Ford recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues

Ford recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues

October 16, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – October 16, 2021 – In an expansion of a previous recall, Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 126,033 more SUVs due to a suspension issue that could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

The recall includes 2011-2013 Ford Explorer SUVs and concerns the “left rear knuckle” and the “right rear knuckle” (#DB5Z-5B758-B and #DB5Z-5B759-B).

Recall summary  

The rear toe links hold the car’s back wheels at the correct angle so that the vehicle actually goes in the direction that the driver is steering. The recall centers around a particular joint in the suspension that could become corroded and “seize up”, causing the toe links to snap.

The joint is vulnerable to corrosion from salt, which is used to de-ice roads in cold areas. The recall includes vehicles that were sold in, or at any point, registered in, the following “salt-belt” states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

If you own a used ca​​r, check this page to make sure you will be alerted if your car is part of this recall.

Recall risks

If the knuckle joint seizes up and breaks the toe link, it will allow the wheel to wiggle around and misdirect the car.  You can read more about the risks in this article about a related 2021 Ford toe link recall. 

While these older cars have not yet caused any accidents or injuries, problems relating to the 2020 recall caused at least 13 accidents and six injuries.  

Background of the recall

On July 8, 2021, Ford recalled over 644,000 2013-2017 Explorers in the United States based on 48 reported toe link fractures, but the company was concerned that pre-2013 cars could pose a problem, too.

These vehicles were built before Ford started routinely installing the faulty knuckle joints in 2013 cars. However, Ford believes around 2,800 older vehicles may have been subesquently repaired using the faulty knuckle joints, which is why the older Explorers are being recalled now. Ford must check over 126,000 cars to identify these 2,800 vehicles and inspect them for damage.

Other toe link recalls

Ford has recalled cars over toe link fractures at least three times in the past five years when prior recall campaigns failed to fix the problem. 

General Motors also recently recalled cars over toe link fractures. The problem is caused by a separate issue, but it also affects cars registered or sold in the United States’ “salt belt.” 

The repair

Ford dealers will inspect recalled cars to see if they contain a faulty knuckle joint. If they find one, they will check its tightness and replace it if necessary. The inspection and replacement will be performed for free. Notification letters with more details will be sent to owners starting November 1. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles are part of this 2011 – 2013 Ford Explorer recall. Check for Ford recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues
Ford recalls vehicles with faulty rearview cameras

Ford recalls vehicles with faulty rearview cameras

October 10, 2021 Bojan Popic ,

Dearborn, MI – October 10, 2021 – Ford (NYSE: F) – that owns the Lincoln brand – is recalling 228,297 vehicles whose infotainment system may fail to display the image from the rearview camera. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. Affected vehicles include: 

  • 2020 Ford Explorer
  • 2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 Lincoln Aviator 
  • 2021 Lincoln Aviator 
  • 2020 Lincoln Corsair 
  • 2021 Lincoln Corsair 

Recall summary  

Cars that are part of this Ford recall have a SYNC infotainment system that shows a 360° image around the vehicle.  The rearview camera may occasionally fail to display the image, limiting drivers’ visibility while backing up the vehicle. 

Recall risks

Limited visibility while backing up the vehicle increases the risk of a crash, which can lead to property damage or injury to people behind the car, especially small children.  The risk is even greater when the driver relies solely on the rearview camera when going in reverse. Read more about the history of rearview cameras in our recent article about a similar Stellantis recall.

Other Ford recalls

A wide range of Ford and Lincoln models is having various problems with rearview cameras and other software glitches for some time now. This even caused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation into how the manufacturer handled a recent recall related to the matter.

There were several other Ford Explorer recalls recently as well. In September, for example, over 640,000 2013 – 2017 Ford Explorers were recalled for the fourth time since 2016 due to possible steering loss caused by faulty suspension.

