Recalls On Your Vehicle

Recalls are a legal demand by the Federal Government that an auto or truck maker provide specific repairs to a particular make and model of vehicle. The manufacturer is required to contact all owners. Recalls don't expire so the manufacturer is always responsible to repair, replace or repurchase the defective vehicle, even if the car was bought pre-owned. The purpose of this is so that owners who don't receive a notice (which happens often in the case of a car bought second hand) are still protected. However, there is an exception to the automaker's responsibility: they are not required to repair defects for free if they are first discovered more than 8 years after manufacture -- thus protecting manufacturers from having to repair old cars for which the safety technology did not exist at the time it was built. But once there is a recall it stays in effect forever.

Following is an example of a recall notification:

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM
04B22
 
All 2004 and Certain 2005 Model Year Vehicles Equipped With 5R55S/5R55E/5R44E Transmissions 5R55S/E & 5R44E Transmission Fluid Additive
Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division
 		 Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
 
January 2005


 

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers
SUBJECT: Update: Supplement Announcement
Customer Satisfaction Program 04B22 - Supplement #1:
All 2004 and Certain 2005 Model Year Vehicles
Equipped With 5R55S/5R55E/5R44E Transmissions
5R55S/E & 5R44E Transmission Fluid Additive
RE: Customer Satisfaction Program 04B22 dated January 2005
5R55S/E & 5R44E Transmission Fluid Additive

PROGRAM TERMS

This program will be in effect until March 31, 2005 regardless of mileage.

   REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT

This bulletin is being re-issued to clarify the following points:

Expiration Date:
The original dealer bulletin was published with an expiration date of March 31, 2005 to encourage dealers and customers to have this service performed as soon as possible. The 5R55S/E & 5R44E Transmission Fluid Additive will prevent the delayed/harsh reverse engagements on vehicles that do not yet exhibit this condition. The expiration date of this program will be reassessed early March 2005 and, based on completion rates, may be extended accordingly.

Urgency:
We recommend that dealers repair all of their in-stock vehicles as soon as possible and utilize their FSA VIN list (available 1/12/2005) to contact customers with affected vehicles to help minimize the number of vehicles that may develop a delayed/harsh reverse engagement, which requires a more extensive repair.

Transmission Fluid Additive Availability:
Since the January 4, 2005 program launch, enough material has been shipped to both dealers and Ford Authorized Distributors (FADs) to repair approximately a third of the total affected vehicle population. By Friday, January 21, 2005 additional material is scheduled and order shipments will resume with sufficient weekly shipments thereafter to service 100% of the affected vehicle population by early February 2005.

Ordering Information:
Parts will not be direct shipped for this program. Order your parts requirements through normal Ford order processing channels or through your local Ford Authorized Distributor (FAD). The unit of issue for 4L2Z-19B546-AA is twelve (12) six (6) ounce bottles of 5R55S/E & 5R44E Transmission Additive; e.g., an order for one (1) 4L2Z-19B546-AA equals a case of twelve bottles of additive that will service twelve (12) vehicles.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

All 2004 and certain 2005 model year vehicles equipped with 5R55S, 5R55E, or 5R44E transmissions and built between Job #1 2004 through September 22, 2004.

Vehicle Line Assembly Plant
Explorer 4 Door Louisville and St. Louis Assembly Plants
Mountaineer Louisville and St. Louis Assembly Plants
Explorer Sport Trac Louisville Assembly Plant
Lincoln Aviator St. Louis Assembly Plant
Lincoln LS Wixom Assembly Plant
Thunderbird Wixom Assembly Plant
Ranger Edison and Twin Cities Assembly Plants

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 made available on 01/06/2005.

REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM

The affected vehicles were originally filled with an improperly formulated transmission fluid that, over time, may cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements.

SERVICE ACTION

At no charge to the vehicle owner, dealers are to install one bottle of 5R55S/E & 5R44E Transmission Fluid Additive to each affected vehicle. This will correct the formulation of the transmission fluid and maintain the shift quality of the transmission.

NOTE: It is extremely important that all in-stock vehicles are repaired prior to delivery. This transmission fluid additive will prevent the delayed/harsh reverse engagements on vehicles that do not yet exhibit this condition.

ATTACHMENTS

  • Attachment I: Administrative Information
  • Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
  • Attachment III: Technical Information

Customer Notification Letter

QUESTIONS?
Claims Information: ............................................................ 1-800-423-8851
Special Service Support Center (Dealer Only) Questions: .......... 1-800-325-5621

  • Prior Approval
  • Warranty Claims Questions
  • General Field Service Actions, Questions, or Comments

*** A copy of a typical recall will include:

Click Here To Request A Recall List