Safety Recall 06S42 - Reprogram Power Liftgate Module (06S42)
Publication date: 2006-03-08Reference number: 06S42
SAFETY RECALL 06S42 - REPROGRAM POWER LIFTGATE MODULE
SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
| FORD: | 2005-2006 Freestar |
| MERCURY: | 2005-2006 Monterey |
SAFETY RECALL 06S42
SUBJECT
Safety Recall 06S42:
Certain 2005 & 2006 Model Year Freestar & Monterey Vehicles Equipped With Power Liftgate Option
Reprogram Power Liftgate Module
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Certain 2005 and 2006 model year Freestar and Monterey vehicles built at the Oakville Assembly Plant from Job #1 through December 13, 2005. Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS. In addition, visit https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com for a list of vehicles assigned to your dealership. This information will be available on March 8, 2006.
REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL
In the event of a liftgate strut malfunction, the liftgate may fall freely without warning after the liftgate is powered open. If the vehicle operator or passenger is standing beneath the liftgate when it falls, an injury may result.
SERVICE ACTION
Dealers are to reprogram the power liftgate modules on all affected vehicles to the latest software version. The latest software version may be obtained at www.motorcraft.com (refer to Attachment III for software levels).
The latest software version allows the motor to sense a falling liftgate and activate an un-commanded power close mode to control lowering of the liftgate in the event that a strut failure occurs.
This recall must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner. Do not demonstrate or deliver affected vehicles that remain in your new vehicle inventory until this safety recall has been completed.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail the week of March 13, 2006. 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 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. 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
- Customer Notification Letter
QUESTIONS?
Special Service Support Center (Dealer Only) ... 1-800-325-5621
ATTACHMENT I
Safety Recall 06S42:
Certain 2005 & 2006 Model Year Freestar & Monterey Vehicles Equipped With Power Liftgate Option
Reprogram Power Liftgate Module
OASIS ACTIVATED?
Yes. OASIS will be activated by March 8, 2006.
FSA VIN LIST ACTIVATED?
Yes.
Available through FMCDealer.com or at https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com by March 8, 2006. Owner names and addresses will be available by March 22, 2006.
STOCK VEHICLES
Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
SOLD VEHICLES
- 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. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to deny coverage for related damage in cases where the vehicle owner has not had this recall performed on a timely basis.
ADDITIONAL LABOR TIME
This repair will require no additional labor time to complete. Claims submitted with "MT" labor will not be accepted for reimbursement.
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 6251, Dearborn, MI 48121-6251.
- 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 the recall on the vehicle.
- Refund Claiming Information (Submit on separate repair line.)
- - Program Code: 06S42
- - Misc. Expense: REFUND
- - Misc. Expense: ADMIN
- - 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).
- Refer to ACESII manual for claims preparation and submission information.
ATTACHMENT II
Safety Recall 06S42:
Certain 2005 & 2006 Model Year Freestar & Monterey Vehicles Equipped With Power Liftgate Option
Reprogram Power Liftgate Module
LABOR ALLOWANCES
| Description | Labor Operation | Labor Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reprogram the power liftgate module to the latest calibration level, power open the liftgate and check for proper operation*. | 06S42B | 0.3 Hour |
*NOTE: If the power liftgate does not operate properly or enters into an un-commanded power close mode after performing the power liftgate module reprogramming, call the Special Service Support Center at 1-800-325-5621 for further direction.
PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION
PARTS REQUIREMENTS - None
ATTACHMENT III
Safety Recall 06S42:
Certain 2005 & 2006 Model Year Freestar & Monterey Vehicles Equipped With Power Liftgate Option
Reprogram Power Liftgate Module
REPROGRAMMING THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE
- Verify that the scan tool (WDS or VCM) is updated to software version B42.1 P1 or later.
- Reprogram the power liftgate (PLG) module (also called the liftgate/trunk [LTM] module) to the latest software version using one of the following methods:
- Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS).
- Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) software with appropriate hardware.
- If unable to reprogram the PLG module:
- prior to disconnecting the scan tool and closing the session, call the Special Service Support Center at 1-800-325-5621 for further instructions.
- Power open the liftgate by using either the key fob or the overhead console switch.
- If the liftgate remains open, power close the liftgate using either the key fob or overhead console switch. Service is complete. Release the vehicle.
- Once open, if the liftgate freely falls or goes into "power close" mode (accompanied by an audible alert that sounds four [4] times per second) without activating either the key fob or overhead switch, contact the Special Service Support Center at 1-800-325-5621 for further instruction.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL REIMBURSEMENT PLAN FOR 06S42
Ford Motor Company has historically reimbursed customers for expenses to remedy a safety recall defect or noncompliance that were incurred before the customer was notified of the recall. These reimbursements have been processed through our dealer network, because our dealers are in the best position to quickly and efficiently satisfy these requests. We will continue to provide this service to our customers. However, new federal legislation now requires all motor vehicle manufacturers to establish processes through which customers may alternatively seek recall reimbursement directly from the manufacturer as well as from the dealers.
