Ford recalls SUVs, pickup trucks with faulty instrument panels

Ford recalls SUVs, pickup trucks with faulty instrument panels  

August 13, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – August 13, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 38,695 vehicles with instrument panels that could fail to light up. This ups the risk of an accident and injury for the car occupants and other motorists.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall: 

  • 2023 Ford Escape 
  • 2023 Ford F-250 SD
  • 2023 Ford F-350 SD
  • 2023 Ford F-450 SD
  • 2023 Ford F-550 SD

Recall summary  

The dashboard instrument panel shows relevant information such as vehicle speed, fuel level and engine temperature, as well as warning or error messages. This function is made possible by joints soldered together inside the panel.    

In the affected vehicles, an improper soldered joint may prevent the instrument panel from lighting up.

Recall risks

Users will not be able to read the vehicle’s speed and other safety-related information, upping the risk of a crash. 

Other Ford recalls

Ford is currently being investigated by the U.S. government over allegations that doors on its 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles may open while driving, upping the risk of a crash. The investigation could lead to a recall of roughly 350,000 SUVs.

Separately, the manufacturer has just issued its fifth recall for Ford Transit vans because of the same issue, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the instrument panels free of charge. Ford will reimburse owners for repairs done before the recall announcement was made.

Owners will be notified between August, 14, 2023 and August 18, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 38,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford instrument panel recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls SUVs, pickup trucks with faulty instrument panels  
Ford issues fifth recall for vehicles with faulty doors

Ford issues fifth recall for vehicles with faulty doors

August 6, 2023 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI – August 6, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 112,225 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vans because their doors may open while driving, upping the risk of an injury.  

This is at least the fifth Ford recall due to this issue. Vehicles that were previously repaired might need a new remedy.

Recall summary  

Due to a supplier error, a spring inside the vans’ locking mechanism may be “susceptible to cracking and failure over time.” As a result, the doors may not close securely and could open while the vehicle is in motion.  

The component causing this recall is the core driver latch, with part numbers DT1A-V21813-B for the driver’s side and DT1A-V21812-A or DT1A-V21812-B for the passenger door. 

Recall risks

You can find out all about the associated risks in this article about a similar Volkswagen recall.

Background of the recall

The part behind the recall has been implicated in at least five other Ford recalls and several U.S. government investigations, according to the information provided by the manufacturer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is the government body in charge of regulating traffic safety. The most recent one occurred in June 2020 and replaced three of the previous recalls conducted for the same issue because of an inadequate remedy.

It is not clear if any of the previously repaired vans are once again included in the current recall, which comes on the back of multiple warranty claims.

Warning signs 

The door with a broken latch mechanism will be difficult to close and will likely rebound when the driver slams it shut. Incorrectly latched doors could also generate excessive “wind noise,” trigger a ”Door Ajar” warning or turn on the interior dome light.  

Other Ford recalls

Ford is currently subject to a separate government investigation involving faulty doors on its Ford Escape SUVs. The investigation could result in a recall of 350,000 of these vehicles, as reported.

Over 14,000 Ford Fusion hybrids were recalled in July 2023 because they could stall or catch fire.

The repair

Dealers will replace the door latches on the affected vehicles with upgraded ones free of charge. 

Owners should be notified between August 28, 2023  and September 1, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford door latch recall affects more than 100,000 vans. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord issues fifth recall for vehicles with faulty doors
US government investigates Ford SUVs with faulty front doors

US government investigates Ford SUVs with faulty front doors

July 29, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – July 29, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Ford (NYSE:F) over allegations that welds on some of their vehicles’ doors may break, preventing them from closing or opening properly. They may also open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The investigation comes on the back of multiple injuries and one report of property damage.

If it leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 350,000 vehicles, including: 

  •  2020 – 2021 Ford Escape 
  •  2020 – 2021 Ford Escape Hybrid 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 7,  2023, following multiple complaints of the front doors on said SUVs suddenly opening on their own while driving. Drivers also had a hard time opening and closing the doors and reported that some of the windows would also not open.

Based on initial findings, this is caused by the door hinge separating from the pillar to which it is welded. Consequently, the doors are not aligned correctly against the body and will not latch when closed.  

Risks

Doors that open suddenly while the car is moving may hit and injure pedestrians, cause property damage or startle the driver, leading to an accident.

