The defect
ON CERTAIN POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE RIM NEAR THE WELD LINE THAT CONNECTS THE RIM TO THE DISK.
The risk
THE CRACKS CAN ULTIMATELY RESULT IN RAPID AIR LOSS FROM THE TIRE AND COULD AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FOUR ROAD WHEELS AND SPARE WHEEL WITH THE MANUFACTURING DATE CODES OF AUGUST 18, 2001 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2002. IN ADDITION, FORD IS PROVIDING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR WHEELS ON 2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR AND TAXIS BUILT FROM OCTOBER 1, 2002 THROUGH APRIL 29, 2003. THESE WHEELS ARE EXHIBITING CRACKS AT A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RATE THAN THOSE WHEELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2003 |
| Ford Cvpi | 2003 |
Components: WHEELS
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 Crown Victoria | 2003 | 249 | 5 |
| Ford Cvpi | 2003 | 78 | 3 |
Other wheels recalls in 2003
11 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the wheels; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 03V468000 25 Nov 2003 | DUTCHMEN MANUFACTURING, INC. |
| 03V437000 4 Nov 2003 | FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC. |
| 03V434000 4 Nov 2003 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 03V366000 6 Oct 2003 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 03V307000 22 Aug 2003 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 03V300000 12 Aug 2003 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 03V212000 5 Jun 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V136000 7 Apr 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003