All Investigations » Investigation PE09055

  Defect Investigation of Hvac Switch Failures

Investigation of Hvac Switch Failures

Subject: Hvac switch failures
Components covered:
  • Interior/under dash wiring
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Dec. 7, 2009. It was closed on Apr. 21, 2010. Odi has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures. Each fleet operates Mini buses built on a Ford e350 or e450 cutaway chassis. The oem hvac blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet. Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash. One fleet reported a vehicle fire. No injuries were sustained. However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash. The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames. This pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 1997 Ford E-350
  • 1998 Ford E-350
  • 1999 Ford E-350
  • 2000 Ford E-350
  • 2001 Ford E-350
  • 2002 Ford E-350
  • 2003 Ford E-350
  • 2004 Ford E-350
  • 2005 Ford E-350
  • 2006 Ford E-350
  • 2007 Ford E-350
  • 2008 Ford E-350
  • 2003 Ford E-350 Bus
  • 2006 Ford E-350 Bus
  • 2007 Ford E-350 Bus
  • 1997 Ford E-450
  • 1998 Ford E-450
  • 1999 Ford E-450
  • 2000 Ford E-450
  • 2001 Ford E-450
  • 2002 Ford E-450
  • 2003 Ford E-450
  • 2004 Ford E-450
  • 2005 Ford E-450
  • 2006 Ford E-450
  • 2007 Ford E-450
  • 2008 Ford E-450

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