The safety compliance recall covers more than 370,000 2015- to 2017-model year vehicles in the U.S.
by Staff
June 28, 2017
Photo of Ford Transit van courtesy of Ford.
2 min to read
Photo of Ford Transit van courtesy of Ford.
Ford Motor Co. is recalling 370,630 2015- to 2017-model year Ford Transit vehicles in the U.S. so dealers can replace the driveshaft flexible coupling, the automaker said.
The recall affects Transit vehicles with medium, long and extended wheelbases and chassis cab/cutaways with medium wheelbases. If these vans are driven with a cracked flexible coupling, the driveshaft might separate. This could result in a loss of motive power while driving or unintended vehicle movement in park when the parking brake isn't applied, Ford explained in a released statement about the recall.
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In addition, separation of the driveshaft from the transmission might cause secondary damage to surrounding components, including brake and fuel lines, Ford said. A driveshaft separation poses a safety risk, potentially raising the chances of a crash.
Ford noted, however, the company isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
The vehicles at risk for driveline separation have logged at least 30,000 miles, field data indicate. Consequently, vehicles with under 30,000 miles — or vehicles that have had the driveshaft or driveshaft flexible coupling replaced within the last 30,000 miles — don’t require an alteration or interim repair until the vehicle or the flexible coupling reaches the 30,000-mile mark. At that point, the vehicle owner should schedule an appointment for the interim repair, Ford advised.
The interim repair will consist of replacing the driveshaft flexible coupling every 30,000 miles until the final repair is available and completed.
Vehicle owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take the Transit to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the flexible coupling replaced immediately at no cost. When the permanent repair is available, owners will be notified that they may schedule an appointment for the installation of either a redesigned flexible coupling with a modified driveshaft bracket and shield, or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint. There will be no charge for this service.
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The recall covers 2015-17 Ford Transit vehicles built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant from Jan. 17, 2014, to June 15 of this year.
In addition to the Transit vehicles recalled in the U.S., 2,361 will be recalled in federalized territories for the same problem. Also recalled will be 3,217 Transits in Mexico and 26,254 in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 17S15.
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