ford safety recall,how long do they honor it?

[greenbikemike]

My son's 1990 F 150 van has a fuel problem that had a recall on it....


NHTSA ID No.: 91V-146
Date of Company Notification: 9-4-91
Make: Ford
Model: Econoline
Model Year: 1989-91
Model: F-150, F-250, F-350
Model Year: 1989
Number of Vehicles: 350,000
Mfg. Campaign No. 91S39. Fuel tank, auxiliary. DOM: 2/89-2/91. Dual function fuel reservoir may malfunction and cause an overfill condition in one of the fuel tanks, resulting in an overflow of fuel past filler cap. Overflow of fuel past filler cap causes a fuel leakage, which can result in fire when exposed to a source of ignition. Correct by replacing dual function fuel reservoirs with new reservoirs containing o-rings of a revised material

ford won't honor it,they only go back 10 years he was told,I know its old but I was told that a "Safety recall" is good till fixed by Ford,and they don't have a record of fixing it,but then again,they can't find his Vin in their system[because it only goes back 10 years]so......is he screwed?
thanks for any info,
Greenbikemike

 

[mtmgtz]

They do expire according to NHTSA's website:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety...le+Safety+Defects+and+Recalls+Campaigns.print

Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?

Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks.

Also, if the manufacturer challenges the agency’s final decision of a safety defect, there is no obligation for the manufacturer to remedy the defect while the case is in court. If you decide to have your vehicle remedied at your own expense while the case is pending and the court upholds NHTSA’s final decision, you may be entitled to reimbursement. (Be sure to save all receipts and paperwork so that you can prove the repairs were made.) However, if the court ultimately rules the defect is not safety related, Federal law does not require that the manufacturer reimburse you for the repair work.

 

[James E]

If I'm reading that NHTSA excerpt correctly, it is not addressing how long the customer has to get the safety item fixed, it's limiting how far back the safety recall applies. By that writing, the OP's safety recall is limited to vehicles dating back to 1982 (ten years prior to the 1991 recall date). That excerpt does not say the OP has 10 years from 1991 to get the recall done.

There may be a forward time limit for the recall, but that's not the policy that applies.

 

[James E]

In fact, I just skimmed that whole page and cannot find where there is a limit to how long a consumer has to get his safety recall done. Like the OP, I thought this was one of those stupid government policies where the manufacturer gets screwed and has to honor the recall--even years later.

 

[autojohn]

What's the Vin no.

 

[jimkaniki]

Ask the service department at a Ford dealer. I think Ford pays them to fix those recalls, so they have no incentive to cover up. I took my truck to the local Ford dealer for some work. They called to tell me that there was an unrelated recall and that they would fix it for free if I said "OK." I said, "OK."

 

[mtmgtz]

If I'm reading that NHTSA excerpt correctly, it is not addressing how long the customer has to get the safety item fixed, it's limiting how far back the safety recall applies. By that writing, the OP's safety recall is limited to vehicles dating back to 1982 (ten years prior to the 1991 recall date). That excerpt does not say the OP has 10 years from 1991 to get the recall done.

There may be a forward time limit for the recall, but that's not the policy that applies.

I think you're right and I did not read what I posted thoroughly.

There is an article on the Washington Post of a Q&A with the Director of the Office of Defects Investigations at the NHTSA that posed this question:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35725-2004Sep20.html?nav=rss_liveonline/business/autos

Fairfax City, Va.: Is there a time limit or an ownership rule on recalls? Say I buy a used car and find out through your database that there was a recall 5 years ago to fix a potentially dangerous problem. But the car was never taken in for the repair. Can I still take it to a dealer now to be fixed? Or am I out of luck?

Kathleen DeMeter: There is no time limit or ownership requirement on getting recall work done. If you buy a used car, you may visit safercar.gov to search for any recalls, past or present, or other safety issues with the particular make, model, and model year of the vehicle. If you find that there has been a recall, you should check with the manufacturer's dealer to find out if the work has been done. If not, you are entitled to have the remedy performed.

 

[greenbikemike]

thanks for the info.....keep it coming because it does seem like a grey area......and it looks to be about a $500.00 fix,at least thats what he was told
but if I have to,I'll take a stab at it....but I'm lean'n on Ford.He was on a 8000 mile road trip with his band and this started acting up in No.Carolina and he had a shop drop the tanks and replace,fuel pump,lines and ?[can't remember now] and it worked for a while,then as he was filling up the back tank,it started filling up the front one too and it came out the vent,also,as he driving,when he switchs tanks,it comes out the overflow pipe....
thanks again
Greenbikemike

 

[Piece-it Pete]

Did you call Fords main number in Michigan?

Pete

 

[gayler]

Safety recalls never expire. I did a ton of those years ago. The first one sucked, but after a few they were a piece of cake. Just before that recall came out my FIL's F-150 and camper burned to the ground.

