Laguna Hills, CA – October 18, 2018 – Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford GT vehicles due to a hydraulic fluid leak that increases the risk of fire. The potential number of units affected by this recall is 176.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, a seal failure in the rear wing valve block may result in leakage of hydraulic fluid onto the exhaust. A hydraulic fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The subject component responsible for the risk was introduced into production in late December 2016, and the condition was remedied on all vehicles produced after July 31, 2018. All prior generation Ford GT vehicles are unaffected by this recall. Ford is aware of one vehicle fire report in Germany with no injuries.
Timeline of Events
On June 19, 2018, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) reviewed a report of a vehicle fire that occurred in Germany on June 16, 2018. Subsequently, on June 25, 2018, Ford inspected the report vehicle in Germany. Ford was unable to identify the cause of the fire, and Ford’s CCRG subsequently conducted a review of field data and warranty claims, the vehicle inspection, and design and manufacturing process data, accompanies by an extensive engineering investigation, laboratory testing, and.
By the end of September 2018, the investigation found that seal specifications could be exceeded for hydraulic pressure in the rear wing valve block assembly, and on October 1, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action, issuing a recall for affected vehicles. Ford is aware of one vehicle fire report in Germany with no injuries.
The Solution
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update to the fully integrated vehicle controller, which eliminates the possibility of excessive pressure in the valve block assembly. Some vehicles will have a rear wing hydraulic check valve installed and will have the O-rings and the filter replaced, if needed. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 26, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S29.
Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-707.
