Ford recalls Mustang, Fusion cars over faulty brake lights, rollaway risk

Ford recalls Mustang, Fusion cars over faulty brake lights, rollaway risk

January 23, 2022 Rebecca Rand ,

Dearborn, MI – January 23, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 199,085 vehicles with a brake issue that increases the risk of a rollaway and also means that the brake lights may be “continuously” on, increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall applies only to vehicles sold or registered in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Hawaii, and includes the following models :

  • 2015 Ford Mustang
  • 2014 – 2015 Ford Fusion 
  • 2014 – 2015 Lincoln MKZ

Recall summary  

The recall stems from an issue with the brake pedal stop bumper, which helps properly activate the brake lights when the brake pedal is pressed. Due to higher temperatures, humidity and salinity in the states where the vehicles are being recalled, the rubber that the bumper is made out of disintegrates “after several years in service,” according to Ford.

As a result, these vehicles can be started without “depressing the brake,” increasing the risk of a rollaway. Additionally the missing bumper may also result in the brake lights being constantly on.

The component in question is the brake pedal assembly with multiple part numbers, found here.

Recall risks

The rollaway can up the risk of a back-over accident that can lead to property damage and injuries for everyone involved. The illuminated brake lights can confuse other drivers, also augmenting the risk of a crash.

Other Ford recalls

Earlier this month, there was a Ford Mustang recall for improperly attached seat belts, as reported. The recall also included Mach-E vehicles. Rollaway risks were also a concern for 4,548 2020 Ford Transit vans, also recalled earlier this month.

The repair

Dealers will replace the recalled cars’ brake pedal and clutch pedal bumpers for free. Owners will be notified about the recall by mail starting on March 3, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 200,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. To run a Ford recall check on  your car, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Mustang, Fusion cars over faulty brake lights, rollaway risk
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 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
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 recalls Lincoln Aviators over faulty backup camera display

Ford recalls Lincoln Aviators over faulty backup camera display

April 9, 2021 Rebecca Rand ,

Dearborn, MI – April 9, 2021 – Ford  (NYSE:F) – which owns the Lincoln brand – has recalled 34,952 luxury SUVs  whose backup camera displays may stop working. The recall includes the 2020 Lincoln Aviator and the 2021 Lincoln Aviator.

The affected part is called the “Image Processing Module – B” and has multiple part numbers, including  LC5T-19H423-AF and LC5T-19H423-AG.

Recall summary  

The image processing module helps process everything the backup camera is “seeing” behind the car, displaying it on the screen up front. Due to a software issue in the recalled Aviators, the module might fail to transmit the video feed to the car’s display screen.

As a result, the driver may see a “blank” or “distorted” image.

Risks

A rearview camera that fails to display what is behind the car reduces the driver’s rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

All cars built after mid-2018 are required to have functioning backup  cameras.  Read more about backup camera safety in this article about malfunctioning cameras in Nissan cars.

Other Ford backup camera recalls

In September, Ford recalled over 600,000 vehicles for a similar issue, as reported. The recall included Lincoln Nautilus crossovers and Lincoln Corsair compact SUVs.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will update the image processing module’s software for free. Ford will send owners notification letters with more information about when and how to get the repair starting May 19.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 35,000 vehicles are included in this Lincoln recall. To perform a Ford recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Lincoln Aviators over faulty backup camera display
Ford and Mazda begin 2.6 million-vehicle-strong Takata airbag recall

Ford and Mazda begin 2.6 million-vehicle-strong Takata airbag recall

March 23, 2021 Rebecca Rand , , ,

Dearborn, MI and Washington, D.C. – March 23, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) and Mazda (OTCMKTS:MZDAY) have begun recalls of 2,608,515 vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags whose inflators could explode, injuring or killing drivers and passengers. This latest Takata airbag recall includes:

  • 2007 – 2011 Ford Ranger pickups
  • 2007 – 2009 Mazda B Series pickups
  • 2006 – 2012 Ford Fusion sedans
  • 2006 – 2012 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ sedans
  • 2006 – 2011 Mercury Milan sedans
  • 2007 – 2010 Ford Edge SUVs
  • 2007 – 2010 Lincoln MKX luxury SUVs

The vast majority of the recalled vehicles are Fords; the Mazda models in this recall were built by Ford due to a past relationship between the two companies.

Recall summary  

This Takata airbag recall is caused by faulty airbag inflators that can degrade over time and rupture when the airbags are deployed, sending shrapnel flying into vehicle occupants. Worldwide, these explosions have killed 27 people and have injured over 400.

The recall follows on the heels of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rejecting the automakers’ petition not to recall these vehicles.

The inflators explode because of repeated exposure to high humidity and “high temperatures” and despite the addition of a desiccant, or a drying agent, that is meant to minimize the risk.

Risks

The risks involved in this recall are similar to those in a recent Volkswagen Takata airbag recall, which we cover in this previous article.

Other Takata airbag recalls

Over 66 million Takata airbags have been recalled in recent years in what amounts to the largest recall in the automotive history up-to-date. Just this year alone, General Motors recalled 6 million vehicles equipped with these potentially lethal airbags. 

Some of the cars involved in earlier rounds of recalls should NOT be driven at all. See the full list here.

The repair

Ford, Lincoln and Mazda dealers will replace the defective airbags with one that does not contain ammonium nitrate. The dealer will not charge for this service.

It is not clear when the parts will be available.