There is also a recent Lincoln Aviator recall, which deals with a wiring issue that could cause electrical fire.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln authorized dealers will fix the problem by updating the software that controls the image processing module (IPMB). Notifications about the repair were sent to vehicle owners from October 7, 2021. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This recall includes more than 220,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles. To check for this and other recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls vehicles with faulty rearview cameras
Ford tells owners not to drive F-150 trucks with faulty seat belts

Ford tells owners not to drive F-150 trucks with faulty seat belts

October 2, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Dearborn, MI – October 2,  2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) recalled F-150 trucks that have been equipped with incorrectly routed seat belts, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash.  The recall includes 16,430 ​​2021 F-150 Super Cab pickup trucks.

Ford is advising drivers to perform a “preliminary self-inspection” on the vehicles and to NOT drive the car or use the front passenger seat if the respective seat belts are found to be improperly routed. Instructions on how to perform the inspection were set to be provided in the mail this week. 

The affected component is the “Front Outboard Seat Belt Assembly” with part numbers ML3B-18612D64-ADW and ML3B-18612D65-ADW.

Recall summary

Affected vehicles are equipped with front seat belts that have not been routed properly.  The faulty seat belt assemblies have only made their way onto the Super Cab body style – F-150 models with the Regular Cab and Crew Cab body styles have not been affected. As a result, models like the 2021 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab are not a part of this recall.

Recall risks

The improperly routed seat belt may not do an adequate job at restraining the occupant in the event of an accident. This can result in serious injury or even death. 

Other Ford F-series recalls

Last month, Ford advised F-series owners not to drive their cars over a concern that the vehicle’s wheels may fall off. A quick Ford recall check on our website will also bring up results on an investigation conducted by an auto-safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over how the company handled a recall of over 600,000 vehicles to address issues with the rearview camera.

The repair

Owners should have received instructions on how to perform a self-assessment of their F-150’s seat belts in mail. The self-assessment will help them decide on whether their driver or passenger seat belt is faulty. If the driver seat belt is faulty, drivers should have the car towed for inspection where it will be replaced. For more information, please see the recall notice. All repairs are free.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Ford truck recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalFord tells owners not to drive F-150 trucks with faulty seat belts
Ford recalls Bronco Sport, Escape and Corsair cars that may stall

Ford recalls Bronco Sport, Escape and Corsair cars that may stall

September 25, 2021 Vishal Venugopal ,

Dearborn, MI – September 25, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for 13,334 cars from its 2021 and 2022 line-up to fix an engine stalling issue. Stalling on the road can result in a crash, increasing the risk of an injury for both the occupants of the car in question and nearby drivers.

The affected models include the following SUVs and light vehicles:

  • 2021 – 2022 Ford Bronco Sport
  • 2021 Ford Escape
  • 2021 Lincoln Corsair

The component in question is the “fuel delivery module” with part numbers LX61-9H307-TC/BC and LX61-9H307-BC/YB.

Recall summary

The affected vehicles are fitted with a faulty fuel delivery module, which is the part that pumps fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. Owing to a manufacturing error, the wall of the fuel tube inside the module may be too thin which can cause the module to leak inside the fuel tank. This can result in a drop in fuel pressure to the engine, causing it to stall. It can also prevent the engine from starting in the first place. 

Recall risks

If the engine loses power while driving, it can increase the risk of another vehicle crashing into the stalled car, resulting in an injury. 

Other Ford recalls

Ford Explorer recalls include four recalls over the past five years for multiple model-years because of faulty suspension which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Loss of control – albeit because of a different issue – is behind another recent Ford recall that, in addition to Ford Explorers,  includes Taurus sedans and Edge SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was recalled in August for improper deployment of side airbags and in December of last year for a  potential loss of power.

The repair

Lincoln and Ford dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. 

Owners will be notified between October 4 and October 8, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To see if your vehicle is a part of this Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair, and Ford Bronco recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalFord recalls Bronco Sport, Escape and Corsair cars that may stall
Ford recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss

Ford recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss

September 18, 2021 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI  – September 18, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 644,055 cars in 23 states because of faulty suspension. This issue may reduce steering control and result in a crash and an injury. This is an expansion of three previous recalls conducted by the manufacturer and also affects some cars that have previously been repaired.

