NHTSA Investigation EA01002

PARKING BRAKE

ON MAY 11, 1998, FORD MOTOR COMPANY FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE FAILURE ON CERTAIN 1999 F-350 SUPER DUTY VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM JANUARY 26, 1998 THROUGH APRIL 24, 1998; RECALL 98V-101.THE REDUCTION IN PARKING BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS MAY OCCUR ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, AND IS CAUSED BY THE RUST PREVENTATIVE COATING THE SURFACE OF THE PARKING BRAKE LINING MATERIAL WHICH REDUCES THE FRICTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AT THE LINING AND ROTOR INTERFACE.ON MARCH 13, 2000, ODI OPENED RQ00-010 ON PARKING BRAKE FAILURES ON 1999-2000 MODEL YEAR SUPER DUTY F-SERIES VEHICLES, ON THE BASIS OF SIX FAILURE REPORTS ON THOSE VEHICLES.THE DATA RECEIVED FROM FORD IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE RQ00-010 INFORMATION REQUEST, REVEALED A HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR THE 1999 F-450/550 VEHICLES (1200R/100K), AND A HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE 1999 F-350 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED OUTSIDE THE RECALL BUILD MONTHS.ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA01-002 WAS OPENED JANUARY 12, 2001, WHEN ODI UPGRADED RQ00-010.ON MARCH 5, 2002, FORD MOTOR COMPANY FILED A DEFECT INFORATION REPORT CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE CABLES IN 1999 MODEL YEAR FORD F-250/350/450/550 VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIOMS, BUILT FROM JANUARY 3, 1998 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1998; SAFETY RECALL 02V-068.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS ATTACHED.

An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.