Recall 13V290 affects 10 2012 Ford 550 Command Center vehicles for awning motor screws that can shear. Dometic replaces affected motors free.
Ford 550 is recalling 10 2012 Command Center vehicles because screws in the Dometic power awning motor assembly can shear after a design change. If those screws fail, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, raising the risk of personal injury or a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The power awning on the 2012 Ford 550 Command Center is an electrically driven shade mounted to the vehicle. Its motor assembly turns the awning mechanism so the awning extends and retracts, and the mounting screws keep that motor assembly locked in place while the awning moves.
On affected vehicles, a design change in the Dometic power awning motor assembly left the screws vulnerable to shearing. When a screw shears, it no longer holds the motor assembly as designed. That means the awning hardware loses part of the support it needs during normal operation or while stowed.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner would not be expected to hear, see, or feel a clear symptom before the motor assembly screws break.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Ford 550 Command Center | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 10 |
Not every 2012 Ford 550 Command Center is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the motor assembly screws shear, the awning can unfurl unexpectedly while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. Treat any loose, moving, or partly unfurled awning as a reason to stop using the vehicle and arrange service. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford 550 dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Ford 550 Command Center is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the awning motor repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to move for service; do not drive it yourself.
- Contact Farber at 1-800-331-3188 to arrange the free awning motor replacement that prevents the power awning from unfurling unexpectedly.
- Reference recall number 13V290 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Farber mailed one.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the awning motor repair is performed. Farber's notice says owners will be contacted, and Dometic staff will replace the affected power awning motors with motors of a different design. Because the remedy status is not listed as available in this record, treat the dealer repair as free once available and confirm the service path before moving the vehicle. Ask the dealer or Farber how the vehicle should be transported for repair.
Timeline
| July 2, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 22, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V290?
Recall 13V290 covers 10 2012 Ford 550 Command Center vehicles with Dometic power awning motor assembly screws that can shear. If the screws fail, the awning can unfurl while parked or moving, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
What should I do if my 2012 Ford 550 Command Center is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V290. If it is, keep the vehicle off the road until the awning motor replacement is complete. Call 1-800-331-3188 and reference recall 13V290 when arranging the repair.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair to be performed at no cost. For recall 13V290, the affected Dometic awning motors are replaced with motors of a different design free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the power awning can unfurl unexpectedly while the vehicle is parked or in transit. An awning that opens without warning can strike a person near the vehicle or create a road hazard, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
When did this recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on July 22, 2013. If your 2012 Ford 550 Command Center still has the original affected awning motor assembly, check your VIN and arrange the free replacement before using the vehicle on the road.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V290000 |
|---|---|
| Ford 550 customer service | 1-800-331-3188 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V290 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V290000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →