Ford Recalls Trucks over Drivetrain Concerns
Ford Motor Company is recalling 509 pickup trucks after discovering a potentially damaging drivetrain condition.
The manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) on March 27, 2017. The recall affects 509 units of 2017 Ford F-450 and 2017 Ford F-550 Superduty pickup trucks.
According to the safety recall notice Ford sent to the NHTSA, the condition applies only to a very specific subset of F-450s and F-550s: those equipped with a 6.8L gas engine, 4×4 drive, 205” wheel base and 4.88 axle ratio. Vehicles with this specific configuration can experience vibration caused by a “powertrain system resonance condition” at speeds above 75 miles per hour. Continued operation of the vehicle at these speeds could create a resonance frequency that can fracture the transmission and/or driveline components.
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Ford said they learned of the issue after several warranty claims made in February and March 2017 brought it to their attention. Their engineering analysis showed driveshaft fractures caused by the resonance frequency that particular configuration creates at certain speeds. Following an internal investigation, Ford approved the recall on March 20.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft and two center bearing brackets, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 6, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. The Ford recall number is 17S08.
The vehicles in question are not produced in VIN order. Concerned Ford owners can call Ford’s toll-free line at 1-866-436-7332 or contact their local Ford dealer.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally compelled to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.