Attachment III-B (Multi-Vehicle Owners)
February, 1988(Name) (Address) (City)
Dear Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford Motor Company has obtained information that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1983 through 1987-model Econoline vehicles that can create an unreasonable risk of injury in certain circumstances in which they may be operated.
Econolines Involved:
Included in this recall are 1983 through 1987-Model Econoline E250/E350 vehicles equipped with 7.5 Liter engines. Also included are 1985 through 1987-model Econoline E250/E350 vehicles equipped with 5.8 Liter 4V H.D. engines. All of these vehicles are rated over 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weights (GVW).
This notice is for the vehicles that are described on the attachment.
Safety Defect:
Investigations by Ford indicate the potential for fires related to fuel leaks or expulsion of fuel from the filler pipe when the filler caps are removed. In the presence of an ignition source, leaking or expelled gasoline or accompanying vapors could ignite. A vehicle fire and an unreasonable risk of injury could result.
Unlike typical safety recall campaigns, Ford has not identified one specific cause of fires in these vehicles. Rather, the risk of fire is believed to result from a combination of adverse factors such as a vehicle's overall mechanical condition, including excessive underbody temperatures and fuel system
pressures. Other adverse factors include the operating practices to which it may be subjected and the use in some localities of highly-volatile "Winter Grade" gasoline during hot weather.
Repairs:
At no cost to you, your dealer will inspect your vehicles for the presence of conditions that can cause or contribute to excessive underbody temperatures and/or fuel system over-pressurization.
In addition, your dealer will perform certain modifications to your vehicles to make them more tolerant of excessive underbody heat as well as fuel system over-pressurization.
Additional Repair For Vehicles Used in Higher Elevation:
If you operate your vehicles at altitudes over 4,000 feet in elevation, your dealer will make certain other modifications. Be sure you tell your dealer if you operate your vehicles at higher altitudes so that this added repair can be done for you.
How Long Will It Take?
The time needed to perform this service will take one full day.
Responsibility For Discrepancies Found During Inspection:
Owners of vehicles covered by this safety recall program are responsible for any repairs necessary to correct discrepancies found during the inspection that were introduced after Ford manufacture. In some cases, Ford Econoline chassis were used by Body Builders to manufacture recreational vehicles, motorhomes, buses, etc. For those types of vehicles, it may be advisable to contact the vehicle distributor and/or the final stage manufacturer for assistance with these repairs. Correction of any discrepancies involving overdue maintenance or unrepaired damage is the responsibility of the owner, and will not be corrected at Ford's expense.
Is This Vehicle Used In Emergency Medical Services?
If the vehicles are used in emergency medical service, please fill out the enclosed cards and return them. Certain vehicles used in this type of service are covered by a previously announced Safety Recall and it is important that all EMS vehicles manufactured from the type of Econolines described above receive the required service for this other Safety Recall.
Have You Changed Addresses or Sold the Vehicle?
The enclosed cards should also be filled out and returned if you no longer own the vehicles (as identified by serial number) or if you have moved to another address.
What You Should Do:
Contact your Ford dealer to arrange for the service provided by this recall. All Ford dealers, including Ford Heavy Truck dealers, have been provided with the necessary information to perform the recall service. PLEASE BRING THIS
LETTER (AND THE ATTACHED VEHICLE LISTING) WITH YOU AT THE TIME EACH OF THESE VEHICLES IS TAKEN IN FOR THIS SERVICE.
Information Enclosed:
Additionally, we are also enclosing a paper describing the importance of sound operating practices which can minimize the potential for higher fuel pressure and possible fuel expulsion.
If the inspection and modifications are not carried out promptly and without charge after you present the vehicles to your dealer, please contact us. Our address is shown on the letterhead of this notification letter. You also may send a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline 800-424-9393.
We regret the inconvenience this service may cause you, but we want you to have this work done for your safety and satisfaction with your Ford-built trucks.