Dearborn, Mich. – Mar. 16, 2017 – Ford has recalled 8,000 trucks due to defective instrument clusters. The recall impacts F-150 models produced between October and November 2016, according to a company news release.
The Defect
Instrument clusters in the affected trucks can lose functionality in cool temperatures. For instance, the transmission gear indicator may not illuminate. Additionally, warning lights may shutdown unexpectedly. These occurrences poses serious risks to occupants, as key vehicle status indicators being unavailable can increase the likelihood of a crash. No injuries have been reported as a result of inoperable instrument clusters. A large majority of the impacted trucks are registered in the U.S., while just over 1,100 more are located in Canada and Mexico.
Timeline of Events
Ford began investigating the problem after receiving customer complaints. The car manufacturer eventually tied the issue to faulty quality control processes at fabrication facilities in Dearborn, as well as Kansas City, Missouri.
The Solution
The automaker has ordered dealers to reprogram instrument clusters in affected vehicles, free of charge. Owners can contact Ford customer service for more information.