In fact, leading up to the investigation, NHTSA received 118 complaints about the issue, as well as reports of 25 “minor injuries” and one of property damage. 

Warning signs

Many owners heard “loud popping noises” when opening and closing the doors before the hinges separated completely.  

Other Ford recalls

Earlier this month, Ford recalled a batch of Fusion hybrids with battery issues that may cause them to stall or even catch fire. 

In December of last year, over half a million of Escape and Bronco Sport SUVs were recalled due to a fuel leak that had a potential to cause a vehicle fire, as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Ford broken doors’ recall, potentially affecting almost 350,000 SUVs. To do a Ford recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Ford SUVs with faulty front doors
Ford recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire

Ford recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire

July 23, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – July 23, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 14,452 2019-2020 Fusion Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) because of a problem with the vehicle’s battery which may result in a stall or the engine catching fire. Both issues raise the risk of a crash and injuries for everyone involved.

The recall comes on the back of multiple fires and warranty claims.

Recall summary  

The battery energy control module (BECM) is a computer that ensures that the battery remains properly charged and functions properly. The BECM is protected by the current interrupt device (CID) whose role is “to interrupt the power supply when the charging current is too high.”

In the affected vehicles, the CID may be activated erroneously, which can result in the vehicle stalling or catching fire.

Recall risks

The risks of a stall are described in the following article, while the risks of a car catching on fire can be found in this article about a related Hyundai recall.

Car exploding in the parking lot

Leading up to the recall, the manufacturer received seven reports about the cars involved catching fire – including one that seemingly randomly “exploded in a residential parking lot.” 

Over 250 warranty claims have also been filed but luckily, no injuries or accidents have been reported.

Safety tips

Affected owners are advised to not charge the vehicle’s battery until the vehicles have been repaired.

Even though the manufacturer does not explicitly state this, owners of cars involved in similar recalls are also usually advised to park away from structures while waiting for a repair.

Warning signs

Users may notice a “Stop safely now” message on the dashboard, just before the vehicle loses power. 

Other Ford recalls

In March 2023, older model-years of Ford Fusion were part of a 1.28 million-vehicle recall over brake issues. The recall was conducted on the back of a U.S. government investigation.

Last month, Ford also recalled 16,375 2022–2023 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because of faulty rear lights, as reported.

The repair

The remedy is currently under development. Ford will advise drivers once it has been found. All repairs will be provided free of charge as it is customarily done in all recalls.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 14,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford battery recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Fusion hybrid vehicles that may stall or catch fire
Ford recalls F-150 electric pickups over faulty reverse lights

Ford recalls F-150 electric pickups over faulty reverse lights   

June 25, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI  – June 25, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling 16,375 2022–2023 F-150 Lightning battery electric vehicles (BEV) due to a problem with the rear lights, which could increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, the rear light bar mounted on the tailgate may sustain damage during assembly or due to extreme loads on the tailgate in low temperatures. This could lead to microcracks forming on the lens, allowing moisture to enter the light assembly and cause the lights to either flicker or stop working altogether.       

Recall risks

Improperly working reverse lights may fail to notify other road users of the driver’s intentions, causing them to be unaware that the vehicle is reversing. This may lead to a crash or an injury.

Other Ford recalls

In May 2023, Ford recalled 2004–2006 Ranger pickups over airbags failing to deploy in a crash. This was the second recall announced for the issue, following a previous one made in March 2023.   

Earlier this month, Ford also announced that it was recalling 29,607 vehicles including the Ford Bronco, Ford Ranger and Ford Super Duty over faulty load labels, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the faulty reverse light bar with a new unit free of charge. Ford will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.  

Owners will be notified by June 20, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 16,000 electric pickups are affected by this Ford reverse light recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls F-150 electric pickups over faulty reverse lights   
Ford recalls SUVs, pickups over faulty load labels

Ford recalls SUVs, pickups over faulty load labels

June 17, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI – June 17, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for 29,607 vehicles over inaccurate weight labels, which could lead users to overload the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall covers the following models:

  • 2022–2023 Ford Bronco
  • 2019–2023 Ford Ranger   
  • 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty

Recall summary

The tire & loading information (TREAD) label – usually located on the “driver’s side door edge” – shows users maximum loads that a vehicle can safely carry.  

