2001 Ford F-150

Issue: 
This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. 
Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. 

Safety Risk: 
Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. 
 
Corrective Actions: 
The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.

On certain 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250, and 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently operated in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the fuel tank straps could corrode and fail.  This could allow the fuel tank to contact the ground, which may compromise the tank's integrity and permit fuel leakage.  Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction:  Dealers will install fuel tank straps with improved corrosion protection.

On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire.  The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation.  Correction: Initially as an interim repair, owners will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.  As soon as replacement parts are available, owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a new switch or fused wiring harness.

On certain vehicles, Ford has issued a scheduled maintenance guide update which specifies that every 20 000 kms, the steering linkage, which includes tie-rod ends, should be inspected.  The vehicle owner is asked to place the tie-rod end inspection procedure supplied with this maintenance guide update in the vehicle's glove box for reference and safekeeping.  The vehicle owner is to provide the inspection procedure to their repair facility to help properly identify worn tie-rod ends.  Performing the vehicle scheduled maintenance, including maintenance inspections, is the responsibility of the vehicle owner.  Failure to replace worn tie-rod ends may eventually result in a tie-rod end separation that could adversely affect steering control.  If the inspection reveals that a tie-rod end is worn and must be replaced, the repair will be at the owner's expense unless the vehicle is still covered by the basic vehicle warranty, or has an extended service plan coverage that includes these components.

Certain passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, smoke or, potentially, ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield.  Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced.