CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'
Safety risk
THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.
Manufacturer remedy
THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Safety risk
AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Vehicle speed control
171
91,000 mi
Electrical system
24
86,000 mi
Engine
24
113,000 mi
Power train
20
106,000 mi
Air bags
18
72,000 mi
Service brakes
15
80,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling
14
70,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
12
92,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
11
66,125 mi
Unknown or other
11
89,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
9
55,000 mi
Structure
9
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
5
72,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
5
99,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
4
130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
4
90,000 mi
Seat belts
4
113,000 mi
Steering
4
87,000 mi
Structure: body
4
87,000 mi
Tires
4
125,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
4
46,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables
4
75,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
3
128,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
2
70,000 mi
Suspension
2
116,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt
2
31,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
1
25,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
30,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
1
66,125 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
1
58,531 mi
Equipment
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
1
300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
1
50,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter
1
—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
1
14,323 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint
1
—
Service brakes, air: disc: pads
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
54,021 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
1
—
Structure: body: door
1
40,000 mi
Structure: frame and members
1
—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing
1
14,323 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
1
178,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: throttle
1
169,530 mi
Visibility
1
37,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear
1
96,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
1
25,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
1
—
Visibility: windshield
1
43,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
1
—
The 2005 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2007 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.