINETEEN GALLON FUEL TANK INCOMPLETE WELD

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove the fuel tank. Please follow Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 310-01A.

2. Remove the fuel pump and sender unit from the fuel tank shell. Please follow WSM procedures in Section 310-01A.

 

NOTICE: Take extra care not to damage the fuel tank level sensor and float arm. Lift the Fuel Pump and Sender unit slightly and disconnect the vapor line first before full removal.

 

3.  Transfer the fuel tank lines to the new fuel tank shell.

 

NOTE: To avoid introducing contamination into the fuel tank, use compressed air to clean the fuel pump and sender unit flange surfaces and the immediate surrounding area of any dirt or foreign material.

 

4. Install the original fuel pump and sender unit onto the new fuel tank shell. Please follow WSM procedures in Section 310-01A.

5. Install the fuel tank assembly. Please follow WSM procedures in Section 310-01A.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Federal law prohibits selling motor vehicle parts or components that are under safety, compliance, or emissions recall. Unless a part is requested to be returned to Ford, all parts replaced under this FSA must be scrapped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal environmental protection and hazardous material regulations. Refer to the Parts Retention, Return, & Scrapping section of the FSA dealer bulletin for further information.

 

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1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FORD	EXPLORER	2020

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3 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V730-8256.pdf 244.208KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V730-9168.PDF 213.879KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD – Safety Recall 20S68 Certain 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Equipped with a 2.3L Engine Nineteen Gallon Fuel Tank Incomplete Weld

RCMN-20V730-8148.pdf 229.073KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V730&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 2021-01-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API