NHTSA Complaint #10576956 — 2002 FORD F-250 SD

THE VSM (VEHICLE SECURITY MODULE) FAILED. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK, KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK, AUTO HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK, RADIO DOESN'T TURN OFF WHEN KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND DOOR OPENS, NO AUDIBLE INDICATOR FOR KEY IN THE IGNITION, NO AUDIBLE INDICATOR FOR HEADLIGHTS ON WITH DOOR OPEN, DOME LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND THERE ARE MANY REPORTS ON FORUMS AROUND THE INTERNET. FORD HAS ALSO STOPPED MAKING THE ORIGINAL PART AND REPLACED ITS MANUFACTURE WITH A NEW PART WHICH SUPPOSEDLY DOES NOT EXHIBIT THE SAME RANDOM FAILURE RATE. HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING IS A MAJOR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. I DROVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS ON FOR SOME TIME (AS THE AUTO HEADLIGHTS DID NOT COME ON) AND DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL I WAS ON AN UNLIT STREET. ALL OF THE OLD VSMS SHOULD BE CHANGED TO THE NEW MODEL FREE OF CHARGE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. *TR