David J. Johnson
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division

Ford Motor Company
P. O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121

April 9, 2018
TO:

All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT:

NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles
Transmission Bell Housing Bolt Torque

PROGRAM TERMS
This program will be in effect through April 30, 2019.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Vehicle

Model Year

Assembly Plant

Build Dates

2018

Louisville

March 22 through March 23, 2018

Escape
MKC
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.
REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM
In some of the affected vehicles, depending on engine configuration, one or two transmission bell
housing bolts may have been torqued below specification. If any transmission bell housing bolts are
torqued below specification, other bolts may loosen over time and the customer may experience an
under-hood clunk noise, a vibration while driving, fluid leaks from the bottom of the bell housing and/or
the flex plate may crack.
SERVICE ACTION
Before delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this program, dealers are to torque the
specified bolt(s).
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Owner letters will not be mailed for this program.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I:
Attachment II:
Attachment III:

Administrative Information
Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Technical Information

 Copyright 2018 Ford Motor Company

QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
For questions and assistance, contact the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) via the SSSC Web
Contact Site. The SSSC Web Contact Site can be accessed through the Professional Technician
Society (PTS) website using the SSSC link listed at the bottom of the OASIS VIN report screen or
listed under the SSSC tab.
Sincerely,

David J. Johnson

 Copyright 2018 Ford Motor Company

ATTACHMENT I
Page 1 of 1
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles
Transmission Bell Housing Bolt Torque
OASIS ACTIVATION
OASIS will be activated on April 9, 2018.
FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION
FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on April 9, 2018.
SOLD VEHICLES
Repair affected vehicles brought to your dealership for service. Complete the program and inform the
customer.
STOCK VEHICLES
Correct all affected units in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.
TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES
Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are not eligible for this service action.
OWNER REFUNDS
Refunds are not approved for this program.
RENTAL VEHICLES
Rental vehicles are not approved for this program.
ADDITIONAL REPAIR (LABOR TIME AND/OR PARTS)
Additional repairs identified as necessary to complete the FSA are covered under new vehicle
bumper-to-bumper warranty, no SSSC approval is required.
CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
• Enter claims using Dealer Management System (DMS) or One Warranty Solution (OWS)
online.
o When entering claims, select claim type 31: Field Service Action. The FSA number 18U12
is the sub code.
o Labor Operation – 18U12B
o For additional claims preparation and submission information, refer to the Recall and
Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) Repairs in the OWS User Guide.
• Additional labor and/or parts must be claimed as related damage on a separate repair line
from the FSA. IMPORTANT: Click the radio button on the Related Damage Indicator.

 Copyright 2018 Ford Motor Company

ATTACHMENT II
Page 1 of 1
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD
Update Prior to Sale 18U12
Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles
Transmission Bell Housing Bolt Torque
LABOR ALLOWANCES
Description
Torque Transmission Bell Housing Bolt(s)

Labor Operation

Labor Time

18U12B

0.3 Hours

 Copyright 2018 Ford Motor Company

ATTACHMENT III
PAGE 1 OF 2
UPDATE PRIOR TO SALE 18U12

CERTAIN 2018 ESCAPE AND MKC VEHICLES – TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING
BOLT TORQUE

OVERVIEW
In some of the affected vehicles, depending on engine configuration, one or two transmission bell housing
bolts may have been torqued below specification. If any transmission bell housing bolts are torqued below
specification, other bolts may loosen over time and the customer may experience an under-hood clunk
noise, a vibration while driving, fluid leaks from bottom of bell housing and/or flex plate may crack. Before
delivering any new in-stock vehicles involved in this program, dealers are to torque the specified bolt(s).

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Recommended Tool List For Replacement:
General Tools
1/4" Drive Power Tool
1/4" Drive 7mm Socket
1/4" Drive T30 Torx Bit
3/8" Drive 13mm Shallow Socket
3/8" Drive Torque Wrench

All Vehicles
1. Remove the retainers and the engine front underbody shield. See Figure 1.

x7

x2

N0138704

FIGURE 1

CPR © 2018 FORD MOTOR COMPANY
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48121
4/2018

ATTACHMENT III
PAGE 2 OF 2
UPDATE PRIOR TO SALE 18U12

2. Torque the transmission housing bolt(s) shown in the following illustrations to 35 Ib.ft (48 Nm).
See Figures 2 and 3.

Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost Engine

TORQUE BOLTS
1826A

FIGURE 2
Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L Ecoboost Or 2.5L Duratec Engine

STUD FOR
MISSING NUT
TORQUE BOLT

FIGURE 3
All Vehicles
1. Install the engine front underbody shield and retainers. See Figure 1.

STUD FOR
1826B NUT
MISSING
STUD FOR
MISSING NUT
PLACE COPY HERE
PLACE COPY HERE
PLACE COPY HERE

CPR © 2018 FORD MOTOR COMPANY
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48121
4/2018

STUD FOR
MISSING NUT