Vehicle Data Hub

Recall 01V-258

FORD MOTOR COMPANY recalled the 2000 to 2001 Ford Excursion and 14 other models: Visibility (windshield wiper/washer, motor).

At a glance

Campaign number
01V-258
Reported
August 8, 2001
Vehicles affected
1,083,000 estimated by the manufacturer

Source: NHTSA recall records

What is wrong

Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.

The risk

Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.

The fix

Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-[removed].

Notes from the manufacturer

Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-DOT (1-[removed]).

Affected vehicles