The affected vehicles carry the wrong label which may result in them being overloaded.

Recall risks

Excessive loads that can compromise the vehicle’s stability and control, increasing the risk of an accident.  

Other Ford recalls

In December 2022, Ford recalled 18,808 SD pickup trucks over the risk of stalling or rolling away, as reported.

In May 2023, the manufacturer issued a second recall for 232,000 Ranger pickups with non-inflating airbags, also as reported.

Finally, just last week, over 175,000 Bronco SUVs were recalled due to unaccessible seat belt latches.

The repair

The manufacturer will mail the owners of the affected vehicles updated labels with the correct information. Owners can also go to the nearest dealership to have them put on free-of-charge.

Letters with more information will be mailed by July 12, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 29,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford TREAD label issue. To run a Ford recall check or check for more Ford recalls,  please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls SUVs, pickups over faulty load labels
Ford recalls Bronco SUVs over inaccessible seat belt latches

Ford recalls Bronco SUVs over inaccessible seat belt latches

June 11, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI – June 11, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for 175,550 2021-2023 Bronco SUVs due to an issue which could prevent the car occupants from using seat belts, leading to a higher risk of injury. The issue affects models that have the 5-door body style.   

Recall summary

The seat belt latch plate connects to the buckle, securing the seat belt and occupant in place while the vehicle is moving. The latch plate is stowed away when not in use to protect it from damage.

In the affected vehicles, users may be unable to reach the stowed latch plates on the front seat belts. This could prevent them from using seat belts when traveling aboard the vehicle.      

Recall risks

If occupants are unable to use the seat belts, this places them at risk of injury as they will be unsecured in their seats when a crash occurs.  

Other Ford recalls

In June 2022, 2021-2022 Ford Bronco SUVs were also the subject of a recall by Ford, due to a faulty child safety lock that increases the risk of injury to smaller occupants, as reported.

In November 2022, the same vehicles were recalled due to an an issue with the rearview display that continued to show the rear camera image even when Reverse gear was no longer engaged, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will attach a sliding clip stop to the driver and front passenger seat belts, making them more accessible for use by occupants. The remedy will be performed free of charge, and Ford will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by July 6, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 175,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford front seat belt issue. To run a Ford recall check or check for more Ford recalls,  please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Bronco SUVs over inaccessible seat belt latches
Ford issues third round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over faulty rearview cameras

Ford issues third round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over faulty rearview cameras

June 3, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Dearborn, MI – June 3, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F), which owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 422,201 SUVs with rearview cameras that may fail, resulting in an increased risk of an accident.

This recall comes on the back of a “minor crash” and is the third one of its kind since 2021.

The following models are affected:

  • 2020 – 2023 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 – 2023 Lincoln Navigator
  • 2020 – 2022 Lincoln Corsair

Recall summary

Owners of the affected vehicles may experience loss of video feed when either going in Reverse or when the 360-degree camera view is selected and the vehicle is being driven at a low speed. 

Recall risks

For more on risks of this recall, please see this recent article about a similar issue by Honda.  

Background of the recall

Ford originally recalled some of the affected vehicles in 2021. That recall had to be expanded in February of this year as the original remedy proved to be insufficient, as reported.

Following the second recall, the manufacturer received 250 warranty claims alleging loss of the video feed in cars that previously received repairs. The defect resulted in at least one minor accident.

Other Ford recalls

In July 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Ford involving the 2021 Ford Expedition and 2021 Lincoln Navigator, alleging that the two models presented an increased risk of fire while being driven or when parked and switched off. 

The Lincoln Navigator and Corsair were also the subjects of a Ford recall announced in January 2023 because of an issue with the seatbelt chime, as reported.

The repair

The remedy for the issue is being developed and will be available free of charge once ready. Ford will also reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was issued. 

Owners of the affected vehicles will receive letters with more information by June 30, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 420,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford and Lincoln rearview camera issue. To run a Ford recall check or check for more Ford and Lincoln recalls,  please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord issues third round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over faulty rearview cameras
Ford issues second recall for Ranger pickups with faulty airbags

Ford issues second recall for Ranger pickups with faulty airbags 

May 14, 2023 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI  – May 14, 2023 – Ford (NYSE: F) is recalling 231,942 2004 – 2006 Ford Ranger pickup trucks because their passenger airbags may fail to deploy in a crash. This reduces occupant protection, increasing the risk of injury. 

