Vehicles Involved, Description of Defect and Correction, Owners/Dealers Action and Dealer Obligation
VEHICLES INVOLVED1984 Ranger light trucks equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks and built at the Louisville Assembly Plant from September 5 through October 4, 1983.
DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT AND CORRECTION
Ford Motor Company has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain of the involved 1984 Ranger light trucks equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks. On some of these vehicles the fuel or vapor lines may have been damaged during assembly when adjacent frame crossmember bolts were tightened. In addition, there is a possibility that some of these bolts may not have been fully tightened, or may be missing. Because the crossmember supports the fuel tank, loose or missing bolts create a potential for fuel tank damage. Fuel line or fuel tank damage increases the risk of fuel spillage, particularly in the event of a vehicle collision. If fuel leakage were to occur, and an ignition source were present, the potential for a fire would exist.
To correct this condition, the fuel lines and number 5 crossmember fasteners are to be inspected and, if necessary, damaged fuel lines must be replaced and crossmember fasteners are to be tightened or installed.
Vehicles with leaking fuel lines should not be driven until the fuel line is replaced.
Inspection and repair procedures, parts information and claiming instructions are provided in this Service Recall Bulletin.
*** IMPORTANT ***
NO VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL THAT IS CURRENTLY IN YOUR POSSESSION IS TO BE DELIVERED UNTIL THE FUEL LINES AND NO. 5 CROSSMEMBER BOLTS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND ANY NECESSARY CORRECTIONS ARE PERFORMED.
ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONTENTS OF THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO YOUR SUPERVISING LOCATION OR THIS OFFICE.
NOTIFICATION OF OWNERS/DEALER ACTIONS
The enclosed list identifies units delivered to your dealership which are involved in this recall. If no vehicle listing is enclosed, you are not involved at this time, and this Service Recall Bulletin is for information only. Other eligible vehicles may be brought to your dealership by their owners for this recall service. Those units also are to be corrected as promptly as possible. If the owner of any eligible vehicle does not have a Customer Notification and Dealer Claim Form (FED-1864), a blank Form 1864 should be completed by you and sent in for reimbursement. For Dealers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands - To determine vehicle eligibility, please use "CARES".
Vehicle owners whose names and addresses are shown on the enclosed recall listing are being notified by First Class Mail. If you have knowledge that a suspect vehicle has been sold, but the owner's name and address does not appear on the listing, please contact the owner immediately and provide him a copy of the owner letter. If the owner of any vehicle cannot be contacted or does not make an appointment to have his vehicle corrected, advise your supervising location or Wixom of the owner's name and address so that we can handle further notification.
DEALERSHIP OBLIGATIONS
Dealers are obligated to perform this recall service promptly following presentation of the vehicle by the owners. United States law requires that we advise owners in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and certain territories of the procedure to be followed by them in informing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if the defect is not corrected without charge within a reasonable time after the vehicle is brought in. This notice is included in the owner letter (copy attached) to be sent to owners in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Canal Zone, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. It is also important, however, that you promptly report (to your supervising location or Wixom) any instances in which an owner will not allow you to complete this recall because of objections to delays in scheduling, or for any other reason.