Ford driveshaft issues prompt F Series recall

Ford driveshaft issues prompt F Series recall

January 1, 2022 Rebecca Rand

Warren, MI – January 1, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 184,698 F-series trucks whose driveshafts – one of the most important components of a car – may fracture. This increases the risk of stall, loss of vehicle control or a rollaway.

The recall includes the following pickups:

  • 2021 Ford F-150 
  • 2022 Ford F-150 

Recall summary  

The recall centers around the trucks’ underbody insulation, as well as their driveshafts. The insulation helps dampen road noise and protect the undercarriage from moisture, scratches and salt to extend the useful life of the vehicle. Driveshafts are critical components that transfer power to the wheels, enabling the vehicle to move.

Due to a supplier error, the insulation may become loose and sag, rubbing against the driveshaft, eventually causing it to fracture.

The underbody insulator is the component in question with part numbers ML3B-1611205-AC, ML3B-1611205-BA, ML3B-1611204-AD and ML3B-1611204-BB.

Recall risks

A fractured driveshaft presents a number of concerns—the car may stall or the driver may lose control if the driveshaft snaps and drags on the ground.  The vehicle may roll away if the parking brake is not applied. All of these scenarios increase the risk of injury or a crash.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice loose underbody insulation (which looks a bit like a foil-covered mat) and hear a rattling, clicking or clunking noise. Looking at the driveshaft, they may be able to see “marking or scoring” where the insulation has been touching it.

Other Ford recalls

This is at least the second F-150 recall in the past six months due to driveshaft issues. In June, Ford recalled close to 5,000 2021 F-150 trucks due to driveshaft separation that could also cause the vehicle to roll away or stall, as reported.

Separately, in October, the manufacturer told owners of 2021 F-150 Super Cab pickup trucks not to drive their vehicles pending an inspection because of potentially faulty seat belts that may fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft for damage and “properly attach” the insulators. These services are free. Notifications with more instructions will be sent to owners by mail between January 31 and February 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 180,000 trucks are included in this Ford F-150 recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to perform a Ford recall check.

Rebecca RandFord driveshaft issues prompt F Series recall

Ford advises owners not to drive Ranger trucks over faulty seat belts

November 10, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Dearborn, MI – November 10, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for Ranger trucks that have been equipped with an incorrectly routed front passenger seat belt, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash. The recall includes 47,683 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab pickup trucks.

Even though the recall concerns passenger seat belts, the manufacturer advises drivers to inspect both the passenger and the driver seat belt and to NOT use the front seat or drive the car or if the respective seat belts are found to be defective.

Instructions on how to perform the inspection should be mailed next week.

The affected component is the “RH Front Outboard Seatbelt Assembly” with part number KB3B-21612D64-AL.

Recall summary

The affected vehicles are equipped with a front passenger seat belt that has not been appropriately routed. The faulty seat belt assemblies have only made their way onto the Super Cab body style Ranger models, and the Crew Cab body style has not been affected. 

Background of the recall

This is the second recall that Ford is doing for this issue this fall. Last month, the manufacturer recalled 2021 F-150 Super Cab pickup trucks. These trucks should also not be driven if the seat belts on them are not properly routed, as reported.

Recall risks

The improperly routed seat belt may not do an adequate job at restraining the occupant in the event of an accident. This can result in severe injury or even death.

Other Ford recalls

Last month, Ford recalled nearly 40,000 units of the 2020 Ford Ranger Super Cab and 2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab, whose backseat headrests are incompatible with some children’s car seats.

The last 2019 Ford Ranger recall was over a year ago.

The repair

Ford will advise owners on how to perform a self-assessment of their Ranger’s seat belts. The self-assessment will help them decide on whether either seat belt is faulty. If the driver seat belt is defective or the driver is unsure of the results or does not want to perform the assessment, the car should be towed for inspection.

If the passenger seat belts is found to be misrouted, the seat should not be occupied but the car can still be driven. Regardless of the results of the assessment, owners are advised to take their car to a dealership for a secondary inspection. Any repairs that need to be performed will be done for free.

Affected owners will be notified between November 15 and November 19, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Ford recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalFord advises owners not to drive Ranger trucks over faulty seat belts
Ford recalls Ranger trucks with backrests not compatible with child seats

Ford recalls Ranger trucks with backrests not compatible with child seats

October 27, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – October 27, 2021 – Ford  (NYSE:F) has recalled 37,625 cars whose backseat headrests are incompatible with some children’s car seats, making the seats difficult to install and improperly positioned. This increases the risk of an injury to the child in the seat if there is an accident.

The recall includes 2020 – 2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab trucks.

Recall summary  

The trucks in question have a headrest positioned in a way that makes proper installation of taller children’s car seats difficult. The headrests in the backseats of this Ford truck recall are not removable, and may tilt some childrens’ car seats out of proper position.

Federal regulations require cars to be compatible with a wide range of different types and sizes of car seats. However, this headrest design was not checked against taller car seats.

Recall risks

Childrens’ car seats save lives, but they need to be securely attached and positioned on the seat in order to work properly. Learn more about child car seat safety in this article about a recent Nissan recall,

Warning signs

Owners may notice that it is difficult to install a child car seat in the back of the Ranger.

The repair

As Ford investigated this issue, the company also discovered the anchor points used to secure children’s car seats in the car were crooked. The remedy for this recall will address both issues: Ford dealers will check the car seat anchors and replace the headrests with an updated model. Ford will send owners recall notification letters with further instructions by November 19.

