Dearborn, Mich. – July 13, 2018 – Ford Motor Company has recalled more than 1,400 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
The campaign affects 2018 Ford F-650 and F-750 Super Duty pickup trucks produced between Jan. 26, 2018, and March 13, 2018. The American automaker suspects all of the vehicles involved in the action contain the defective components.
The Defect
The affected models feature primary and secondary brake hose assemblies with ineffective corrosion coating. These fixtures, which are located near the master cylinder and hydraulic control unit, are susceptible to crippling oxidization as a result. In the event that this does occur, brake fluid leakage could occur, eventually resulting in drastically reduced braking functionality.
This defect increases the likelihood of an accident and therefore poses a serious safety hazard to occupants. However, Ford has yet to receive field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.
Timeline of Events
Members of the Ford Critical Concern Review Group received a report in March 2018 that referenced a vendor communication that seemed to indicate some vehicles had been equipped with defective brake hose assemblies.
The Mexican supplier Martinrea International had explained that numerous brake hoses had been shipped from its facility in Saltillo, Mexico to a Ford assembly site Avon Lake, Ohio without proper corrosion coating. The vendor had also informed Ford engineers that the hoses would lose 50 percent of their metal thickness over the course of 4.5 years.
The CCRG reviewed this information, along with internal test results from the Ford engineering group, and requested additional information. Throughout April and May 2018, engineers from both Ford and Martinrea International performed additional assessments and looked over production and shipment logs to determine the breadth of the problem.
The CCRG reconvened June 4, 2018, and decided that a voluntary safety recall was necessary.
Ford notified dealers of the impending action June 12, 2018.
The Solution
The automaker has directed dealers to replace the brake hose assemblies in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. Ford will reach out to dealers via first-class mail between July 9, 2018, and July 13, 2018.
Owners in need of additional assistance can speak with Ford customer service personnel by calling (866) 436-7332. Callers should use the internal recall reference code 18S19. Owners may also connect with the NHTSA directly using the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