Ford and Lincoln owners should receive recall notifications with more instructions as early as April 1; Mazda owners can expect theirs to arrive by May 9. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2.6 million vehicles are included in these Ford and Mazda recalls. To do a Mazda or Ford recall check, enter your VIN into MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord and Mazda begin 2.6 million-vehicle-strong Takata airbag recall
Ford recalls Explorers and Aviators over fractured driveshafts

Ford recalls Explorers and Aviators over fractured driveshafts

December 1, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Pleasanton, CA – December 1, 2020 – Ford (NYSE: F) is recalling 10,905 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs whose driveshafts – one of the most important components of a car – may fracture, presenting several risks including vehicle rollaway, fuel leaks and fire. All of the recalled vehicles have 10-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and 2.0L or 3.3L engines. 

Recall summary

In approximately 18 of the 10,905 recalled vehicles, the rear driveshaft may not have been welded properly and could snap. The driveshaft transfers power to the rear wheels. Its breakage could cause the vehicle to lose power while in motion or roll away when parked. The snapped shaft could also pierce the fuel tank and cause a leak and/or fire.

Ford knows the serial numbers of the faulty driveshafts, but they must inspect over 10,000 vehicles to find them. 

Other recalls

The 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator have had close to a dozen of  combined recalls since August 2019, including one for malfunctioning rearview camera and another one for defective fuel lines. 

Safety risks

The broken driveshaft can cause a whole host of problems. A snapped driveshaft will cut off drive power to the rear wheels, increasing the risk of a crash because of unexpected movement. The vehicle could also roll away if parked on a hill. This is what killed actor Anton Yelchin, whose Jeep Cherokee (also recalled) rolled down his driveway and crushed him against a pillar.  Furthermore, if the driveshaft snaps, it could hit the fuel tank and spring a leak, which in turn could lead to a fire. It’s a frightening list of potential scenarios that should encourage owners to get their vehicles looked at.

Repair

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft and check its serial number. If it matches one on Ford’s list of affected serial numbers, they will replace the driveshaft. Ford plans to notify owners by mail during the week of November 30 as to when the repair will be available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 10,000 cars are included in this Ford recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to check your car for open recalls.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Explorers and Aviators over fractured driveshafts
Ford recalls vehicles with distorted rearview camera image

Ford recalls vehicles with distorted rearview camera image

November 4, 2020 Ken Boyd ,

Pleasanton, CA – September 23 2020 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has recalled 620,246 vehicles with rearview cameras that may display a “distorted or blank” image.  The recall includes:

  • 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

Recall summary  

Due to a poor “electrical connection,”  the backup cameras can show a distorted image to the driver. The culprit is the printed circuit board within the vehicle that connects electrical components.

As a result,  the vehicles do not meet the federal requirements that require them to display a “field of view” to the driver before  backing up.

Risks 

A driver who cannot see the rearview camera display may run into a person or an object behind them. In fact, back-up cameras became mandatory after two-year old Cameron Gulbransen was tragically killed by a backing up SUV that could not “see” him. 

Prior to the passage of the related act in 2007, around 284 people were killed and injured around 12,000 in back-up crashes annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the rearview camera.  The recall  will  begin on November 7 and the replacement – once available – is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 620,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s vehicle identification number (VIN) look up tool.

Ken BoydFord recalls vehicles with distorted rearview camera image
Ford conducts Edge and Lincoln MKX recall for leaking brake fluid

Ford conducts Edge and Lincoln MKX recall for leaking brake fluid

October 21, 2020 Rebecca Rand ,

Pleasanton, CA – April 14, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has remedied issues with 249,359 2015-2018 Ford Edge Crossovers and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX Luxury SUVs that were dealing with brake fluid leaks. Additionally, 249,359 of these Ford models were categorized as unreachable and only 2 were removed from the recall. Four groups of these 2015-2018 Ford Edge Crossovers models with a fluid leak in the Front Brake Hoses issues were remedied in 2021 and one group was remedied in 2022.

Pleasanton, CA – August 11, 2020 – Ford (NYSE:F) has announced a recall of 488,594 SUVs whose front brake hoses may leak brake fluid. The recall includes:

  • 2015-2018 Ford Edge crossovers
  • 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX luxury SUVs

Recall summary

The rubber brake hose in these recalled vehicles may not stand up to stress over time. Hard steering and bumpy roads could stress the front brake jounce hose and cause it to split, resulting in a leak. Brake fluid leaks can make it harder for a driver to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Safety tips

Drivers of Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles should keep an eye on the brake fluid warning indicator light, which will light up if the brakes lose too much fluid. 

Losing brake pressure can be frightening. When you press on your brakes, you may feel the pedal go down to the floor with little or no resistance. If this happens, you should:

  • Turn on your hazard lights.
  • Try to slow down either by shifting to a lower gear (if you have a manual transmission) or taking your foot off the gas (if you have an automatic transmission).
  • Pump your brakes.
  • If pumping your brakes does not stop the car, slowly engage your parking brake. (This is also called the emergency brake.)
  • Look for a place where you can safely pull off the road. You might be able to steer into an open area or turn your vehicle onto an uphill road.
  • As a last resort, if the vehicle does not stop, turn off the ignition. Do not turn it all the way to Lock to avoid locking up the steering wheel.

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will replace the front brake hoses in all recalled vehicles. As of yet, there are not enough parts for Ford and Lincoln dealers to repair the problems described in this recall, but the new hoses should be ready sometime in early 2021. Owners will be notified by mail when they’re available, at which time you can make an appointment with a dealer who will perform the service free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 488,000 SUVs are included in this Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge recall. To see if your car is one use the MotorSafety.org vehicle identification number (VIN) look up tool.

Rebecca RandFord conducts Edge and Lincoln MKX recall for leaking brake fluid
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