CITADEL END-USER COMMUNICATION
November 1, 2017
SUBJECT:

Availability of Redesigned Mounting System for Code 3® Citadel
LED Lighting Systems Installed on Ford Police Interceptor Utilities
(PIU’s)

PRODUCT:

Code 3® Citadel LED Lighting Series Product Numbers:
CITEXI-BA-CB
CITEXI-RABA-CB
CITEXI-RA-CB
CITEXI-RB-CB
CITADEL-EXI
CITADEL-EXI-CB
CITADEL-PIU

CITEXI-AA
CITEXI-BB
CITEXI-RB
CITEXI-RR
CIT-EXI-UPGKIT
CELS

Dear Code 3® Citadel LED Lighting Series End-User:
We want to communicate an important update regarding our Citadel LED Lighting Series.
You may be aware that there have been reports by law enforcement professionals of
exhaust containing carbon monoxide (CO) entering the cabin of some Ford Police
Interceptor Utility (PIU) vehicles. While our investigation indicates that the Code 3®
Citadel LED Lighting Series does not contribute to this issue if properly installed, we will
soon make available a new mounting system for use with the Citadel LED Lighting Series.
The new mounting kit is designed to mitigate the risk of elevated CO in the PIU cabin due
to improper installation of the Citadel LED Lighting Series
Customer satisfaction is of critical importance to Code 3®, therefore we will be making
available to our Citadel LED Lighting Series installers the new mounting system free of
charge so that you may have your Citadel LED light kits re-installed as described in more
detail below. In addition, all Citadel LED light kits we supply going forward will include
the new mounting system.
What is the Reason for the Redesign?
Ford has indicated it believes that certain aftermarket upfit modifications located at the
rear of the vehicle (such as around the tail light or rear lift gate) may be contributing to
elevated CO levels in the cabin if certain seals are not properly repaired or re-sealed
during the installation. Ford described its concern in Ford Customer Satisfaction Program
17B25 as follows: “When an up-fitter installs customized emergency lighting, radios and
other equipment, they may damage vehicle sealing systems and/or drill holes into the
rear of the vehicle. This creates an opening where exhaust could enter the cabin if the
sealing system is not properly repaired and holes are not properly sealed.” As part of its

campaign, Ford dealers have been instructed to inspect the rear of PIU vehicles and
repair damage to body seals, grommets and liftgate spoiler sealing systems, seal the
liftgate interior trim panel, install new muffler tips, seal certain body plugs in the floor pan,
reprogram the Climate Control (HVAC) module, and check the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) for diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 and/or P0430 following the technical
instructions.
Due to its concerns regarding damaged seals during the upfitter installation process, Ford
has also recommended the removal of aftermarket lighting and/or equipment mounted to
the spoiler. Because of Ford’s recommendation and our commitment to customer
satisfaction, Code 3® developed the new mounting system for the Citadel LED Lighting
Series so that it does not require removal of the spoiler and, therefore, addresses Ford’s
concern regarding damaged seals.
What Steps Should You Take?
Code 3® recommends that you promptly take the following steps:
•

Code 3® recommends that you promptly arrange for a Ford dealer to perform
Customer Satisfaction Campaign 17B25 to your covered PIU vehicle(s).

•

Before any such repair work is done, please provide the enclosed Wire
Disconnection Instructions to your Ford dealer so that the existing electric cable
can be re-used when your Citadel LED Lighting System is later re-installed using
the new mounting system.

•

Among other things, Ford dealers will remove end-user Citadel LED Lighting
Systems, repair damage to body seals, grommets and liftgate spoiler sealing
systems, and seal the liftgate interior trim panel. Ford will return the Citadel LED
Lighting System to you upon completion, after which you should bring your PIU
vehicle(s) and Citadel LED light kit(s) to your installer for re-installation using the
new mounting system as soon as possible but not later than September 30, 2018.
Your installer should carefully follow the installation instructions accompanying the
new kits.

•

The product numbers for the new mounting system kit are:

If the wire powering your Citadel looks like If the wire powering your Citadel looks like
this (indicating an independent flashing this (indicating a controller version – CEL
version):
or CB):

use product number CITRTF-IF

use product number CITRTF-CB

Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 314-996-2800
*

*

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We appreciate your cooperation and prompt attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,

John Ducharme
President, Americas
Code 3, Inc.

Enclosure:
Citadel - Wire Disconnection Instructions