The defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE PINCH BOLTS THAT SECURE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
The risk
LOOSE PINCH BOLTS COULD EXHIBIT NOISE, VIBRATION AND, IN EXTREME CASES IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, SEPARATION OF THE JOINT OR FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE PINCH BOLT FOR TIGHTNESS AND CORRECT AS NECESSARY. 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 MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Focus | 2000, 2001 |
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES
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 steering recalls in 2002
26 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the steering; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 02V330000 12 Dec 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V326000 2 Dec 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V294000 6 Nov 2002 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC. |
| 02V286000 4 Nov 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V285000 23 Oct 2002 | BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC |
| 02V037007 8 Oct 2002 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC. |
| 02V265000 25 Sept 2002 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 02V037006 15 Aug 2002 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002