The Focus Electric EPA label certifies that the car has a range of 76 miles on a single charge. Does a door chime matter?
Ford is recalling 23,000 keyless C-Max and Focus EV models because of an older Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard that requires the door chime to operate when the vehicle is running and the door is open. On the Ford models affected with the so-called ‘Intelligent Access Push Button Start System’ there is no audible chime when the driver’s door is opened. These vehicles fail to conform to FMVSS 114, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention.” A stop sale is in place at Ford dealerships. Thus comes another auto recall conducted over electronic programming in automobiles, an increasing area of safety defects and customer dissatisfaction. The recall appears to be prompted by Ford conversations with NHTSA over a proposed rule change on keyless ignition systems, which was written to cover key-operated vehicles. Other automakers, according to NHTSA, currently sound an alarm regardless of whether they use a physical or electronic key in the vehicle. In a letter sent to NHTSA four weeks ago, that was just made publicly available because of the Republican Tea Party terrorist actions that shut down the Federal government, Ford claimed the applicability FMVSS 114 to keyless ignition systems is “ambiguous.” Nevertheless, Ford said it would “harmonize” with the agency on its interpretation and will conduct a notification and remedy campaign to add a “key in ignition” door chime. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge, as is required by U.S. safety regulations. The recall is expected to begin at the end of October 2013. Owners may contact the Ford at 1-866-436-7332 about recall number is 13C07. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.