Regarding the specific reimbursement plan for Recall 06S42, owners who have paid for service to remedy the defect or noncompliance must have had that service performed prior to March 27, 2006 (the "ending date" referred to in the letter below). After this date, if repairs related to this recall are performed by a non-Ford repair facility in an emergency situation, customers must submit any refund requests through their dealership. As required by this federal regulation, Ford Motor Company submitted the details of its updated General Recall Reimbursement Plan in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in February 2005. The following is the text of that letter and the Plan:
GENERAL RECALL REIMBURSEMENT PLAN (As submitted to the NHTSA)
Pursuant to the requirements set forth in 49 CFR Part 573 and Part 577 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Ford Motor Company (Ford) is submitting required information pertaining to our general reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by vehicle owners before they are notified of a related safety recall.
As indicated in our February 28, 2003 letter to the agency concerning reimbursement, prior to this rule Ford routinely reimbursed owners for the cost of such pre-notification remedies. Our practice will continue as described in the February 2003 letter. Set forth below is Ford's general reimbursement plan to reimburse owners and purchasers for costs incurred for remedies in advance of notification of potential safety-related defects or noncompliance pursuant to Part 573.6(c)(8)(i).
Reimbursement Notification
Ford's notice to a vehicle owner in accordance with 49 CFR Part 577 will indicate that Ford is offering a refund if the owner paid to have service to remedy the defect or noncompliance prior to a specified ending date. In accordance with Part 573.13 (c)(2), this ending date will be defined as 10 calendar days after the date on which Ford mailed the last of its Part 577 notifications to owners, and will be indicated in the specific reimbursement plan available to owners for an individual recall. This notice will direct owners to seek eligible reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford at the following address:
- Ford Motor Company
- P.O. Box 6251
- Dearborn, MI 48121-6251
Ford notes that this rule allows for the identification of a beginning date for reimbursement eligibility. Under the rule, an owner who paid to remedy the defect or noncompliance prior to the identified beginning date would not be eligible for reimbursement. Ford generally has not established such a beginning date for reimbursement eligibility and does not presently anticipate changing this general policy; however, in any case where Ford determines a beginning date is appropriate, Ford will indicate that date in the owner notice.
Costs to be Reimbursed
For vehicles, reimbursement will not be less than the lesser of:
- The amount paid by the owner for the remedy, or
- The cost of parts for the remedy (to be no more than the manufacturer's list retail price for authorized parts), plus associated labor at local labor rates, miscellaneous fees (such as disposal of waste) and taxes
For replacement equipment, reimbursement will be the amount paid by the owner for the replacement item (limited by the amount of the retail list price of the defective or noncompliant item that was replaced, plus taxes, where the brand or model purchased by the owner was different than the brand or model that was the subject of the recall). If the item of motor vehicle equipment was repaired, the reimbursement provisions identified above for vehicles will apply.
Ford notes that costs incurred by the owner within the period during which Ford's original or extended warranty would have provided for a free repair of the problem will not be eligible for reimbursement, as provided by Part 573.13 (d)(1).
Entities Authorized to Provide Reimbursement
Ford will continue to use authorized dealers to reimburse owners under the specific reimbursement plans for a particular recall, and will encourage owners to pursue requests for reimbursement directly through dealers to expedite reimbursement. Ford will also provide a mailing address to which customers can, at their option, send requests for reimbursement directly to Ford, as previously noted. Requests for reimbursement sent directly to Ford may take up to 60 days to process. Whether the owner chooses to pursue reimbursement requests through a dealer or directly through Ford, the owner will be directed to submit the required documentation, upon which reimbursement eligibility will be determined.
Required Documentation
The reimbursement determination will depend upon the information provided by the customer. Consistent with Part 573.13(d)(4) the following information must be submitted:
- Claimant name and address
- Vehicle make, model and model year
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) and, for replacement equipment, a description of such equipment or, for tires, the model, size and TIN (DOT code)
- Identification of the recall number (either the Ford recall number or the NHTSA recall number)
- Identification of the owner of the recalled vehicle at the time that the pre-notification remedy was obtained
- An original receipt for the pre-notification remedy that includes a breakdown of the amount for parts, labor, other costs and taxes, including costs for the replacement item. Where the receipt covers work other than to address the recall or noncompliance, Ford may require the claimant to separately identify costs that are eligible for reimbursement.
- If the remedy was obtained during the warranty period, documentation indicating that the warranty was not honored or the warranty repair did not correct the problem related to the recall.
Failure to submit all of the above information may result in denial of the reimbursement request.
Additional Information
The Part 577 required owner notice will provide a toll-free telephone number through which specific information about the reimbursement plan can be requested from Ford.
This general reimbursement plan will be incorporated into notifications pursuant to Part 573.6 by reference. Information specific to an individual recall also may be incorporated into the Part 573.6 notification.