 

[James E]

Ask the service department at a Ford dealer. I think Ford pays them to fix those recalls, so they have no incentive to cover up. I took my truck to the local Ford dealer for some work. They called to tell me that there was an unrelated recall and that they would fix it for free if I said "OK." I said, "OK."

If I had to guess, this recall is so old that someone would have to order the parts (if they're still available) and reschedule an appointment for a fix. Plus, (and again, you techs please forgive me if I'm wrong) but isn't warranty and recall work paid at a lower rate than regular work? This sounds time-consuming and if the pay rate is lower than other work they've got, I can see why they would avoid the job.

Anything that requires additional work will be automatically avoided by some people.

 

[autojohn]

I work for Ford. Give me the Vin no. and I'll run it through the computer.

 

[bigdav160]

When I was a tech there was no time limit on the repair. Only for the parts. If the recall parts were still available, the dealer was eager to do it.

 

[CJCar]

If you don't get anywhere with Ford, this is not a hard repair. It's most likely the Dual Function Reservoir (Dual tank Selector Valve).

Here's an old thread on it: http://www.f150forum.com/f10/where-buy-dual-function-reservoir-dual-tank-selector-valve-48418/

Here's the part for $160: http://www.amazon.com/F1uz9b263b-Reservoir-Assembly-Fuel-Selector-Ford/dp/B0042HFX68

Here's google images: https://www.google.com/search?q=Dual+function+fuel+reservoir&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=2AfuU9KyCI6RyASN9YGQCg&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1286&bih=785

You will also need the plastic clips that retain the fuel lines. They get brittle and will break when you remove them.

I have had luck tearing this apart, cleaning, replacing the valve/plunger o-rings, and reassembling. The o-ring for the fuel bowl is not available. Be gentle with it. I have "warmed" them up with a heat gun to shrink them back to size.

 

[greenbikemike]

I work for Ford. Give me the Vin no. and I'll run it through the computer.

Thanks for the offer,but I'm having someone do that now and I really don't like posting Vin #'s on line....

If you don't get anywhere with Ford, this is not a hard repair. It's most likely the Dual Function Reservoir (Dual tank Selector Valve).

Here's an old thread on it: http://www.f150forum.com/f10/where-buy-dual-function-reservoir-dual-tank-selector-valve-48418/

Here's the part for $160: http://www.amazon.com/F1uz9b263b-Reservoir-Assembly-Fuel-Selector-Ford/dp/B0042HFX68

Here's google images: https://www.google.com/search?q=Dual+function+fuel+reservoir&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=2AfuU9KyCI6RyASN9YGQCg&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1286&bih=785

You will also need the plastic clips that retain the fuel lines. They get brittle and will break when you remove them.

I have had luck tearing this apart, cleaning, replacing the valve/plunger o-rings, and reassembling. The o-ring for the fuel bowl is not available. Be gentle with it. I have "warmed" them up with a heat gun to shrink them back to size.

Thanks for the links,good write ups and it points me in the right direction if indeed I end up doing it.....I still would like to get Ford to do it,I really don't like laying under old Ford vans and messing with fuel....but.........kids,what ya gonna do....
thanks all,any other tips are welcome....
Greenbikemike

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If I'm reading that NHTSA excerpt correctly, it is not addressing how long the customer has to get the safety item fixed, it's limiting how far back the safety recall applies. By that writing, the OP's safety recall is limited to vehicles dating back to 1982 (ten years prior to the 1991 recall date). That excerpt does not say the OP has 10 years from 1991 to get the recall done.

There may be a forward time limit for the recall, but that's not the policy that applies.

You are correct. Ford HAS to fix it...

Tommy

 

[GreyOwl]

Thanks for the offer,but I'm having someone do that now and I really don't like posting Vin #'s on line....
Greenbikemike

You can post it in a private message to him if it would make you feel better. Posting it is no worst than anyone walking by it and writing down the number(not like they are in a secure location any more)

 

[BrownEnterprises]

Here at GM we are still doing recalls on 90-2000 model Grand Ams/Grand Prix's for a engine fire problem. So I believe Ford should honor your recall as well. Dosen't seem to be a problem as far as GM's BS recalls are concerned.

 

[KANSASBOY]

I just fix this same problem on a 1992 F-150 my son bought . The truck did have the recall done at some point because i found ford fix for the bad check valves http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-OEM-F3...Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c429a3018&vxp=mtr
on my son truck this valve whet bad there heard to find plus the pumps were old so we just replace both of them .

 

[POS Racing]

Owners may not always know their recalled vehicle still needs to be repaired. NHTSA's new search tool lets you enter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to quickly learn if a specific vehicle has not been repaired as part of a safety recall in the last 15 years.

https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/

 

[greenbikemike]

Thanks,I entered the #as did the Ford dealer,and it dosen't recognize the # so we're trying to get Ford to go back and look it up in their files.....
thanks again
Greenbikemike