I'm kind of new around here... posted this in pre-97 before realizing that this folder existed. Any insight on this topic would be appreciated:


Hi - I recently bought a 'new to me' 1988 F-150. Whenever I buy a new (used) car I try to lookup what recalls there may be and determine whether they were fixed and resolve as needed (am especially concerned with SAFETY related items).

From my searching there was/is at least one safety recall related to this vehicle. Upon contacting Ford I am told that this vehilce is:

1) Past 10 years old and no longer eligible for any recall work

AND, what is particularily frustrating, they also said:

2) Because it is past 10 years, they have deleted all records and can not (or will not) tell me if any recall/warranty work was completed on this vehicle.

Seems strange that their obligation for a safety recall would 'expire', but it seems outrageous that they will not even share the info as to wheter the problem was ever fixed/covered in the past.

Any comments or can anyone tell me if this is accurate (legal) info that I've been told???

 

They are right, after 10 years, unless something new is discovered like the late 70's early 80's chev pickup fuel tank explosion problem a few years ago. For cars within 10 years, getting free parts is that easy, as long as you get approved and aren't on service records.

 

Really?
That's ridiculous. Recalls are specifically for safety, TSBs are other potential problems. You'd think if anything TSBs would be able to expire but not recalls.
I guess when my truck is 9.5 years old I'll go in and make sure I didn't miss any recalls.

 

They're kinda right, in that past 10 years little to no information shows up in Ford's system about your truck...except for open recalls.

And yes, some recalls do expire based on time and/or mileage. But safety recalls are there forever, they never close until the recall is completed. If you want, post or E-mail me the VIN, I'll run it myself and see what I can find.

 

Q - Thanks for the post and nice offer. I sent you an email today - please let me know if you get it (that was my first 'email through profile' on this forum).

 

I got your e-mail. There's no open recalls on it. It's too old to see what the original build and option sheets were.

OASIS RESULT:
1FTEF14Y2JPB81184
10/09/2007
08:16:31
FCXWS447
© Copyright 2002-2007 Ford Motor Company. All rights reserved.

Errors
VIN OUTSIDE OF SUPPORTED 10 MODEL YEAR RANGE
ALL APPLICABLE FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS WILL DISPLAY

ARN MESSAGES
OUTSTANDING FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS
NO CAMPAIGN MESSAGE(S) FOUND
EXTENDED COVERAGES
NO ESP INFORMATION AVAILABLE
| On-line 1878
END OF OASIS REPORT FOR 1FTEF14Y2JPB81184