This recall is an expansion and replacement of one conducted just recently, in March 2023, over the same issue. 

Recall summary  

The affected vehicles originally had Takata airbags which, as reported, are prone to exploding when deploying. In 2017 and 2018, these airbags were swapped for new ones that did not have that defect. However, dealers botched the repair, resulting in airbags that may not inflate during a crash.

Recall risks

An airbag that fails to deploy in a crash ups the risk of an injury. 

Background of the recall

The manufacturer already recalled a range of these vehicles for the exact same issue in March, as reported. However, in April, it found one additional vehicle that was not included in the original recall that had an incorrectly installed airbag. On the back of that, Ford decided to conduct the current recall, expanding the number of vehicles to 230,000 from 98,000. The current recall supersedes the one conducted in March.

Other Ford recalls

In February Ford issued a second recall for Lincoln Navigator, Corsair and Ford Explorer SUVs due to malfunctioning rearview cameras. The first recall was done in October 2021 but proved to be insufficient, as reported.

In March, Ford recalled over a million vehicles whose brakes may become less responsive than usual due to a brake fluid leak, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will reinstall the airbags properly. The repairs are free of charge. It is not clear if vehicles that already had their airbags replaced will need a new remedy. Contact your dealer to find out if that is the case.

Owners should also receive letters with more information between May 22, 2023 and May 26, 2023.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 230,000 trucks are affected by this Ford airbag recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord issues second recall for Ranger pickups with faulty airbags 
Ford recalls Lincoln and Fusion cars with brake issues

Ford recalls Lincoln and Fusion cars with brake issues

March 26, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Dearborn, MI – March 26, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F), which owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 1.28 million vehicles over a problem with the front brake hose. This augments the risk of a crash and injury. 

The following vehicles are affected:

  • 2013 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2014 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2015 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2016 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2017 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2018 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2013 Ford  Fusion
  • 2014 Ford Fusion
  • 2015 Ford Fusion
  • 2016 Ford Fusion
  • 2017 Ford Fusion
  • 2018 Ford Fusion

There was a related recall in 2020 and this recall is likely the result of an ongoing U.S government investigation.

Recall summary

The brake hose is made of rubber and delivers the brake fluid that ensures that the vehicle will slow down or stop safely when the driver steps on the brake pedal. 

In the affected vehicles, the front brake hose may rupture as a result of certain driving conditions like frequent full suspension and steering movement. This could lead to a brake fluid leak that worsens over time.  

Recall risks

A brake fluid leak reduces the responsiveness of the vehicle’s brakes and forces the driver to increase braking effort. This could lead to a higher risk of a crash. 

Warning signs

Drivers may notice that they need to step on the brake pedal harder than usual. The brake fluid warning icon will also light up on the dashboard.

Background of the recall

Ford first noticed the defect in Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles which shared the same brake hose material as the vehicles in question in 2018, eventually leading to a recall of these models in August 2020.

Afterwards, Ford received complaints alleging brake hose failure on vehicles that were not included in that recall. This eventually led to the present announcement.

Coincidentally, the U.S. auto-safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has been investigating Ford to see if over 1.7 million of Lincoln and MKZ vehicles needed to be recalled on the back of 50 complaints alleging brake hose rupture.  This recall is likely the result of that investigation. However, for reasons that are unclear, it is not mentioned on the agency’s investigation page, as it is customary in such cases.

Other Ford recalls

In January 2023, Ford recalled 2020–2023 101,001 Lincoln Navigator and Corsair SUVs over a problem with the seat belt warning system, as reported.

In February 2023, Ford also issued a recall for 382,759 vehicles including the 2020–2023 Ford Expedition as well as the Lincoln Corsair Aviator over the rear view camera’s failure to display an image when the transmission is shifted to Reverse. This was the second recall involving the issue.  

There are no other recent Ford Fusion recalls.

The repair

Dealers will replace the front brake hoses with new ones made from stronger material free of charge. Anyone who has paid for their own repairs before the recall was announced will be reimbursed. 

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by April 28, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 1.2 million vehicles are affected by this Ford brake hose recall. To see if your vehicle is among them or to check for more Lincoln  recalls, run a Ford or Lincoln recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Lincoln and Fusion cars with brake issues
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