2014 Ford F-450 SD problems

What is wrong

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.

Risk

Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

Recall number 15V175000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Life Line Emergency Vehicles (Life Line) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Life Line-modified Ford F-Series emergency vehicles that are equipped with Liquid Spring-brand aftermarket suspension kits. The mounting bracket that attaches the suspension fluid tank to the frame may fail allowing the fluid tank to separate from the vehicle.

Risk

If the suspension fluid tank mount fractures and the tank separates from the chassis, the tank may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began on February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Life Line customer service at 1‑563‑578‑3317.

Recall number 15V024000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1‑800‑247‑5958.

Risk

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1‑800‑247‑5958.

Recall number 14V328000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Risk

The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1‑800‑277‑8245, or Muncie at 1‑800‑367‑7867.

Recall number 14V327000 · Recall details

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V‑535 were inadequate. Recall 13V‑535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V‑175) to address the 13V‑535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V‑175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V‑175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and the federal safety agency will take further action if such action is warranted.

RQ14005