Ford R-series safety action

Questions and answers

Technical information provided by Ford New Zealand has allowed Land Transport New Zealand to limit the scope of a safety action announced on 20 March that ordered Ford R and D Series vehicles to be removed from the road. 

Which vehicles may return to the road?
D-series vehicles, the vast majority of which are trucks, are no longer affected by the safety action, and may return to the road. This means at least 2000 vehicles may return to normal operations. There is no need for operators of these vehicles to contact Land Transport NZ or Ford NZ.

R-series vehicles with single drag link assemblies are not affected by the safety action and may also return to the road, subject to an independent heavy vehicle mechanic confirming that the vehicle is fitted with a single drag link.

Which vehicles may not return to the road?
R-series vehicles with two (front and rear) drag links and manufactured between 1968 and 1979 remain affected by the safety action and must not be operated on the road until they pass inspection by a heavy vehicle mechanic. These vehicles include 133 buses, 73 motor homes and 11 trucks.

What should I do if I have a D-series vehicle?
If you have a D-series vehicle, you are no longer affected by the safety action. You may resume operating your vehicle on the road.

What should I do if I have an R-series vehicle?
If you have any R-series vehicle, you must stop operating the vehicle immediately and get it inspected by a heavy vehicle mechanic as soon as possible.

'Record of Vehicle Inspection' forms and check sheets sent to operators by Land Transport NZ in relation to the first safety action must be used by heavy vehicle mechanics to confirm that the vehicles are fitted with single drag link. The 'Record of Inspection' form must be completed and signed by the heavy vehicle mechanic. The original copy of this form must be returned to Land Transport NZ before 10 April 2006.

If the mechanic confirms that you have an R-series vehicle with a single drag link, you may resume operating the vehicle on the road.

If the mechanic confirms that you have an R-series vehicle with a double drag link, you must not operate the vehicle on the road, until the drag link has been replaced by the approved version of the drag link. If the mechanic confirms that your vehicle is already fitted with the approved version of the drag link, you may resume operating the vehicle on the road.

If my vehicle has recently passed its Certificate of Fitness inspection, do I still have to take to a heavy vehicle mechanic to be checked?
Yes, any vehicle of this type will need to be inspected by an independent workshop, as a routine Certificate of Fitness inspection will not pick up this fault.

Why did Land Transport NZ order these vehicles off the road?
A Land Transport NZ inspection of a similar bus involved in a crash on the Invercargill Bluff highway on 7 March determined that the crash was caused by the 'steering drag link' breaking, resulting in a complete loss of steering. In the interest of safety for all road users, Land Transport NZ ordered all Ford R and D series vehicles off the road. Since receiving further technical information from Ford NZ about the type of vehicles affected, Land Transport NZ has limited the scope of the safety action.

What exactly is a steering drag link?
The steering drag link is the rod connecting the lever of the steering gear to the steering arm in a vehicle. 

Who will pay for my inspection, or reimburse me for the time my vehicle was off the road?
Land Transport NZ ordered a safety action based on information available at the time, in the primary interest of the safety of all road users. Land Transport NZ cannot reimburse vehicle owners for any costs incurred by owners because of the safety action.

What will happen if I ignore this advice and continue driving?
Should you ignore this advice and continue to operate an affected vehicle(s), you may be in breach of section 6(1) Land Transport Act 1998 which states that a person may not operate an unsafe motor vehicle on a road.

If your 'Record of Vehicle Inspection' is not returned by 10 April, your Certificate of Fitness will be revoked immediately. You will not be able to obtain a new Certificate of Fitness for the vehicle until new components are fitted.

Contravention of section 6(1) is an offence under s. 34(1)(a) and carries a maximum penalty on conviction of a fine not exceeding $2,000.

How will this be enforced?
The Police have been advised of all vehicles affected and if they are found driving on the road after owners have received notification, the driver could be charged with operating an unsafe motor vehicle (as above).

Where can I get more information?
For more information about this issue, visit www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicle-safety/alerts. Alternatively, you can ring the Land Transport NZ Helpdesk on 0800 699 000.

Page created: 31 March 2006