Vehicles that are part of this recall include:

  • 2013 Ford Explorer
  • 2014 Ford Explorer
  • 2015 Ford Explorer
  • 2016 Ford Explorer
  • 2017 Ford Explorer

Recall summary  

One of the components of suspension in the recalled vehicles setup is a toe link, which holds the back wheel at the correct angle. The link can fracture due to multi-year exposure to road salt which these states regularly use on the roads to de-ice them.

Faulty toe links are part of the “rear suspension knuckle assembly” with part numbers DB5Z-5B759-B for the left and DB5Z-5B758-B for the right. 

Risks

A broken rear suspension toe link will affect how the vehicle behaves on the road and may result in a “loss of steering control.” This increases the risk of a crash and injury to its occupants, other motorists and nearby pedestrians. 

Other Ford Explorer recalls

This recall is a continuation of an ongoing series of rear suspension recalls that affect several models in Ford’s lineup. 

Other similar 2013 Ford Explorer recalls include one from 2017, which addresses a wheel hub bearing issue that may cause the wheel to fall off. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the ball joints on both the right and left toe links. If worn or have seized, the dealer will replace the affected toe link with an updated version. Owners were set to receive a notification as early as August 23, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford Explorer rear toe link recall includes more than 600,000 vehicles. To check if yours is part of this recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss
Ford recalls vehicles for stalling during driving

Ford recalls vehicles for stalling during driving

September 12, 2021 Mikaela Bolker

Dearborn, MI – September 12, 2021 – Ford (NYSE: F) has announced a recall for 27,604 Ford Super Duty F-350 pickups due to the risk of the vehicles stalling while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. 

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2020 Ford F-350 SD
  • 2021 Ford F-350 SD

Recall summary 

The driveshaft is what transmits power from a car’s engine to the vehicle’s wheels and keeps the vehicle moving and axles are shafts that deliver power to the wheels and rotate with them. Due to a supplier error, the drivershafts in the recalled vehicles may separate from the rear axles, resulting in the vehicle stalling or “unintended movement” while it is stopped.

Risks

A driveshaft that disconnects can lead to a loss of power while driving,  increasing the risk that the car may be hit from behind. Unintended movement may result in the car hitting people or property behind it. Both of these increase the risk of an injury to the car occupants and people around them.

Warning signs

The driver may experience vibration and/or shaking while driving at highway speeds or shuddering upon acceleration.

Other Ford recalls

This is not the first time that Ford F-350 diesel recalls have occurred.  In March 2021, there was a Ford F-350 recall due to incorrect information on labels in the vehicles, as reported. In addition, there have been two other large Ford recalls due to the concern of vehicle rollaway.  In June 2021, 4,436 2021 Ford F-150 pickup trucks were recalled due to faulty driveshafts, During the same month, 192,080 Ford Transit Connect vans were recalled due to the risk of a rollaway. 

Repair

The repair is a free repair or part replacement at any Ford or Lincoln Dealership. Owners were set to be notified starting August 16, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Approximately 27,604 vehicles are part of this Ford recall. To check if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerFord recalls vehicles for stalling during driving
Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

Ford recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts

September 5, 2021 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – September 5, 2021  – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 42,493 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems, which may increase the risk of injury during a crash. This recall include the following vans: 

  • 2021 Ford Transit 
  • 2022 Ford Transit
  • 2021 Ford Transit Connect 

The affected component is the “front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor”, with part numbers LK41-1461294-A/B/D/E. This is the second recall caused by faulty seat belts provided by the Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.

Recall summary  

As reported, seat belt retractors are used to “lock up” the seat belt to protect the occupant from getting thrown from the seat in the event of a crash. There are two types of retractors – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR). 

While the ELR only reacts when the system detects a crash, the ALR locks up right away after the seat belt is buckled. For that reason, it is often used to secure a child seat.

In recalled cars, the ALR in the front passenger seat deactivates “after the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor,” causing the child to be inadequately restrained. The defect is caused by “out of tolerance” components provided by the supplier.

Warning signs 

Drivers may notice that an “audible clicking noise” that occurs when the ALR function is active but stops before the seat belt is “fully retracted.” This is the same warning sign provided by Daimler for its recent Mercedes-Benz recall for the same issue.

Risks

A seat belt with a faulty automatic locking reactor will not secure the child seat firmly in its place. This increases the risk of injury during a crash or sudden stops.   

Other Ford Transit recalls

In June, Ford recalled close to 200,000 vans – including the 2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicle – over the risk of a rollaway. The 2020 and 2019 Transit Connect vehicles were recalled in November of last year due to the risk of engine fire, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly free of charge, if necessary.  Notifications will be sent to owners beginning September 13, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford recall includes more than 40,000 vehicles. To check for Ford recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls more than 40,000 vans due to faulty seat belts
US government scrutinizes recent Ford rearview camera recall

US government scrutinizes recent Ford rearview camera recall

August 27, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Washington, DC – August 27, 2021 – The arm of the U.S. government that regulates vehicle safety is conducting an investigation to determine whether Ford (NYSE:F) timely and adequately handled a recent recall related to faulty rearview cameras.

The investigation is examining all models included in the original Ford recall of 620,246 cars, which launched in September of last year:

  • Ford F series trucks, including the 2020 Ford F-150, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD trucks
  • 2020 Ford Explorer SUVs
  • 2020 Ford Mustang vehicles
  • 2020 Ford Transit vans
  • 2020 Ford Expedition SUVs
  • 2020 Ford Escape  SUVs
  • 2020 Ford Ranger trucks
  • 2020 Ford Edge SUVs
  • 2020 Lincoln Nautilus crossovers
  • 2020 Lincoln Corsair compact SUVs

Summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on August 3 to evaluate the “timeliness and scope” of Ford’s recall process, as well as whether the company complied with all the reporting requirements mandated by law. 

Prior to the investigation and the original September recall, NHTSA received 14 complaints alleging rearview camera malfunction on Escape, Lincoln Corsair and F-150 vehicles. It is not clear whether these vehicles were included in the original recall or what specifically prompted the regulator to open the investigation.

Long wait for repairs

Owners, however, have been complaining about long wait-times for repairs, and several drivers allege that their Fords have identical backup camera problems, but their vehicle was not included in the recall. Both sets of complaints point to potential issues with Ford’s ability to offer repairs to all the right cars in a timely manner.

The parts for some of the vehicles included in the original recall were on the back order as recently as this month, despite the fact that Ford announced that the repair was available last November.

Vehicle ‘full of gremlins’

At least one owner alleged that the failure of the backup camera system also caused “the forward-collision warning [turn] on by itself, ​​causing the vehicle” to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. Another driver succinctly summarized the issues he or she was having by stating that the vehicle was “full of gremlins” and needed to be “heavily watched.”

Next steps

NHTSA will investigate whether the recall needs to be expanded or adjusted. The agency did not disclose how long this process is expected to take. If NHTSA decides the recall took too long or failed to include all the cars in need of repairs, it may issue fines against Ford.

Original recall

The original recall concerned the back-up camera display, which would sometimes go blank and fail to show drivers what was behind the car, as reported. As of July 23, 2021, close to 289,000 recalled vehicles were repaired, according to information provided to NHTSA by Ford.

Other Ford recalls

In April 2020, the company recalled Ford Rangers because the gear position display may be inaccurate, which could cause a crash. The company recalled Ford Mustangs five months later over an issue with faulty brake pedals.

In 2019 and 2020, there were six 2020 F-150 Ford recalls –  apart from the one that is being investigated – including one “reduced seat back strength” and faulty daytime lights, according to NHTSA records.

Is your vehicle part of this recall or a future recall?

