TSB SSM-51909 — Ford and Lincoln Service bulletin
SSM-51909 is a service bulletin on file with NHTSA for 5 Ford and Lincoln models, 2003–2008 model years. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
What the bulletin says. When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer…
NHTSA's own summary of the document, quoted from the public manufacturer-communications file.
Vehicles and model years SSM-51909 names
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Expedition | 2007, 2008 |
| Ford Explorer | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Ford F-250 | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Ford F-350 | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Lincoln Navigator | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
Every document filed under SSM-51909
| Document ID | Filed | Type |
|---|---|---|
| SSM 51909 | September 7, 2023 | Service bulletin |
What SSM-51909 covers
Transmission & drivetrain — the component vocabulary NHTSA files this communication under.
Questions buyers ask
What is TSB SSM-51909?
SSM-51909 is a service bulletin filed with NHTSA by Ford and Lincoln, covering 5 Ford and Lincoln models across the 2003–2008 model years. NHTSA's summary reads: When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer…
Which vehicles does SSM-51909 cover?
NHTSA's file names Ford Expedition (2007–2008); Ford Explorer (2006–2008); Ford F-250 (2003–2008); Ford F-350 (2003–2008); Lincoln Navigator (2005–2008). A bulletin number can be re-issued against more vehicles later, so check the model-year list on this page against your own.
Is TSB SSM-51909 a recall, and is the repair free?
No. SSM-51909 is repair guidance the manufacturer sent its dealers, not a safety defect finding. You pay for the work unless the vehicle is still under warranty. Recall repairs, by contrast, are always free.
How do I get the full text of SSM-51909?
Take the document ID to a dealer's service desk, or search NHTSA's manufacturer-communications records. This page carries every document ID filed under SSM-51909, its date, and NHTSA's own summary from the public file.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. This page lists only what NHTSA's manufacturer-communications file records under SSM-51909. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.