Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps

A total of 8,735 2009 Ford F-150 pickups are being recalled for stop lamps that may not illuminate during very mild brake pedal applications. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the culprit is a "brake stop lamp switch" that is improperly adjusted. Although the recall campaign does not mention any injuries as a result of the vehicle defect, the delayed brake lamps may increase the risk of an accident so owners are asked to bring their trucks in for repair.

As expected, Ford dealers will inspect and reinstall the brake stop lamp switch on affected F-150 models free of charge to consumers in a national campaign beginning on or before May 13, 2009. Owners with questions are encouraged to contact the Ford Motor Company Company Consumer Relationship Department at 1-866-436-7332 or online at www.ownerconnection.com. Recall campaign press release after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

Vehicle Make / Model: FORD / F-150
Model Year(s): 2009

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: APR 29, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V150000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 8735

Summary:

FORD IS RECALLING 8,735 MY 2009 F-150 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY BE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THIS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKE STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SITUATIONS OF VERY MILD BRAKE APPLICATION, THE BRAKE STOP LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Consequence:

DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOP LAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH REMOVED AND REINSTALLED WHICH WILL PROVIDE PROPER ADJUSTMENT. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MAY 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. OR THROUGH THE INTERNET AT WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.

Notes:

FORD RECALL NO. 09C07. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .