Laguna Hills, CA – May 8, 2019 – Curbtender, Inc. is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-650 and QT06 vehicles equipped with Curbtenders that include Whelen brake lights. Due to a possible wiring problem, these lights may incorrectly illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. If this happens, it can confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. As many as six vehicles may be affected.  

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on the issue, the affected Ford F-650 and QT06 vehicles featuring Curbtenders and Whelen brake lights could have a wiring defect. The brake lights may unexpectedly illuminate when the brake has not been depressed, depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle. This would give an indication that the vehicle was stopping, when it actually wasn’t. Were this to happen, the faulty brake lights could confuse other drivers, potentially leading to a crash. 

Background of Issue

This action is similar to another current recall by Excellance, Inc. involving 2018 ambulances and emergency vehicles built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-650, F-550 4×4, Chevrolet G4500, G4500 Diesel, C3500, G3500, Freightliner M2, International 4300 and Dodge 4500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights. As with this Curbtender recall, the brake lights may illuminate when the pedal hasn’t been pressed; if the brake lights improperly illuminate, it can increase the risk of a crash. Because of this issue, the affected vehicles would fail to comply with federal regulations covering lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.

The Solution

There is no notification schedule yet for the start of the recall. The remedy is still under development by the manufacturer.

Owners may contact Curbtender customer service at 1-319-266-1721. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V237000.

Laguna Hills, CA – April 17, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks. The affected vehicles have engine block heater cable splice connectors that were insufficiently inspected during a previous recall. The cables may have been damaged, which could cause a short, increasing the likelihood of overheated or melted wiring and chance of fire. As many as 131,068 vehicles may be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this problem, during the prior recall and repair process the connector pins in the block heater cable’s splice connector may have been broken or fractured. A short could then occur in the damaged cable, potentially leading to melted or overheated wiring and the subsequent risk of a fire.

Timeline of Events

The report of an under-hood fire in a 2017 F-150 pickup was first brought to Ford’s attention Feb. 28, 2019. The fire broke out when the engine block heater was plugged into a wall outlet. After inspection, greasing and reconnection, the vehicle was returned to service. Subsequent inspection later revealed that the fire had very likely been caused by the engine block heater cable, specifically a separated male pin in the splice connector.

Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group requested X-ray scans of new production and warranty-returned block heater cable connectors for signs of potential damage in the splice connector. Examination of the new cables showed that the pins were properly crimped, with no signs of damage, while the returned warranty connector scans were inconclusive.

Further review of field-returned parts in March 2019 revealed that connector pins could become partially or completely broken when the connector ends are manipulated in a lateral bending or twisting motion during connector separation. In addition, twisting or flexing the two connector ends could potentially fracture one or more of the three male terminals inside the molded connector, which would not be visible to the technician. Other factors contributing to damaged connectors could include pre-existing debris or corrosion.

After reviewing the results of the investigation, Ford’s Field Review Committee decided April 1 to approve a field action.   

The Solution

The recall will begin April 22, 2019. Ford will notify all owners to return their vehicles for service, at which time the dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 19S11. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V278000.

Laguna Hills, CA – March 20, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2019 Fusion Energi Hybrid models. The affected vehicles may not provide adequate protection against direct and indirect contact with high voltage sources while the car is being operated. This potential electrical shock could result in the increased risk of injury. As many as 2,108 vehicles could be affected by this issue.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report on this issue, the vehicles may not adequately protect against direct and indirect contact of high voltage sources during normal operation, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.

Timeline of Events

Ford first learned of the issue Dec. 18, 2018 when a concern related to Fusion electrified vehicles was brought into Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group for review. It then began a review of other electrified vehicle lines, halting shipment of affected vehicles while the investigation continued. Upon discovering that a unique plastic cover for the bus electrical center had been installed on similar vehicles sold in Europe, Ford then incorporated this cover in the production of its North American electrified vehicles.

Ford determined in Jan. 2019 that further evaluation of the Fusion Energi performance was needed, and contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to discuss requirements and assessment methods associated with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for electrical shock protection, which had gone into effect Sept. 2018.

Ford and NHTSA reviewed testing alternatives Feb. 6 and Feb. 8, 2019. Incorporating this new input, Ford conducted testing Feb. 11 and found that contact with an uncovered high voltage fuse through an access panel gap was possible using a wire test probe.

Ford’s Field Review Committee then reviewed the concern Feb. 13, 2019 and approved a field action. The automaker is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.

The Solution

Starting April 1, 2019, owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have a bus electrical center cover installed over the high voltage fuses. There will be no charge for this service. There will be no reimbursement for costs because the original warranty program provides for a free repair for this concern.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 19C05. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V099000.

Laguna Hills, CA – March 14, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles with 10-speed automatic transmissions. In some of these vehicles, the transmission shift lever can be moved from the “Park” position without the key in the starter and without depressing the brake pedal, raising concerns about theft protection as well as safety. As many as 2,992 vehicles could be affected.

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report on this issue,  the brake transmission shift interlock override plunger may be depressed, allowing the shifter to move from the “park” position without the key in the starting system and without depressing the brake pedal. As a result, if the vehicle is able to be shifted out of Park without the brake applied, it may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Timeline of Events

The issue first came to Ford’s attention Jan. 10, 2019. The report of a 2019 Ranger shifting out of park without a key in the ignition or a depressed brake pedal was reviewed by Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group, following a Jan. 8 vehicle audit at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant.

Ford’s engineering investigation revealed that the PRNDL bezel wiring on the vehicle interfered with the BTSI plunger. As the result of a subsequent inspection of 985 vehicles at the Michigan Plant, the problem was also found in a second vehicle. Over 100 more vehicles at a different Ford facility were also inspected, with no additional evidence of the issue.

Ford then began a review of the vehicle assembly process and post-assembly vehicle update procedures, uncovering three more vehicles at the Michigan Assembly Plant with this condition, which were repaired.

A dealer warranty claim regarding a shifter interlock actuator repair was reported Jan. 21, with the Ford Field Review Committee reviewing the concern and approving a field action. Ford has not yet received any reports of accident or injury as a result of this issue.

The Solution

The recall was announced February 22 when Ford began notifying owners by mail. Owners are instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to verify proper shifter interlock functionality. If a vehicle fails either inspection, dealers will inspect for wiring interference with the interlock switch plunger and relocate the wiring as needed. There will be no charge for this service.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 19C02. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V071000.