Over 620,000 vehicles are implicated in NHTSA’s investigation into Ford. Check back for any updates using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandUS government scrutinizes recent Ford rearview camera recall
Ford recalls Lincoln Aviators for risk of electrical fire

Ford recalls Lincoln Aviators for risk of electrical fire

August 26, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Dearborn, MI – August 26, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 33,298 luxury SUVs with a wiring issue that could cause an electrical fire. The recall includes 2020 – 2021 Lincoln Aviator SUVs with 3.0L gasoline engines and concerns a faulty wiring harness.

Recall summary  

The recalled Lincoln Aviators use something called a wiring harness to secure the many wires in the car so that they do not rub against one another or other parts of the car or get bent out of shape. This makes sure the insulating rubber does not get worn down, exposing live wires and damaging various electronics in the SUV. 

Due to a design error, one of the wiring harnesses in the recalled cars might not be secured properly, potentially putting the wires in contact with the compressor of the car air conditioning (A/C) system, which is one of the most important parts of the A/C.

This can result in the damage to the A/C and also cause a short-circuit that can grow into a car fire.

Lincoln and Ford recalls

This is not the first batch of Ford or Lincoln cars recently affected by faulty wiring harnesses. About two years ago, the automaker recalled over 10,000 2020 Ford Explorers for a near-identical issue with the wiring harness and the air conditioner pulley. Lincoln MKX and Nautilus cars were recalled a year ago for a wiring harness defect affecting the airbags.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has been recalled ten times in total, including this recall. Prior to the wiring harness issue, the car has been recalled for the loss of the rearview camera image and due to the risk of rollaway, fuel leaks and fire, as reported.

Risks

Read  more about the risks of vehicle fires, and what to do if one occurs, in this article about a fire-related BMW recall.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will install a tie strap to secure the faulty wiring harness out the way. Dealers will also check the wiring harness and air conditioner compressor belt for damage and repair them, if needed. All these services are provided free of charge. Owners should have been notified by mail between July 30 and August 6.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 33,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Lincoln recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Lincoln Aviators for risk of electrical fire
Ford tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off

Ford tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off

August 2, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – August 2, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 17,616 pickup trucks with potentially loose wheel hub extenders that may cause the wheel to fall off of the car. This defect is serious enough where Ford is telling owners NOT TO DRIVE the car, even to the dealership.

It includes the following vehicles:

  • 2021 Ford F350 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F450 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F550 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F600 SD pickups

Recall summary 

The recall concerns the front wheel hub extender, which extends the size of the wheel hub on pickups with wide front body axles and dual rear wheels. The extenders – that are typically used for aesthetic purposes or to provide more stability while driving – may not be screwed in all the way.

Background of the recall

The Michigan factory where the trucks’ axles were assembled has an “automated torque station” that checks to make sure everything is screwed in properly. Ford believes the recalled trucks must have bypassed this checkpoint and estimates that 80% of the recalled trucks have loose hub extenders.

Risks

This defect puts the wheel hub extenders and the wheels at risk of detaching from the truck, greatly increasing the risk of a crash. Ford has received two reports of wheels falling off trucks as a result of this flaw. Neither resulted in an accident or injuries.

Detached wheels not only put the driver at risk of losing control, but the tires themselves become a dangerous, fast-moving road hazard that could cause other cars to crash.

Warning signs

According to the manufacturer, drivers might, while driving, experience vibration and noise, as the nuts loosen.

The repair

The risks posed by this defect are high enough that Ford is telling owners NOT to drive their recalled car — not even to the dealership. Dealers have been told to send someone out to fix the car, and if this is not possible, to tow the car to the dealership. The dealer will check that the hub extenders are screwed in properly. If the hub extenders are loose, the dealer will tighten them. This inspection and repair, including necessary towing services, will be offered free of charge.

Owner notifications and instructions

Ford mailed notifications to owners in mid-June. The notifications include instructions for car-savvy owners on how to perform the inspection/repair themselves.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 17,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. Check your truck for Ford recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off
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