The defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ZETEC ENGINES, LOOSE OR BROKEN ATTACHMENTS AND MISROUTED BATTERY CABLES COULD LEAD TO CABLE INSULATION DAMAGE.
The risk
THIS, IN TURN, COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY CABLES TO SHORT RESULTING IN HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. BESIDES HEAT DAMAGE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START, OR SMOKE, MELTING, OR FIRE COULD ALSO OCCUR.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLES FOR THE CONDITION OF THE CABLE INSULATION AND PROPER TIGHTENING OF THE TERMINAL ENDS. AS NECESSARY, CABLES WILL BE REROUTED, RETAINING CLIPS INSTALLED, AND DAMAGED BATTERY CABLES REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Focus | 2000, 2001 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Focus | 2000 | 3,686 | 11 |
| Ford Focus | 2001 | 1,761 | 7 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2002
34 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the electrical system; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 02V338000 16 Dec 2002 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 02V324000 6 Dec 2002 | KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V284000 30 Oct 2002 | MOTOR COACH IND., INC. |
| 02V267000 1 Oct 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V259000 20 Sept 2002 | PLEASURE-WAY INDUSTRIES LTD. |
| 02V256000 18 Sept 2002 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 02V233000 5 Sept 2002 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 02V225000 15 Aug 2002 | CLUB CAR, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002