NHTSA Complaint #10093088 — 1998 FORD F-150

SEE ODI 10091339 -IN EXAMINING THE FAILED PART THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF CORROSION CAUSING A WEAKNESS OF THE CABLE. RATHER, THE RETAINING LUG AT THE END OF THE CABLE APPEARS TO HAVE SHEARED AS A RESULT OF ROUTINE DRIVING CONDITIONS OVER TIME. IN PURCHASING A REPLACEMENT PART FROM FORD, I FOUND THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE LIFT MECHANISM TO ADD A TENSION RELIEF SPRING TO PREVENT THE LIKELY HOOD OF A CABLE FAILURE SUCH AS I EXPERIENCED. OLD PART: F75Z*1A131*BC NEW PART 2L3Z*1A131*AA THIS INDICATES THEIR RECOGNITION THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL PART. AS THESE VEHICLES AGE THERE WILL BE INCREASED CHANCE OF FUTURE FAILURE FROM CABLE STRAIN INCURRED DURING ROUTINE USE. *JB