Safety Recall 04S13 - Powertrain Control Module RECALIBRATION (04S13)

SUBJECT

Safety Recall 04S13:

Certain 2001-2003 Model Year Escape Vehicles Equipped with 3.0L V6 Engine

Powertrain Control Module Re-Calibration

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Certain 2001-2003 model year Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant from Job #1 2001 through September 11, 2002. Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS. In addition, for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership, visit https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com the week of April 12, 2004.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

The affected vehicles may exhibit an intermittent engine quit and restart condition due to calibration errors with the EVAP monitor and system interaction between the calibration, the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV), and EVAP system hardware. This condition is most likely to occur while decelerating under 40 mph, and could result in the vehicle being involved in a crash without warning.

SERVICE ACTION

At no charge to the vehicle owner, dealers are instructed to reflash the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to calibration level B30.7 or later. Be sure that your Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) or New Generation STAR Tester (NGS) is updated to the latest calibration level. This must be done on all of the affected vehicles in your inventory prior to delivery as well as vehicles that have been delivered to customers.

PLEASE NOTE:  Correct all vehicles in stock before delivery. Federal law requires dealers to complete any outstanding safety 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 $5,000 per vehicle.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Attachment I: Administrative Information
2. Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
3. Attachment III: Technical Information
4. Customer Notification Letter

QUESTIONS

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

OASIS ACTIVATED?

Yes

FSA VIN LIST ACTIVATED?

Yes, available the week of April 12, 2004.

Available through FMCDealer.com or at https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com.

STOCK VEHICLES

Correct all affected stock vehicles before delivery.

SOLD VEHICLES

• Owners of affected vehicles will be directed to dealers for repairs.
• Immediately contact any of your affected owners whose vehicles are not on your VIN lists but are identified in OASIS. Give the owner a copy of the Customer 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 Field Service Action.

RELATED DAMAGE

If a related damage condition exists that you believe to be caused by the covered condition, call the Special Service Support Center to request approval prior to the repair of any related damage. Requests for approval after completion of the repair will not be granted.

ADDITIONAL LABOR TIME

• This repair will require no additional labor time to complete. Claims submitted with "MT" labor will not be accepted for reimbursement unless approved.
• If you encounter aftermarket equipment or modifications to the vehicle which might prevent the repair of the covered condition, call the Special Service Support Center.

OWNER REFUNDS

• Ford Motor Company is offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which is posted with this bulletin. This plan is also available to owners through the Customer Relationship Center (CRC). The CRC will direct owners to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford Motor Company at P.O. Box 1904, Dearborn, MI 48121.
• Dealers are also authorized to refund owner-paid emergency repairs that were performed away from an authorized servicing dealer after the end date specified in the reimbursement plan. Refund claims that include other non-covered repairs, or those judged by Ford to be excessive, will not be accepted for reimbursement.
• This safety recall must still be performed, even if the customer has paid for a previous repair. Claiming a refund will not close out the VIN for this recall.
• Refund Claiming Information (Submit on separate repair line.)
  • Program Code: 04S13
  • Misc. Expense: ADMIN
  • Misc. Expense: REFUND
  • Misc. Expense: 0.2 Hrs.

RENTAL VEHICLES

The use of rental vehicles is not authorized for this program.

CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

• Enter claims using Direct Warranty Entry (DWE).
• Refund must be claimed on a repair line that is separate from the repair line on which the FSA is claimed.
• Refer to ACESII manual for claims preparation and submission information.

LABOR ALLOWANCES

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

DEALER PRICE

Not applicable.

PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN

Not applicable.

EXCESS STOCK RETURN

Not applicable.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Reprogram the PCM to the latest level calibration. Use one (1) of the following two (2) methods:
   • Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS), updated to release level B 30.7 or later.
   • New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester with Rotunda Flash Cable (007-00531) and Rotunda Flash Card (007-00532). The calibration must be downloaded to a flash card using WDS updated to release level B 30.7 or later.

IF UNABLE TO REPROGRAM PCM

• PCM replacement will not be covered under this program.
• Prior to disconnecting the WDS from the vehicle and closing the session, call the Special Service Support Center at 1-800-325-5621.

PREPARE AUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS LABEL

1. Obtain and prepare the Authorized Modifications Label. Describe the modification performed, and enter your P & A Code, date of repair and the recall program type and program number. See Fig 1 .
   Fig 1: Authorized Modifications Label

   
2. Clean an area on the upper radiator support.
3. Apply the label to this clean area, then cover it with a clear plastic overlay.