Recent similar recalls

Nissan, Stellantis and Jaguar recently recalled cars over a separate issue with the seat belts that could affect the safety of some child car seats. You can read more about the Stellantis recall here.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 37,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Ranger child car seat recall. To do a Ford recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Ranger trucks with backrests not compatible with child seats
Detaching windshields prompt 2021 Ford Mustang recall

Detaching windshields prompt 2021 Ford Mustang recall

October 24, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – October 24, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 17,692 Ford Mustang 2021 Mach-E SUVs whose windshields may detach, placing vehicle occupants at risk of accident or injury.

Recall summary

The recalled vehicles’ windshields may not be glued properly in place, violating federal safety standards. Ford did not disclose the cause of the problem in recall documents, but is conducting “on-going evaluations to confirm root cause” for this defect.

The company says they are unaware of any accidents or injuries resulting from these problems.

Warning signs

Ford Mach-E owners may notice the sound of wind whistling through the sides of the front windshield or water leaking around the edges.

Recall risks

Windshields that are not securely glued in place are at risk of cracking or even falling out of their frames. Occupants of the car could be injured by flying glass or other debris and may result in a crash. Additionally, unsecured windshields increase the chance of injury in an accident.

Other Ford recalls

In March, Ford recalled nearly 80,000 F-series trucks in February over loose windshields that were also poorly glued to the car. Unlike this recall, the cause was a known issue with primers and paints. 

Earlier this month, over 13,000 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E were also recalled for the same issue—inadequate urethane bonding—affecting their panoramic glass roof panels.

There is potentially some overlap between the two recalls as the total number of 2021 Mach Es sold in the U.S. as of the end of September was plus the stock at the dealerships or in transit was around 23,855. However, the sum of two recalls is around 31,326 meaning that over 7,000 cars are likely subject to both recalls.

Repair

Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield for free, using proper gluing procedures to ensure the windshield is secure. Owners should receive a notification letter with further instructions between October 27 and November 3.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 17,000 Mustangs are included in this Ford recall. To do a Ford recall check use MotorSafety.org’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandDetaching windshields prompt 2021 Ford Mustang recall
Ford recalls Mustangs with fly-away roof panels

Ford recalls Mustangs with fly-away roof panels

October 16, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – October 16, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 13,544 vehicles with a glass roof panel that may fly off the vehicle while driving, potentially injuring other motorists.

The recall affects 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E SUVs.

Recall summary  

Recalled Mustang Mach Es may have a panoramic glass roof panel that is improperly secured to the roof of the car. Internal inspections by Ford revealed that some of the panel’s urethane glue was “inadequate” to hold the glass to the roof, increasing the hazard of glass flying off the vehicle.

The company does not know as of yet why or how this happened; however, with factory records, they were able to determine which Mustang Mach-Es require inspection and repair..

Recall risks

Much like the recent Mercedes-Benz sunroof recall, the flyaway glass panels pose a threat of striking other drivers and becoming a potentially dangerous obstacle in the road. Read more about the risks posed by road debris in this article about Land Rover’s fly-away spoiler recall.

Warning signs

If the Ford Mustang Mach-E has an unsecured glass roof panel, drivers may hear a “wind noise” while driving or notice that water is leaking through the roof. 

The repair

Ford and Lincoln dealers will fix the faulty roofs for free, cleaning the window frame and the glass, and applying additional glue to hold it in place. Ford will send owners notification letters in the mail detailing how and where to get repairs starting October 27.

Recent fly-away roof recalls

Unfortunately, unsecured roof panels are not uncommon. Tesla also recently recalled cars with fly-away roof panels due a problem with the adhesive used to attach the panels.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 13,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Mustang recall. Check for Ford recalls with MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Mustangs with fly-away roof panels
Ford recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues

Ford recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues

October 16, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – October 16, 2021 – In an expansion of a previous recall, Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 126,033 more SUVs due to a suspension issue that could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

The recall includes 2011-2013 Ford Explorer SUVs and concerns the “left rear knuckle” and the “right rear knuckle” (#DB5Z-5B758-B and #DB5Z-5B759-B).

Recall summary  

The rear toe links hold the car’s back wheels at the correct angle so that the vehicle actually goes in the direction that the driver is steering. The recall centers around a particular joint in the suspension that could become corroded and “seize up”, causing the toe links to snap.

The joint is vulnerable to corrosion from salt, which is used to de-ice roads in cold areas. The recall includes vehicles that were sold in, or at any point, registered in, the following “salt-belt” states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

If you own a used ca​​r, check this page to make sure you will be alerted if your car is part of this recall.

Recall risks

If the knuckle joint seizes up and breaks the toe link, it will allow the wheel to wiggle around and misdirect the car.  You can read more about the risks in this article about a related 2021 Ford toe link recall. 

While these older cars have not yet caused any accidents or injuries, problems relating to the 2020 recall caused at least 13 accidents and six injuries.  

Background of the recall

On July 8, 2021, Ford recalled over 644,000 2013-2017 Explorers in the United States based on 48 reported toe link fractures, but the company was concerned that pre-2013 cars could pose a problem, too.

These vehicles were built before Ford started routinely installing the faulty knuckle joints in 2013 cars. However, Ford believes around 2,800 older vehicles may have been subesquently repaired using the faulty knuckle joints, which is why the older Explorers are being recalled now. Ford must check over 126,000 cars to identify these 2,800 vehicles and inspect them for damage.

Other toe link recalls

Ford has recalled cars over toe link fractures at least three times in the past five years when prior recall campaigns failed to fix the problem. 

General Motors also recently recalled cars over toe link fractures. The problem is caused by a separate issue, but it also affects cars registered or sold in the United States’ “salt belt.” 

The repair

Ford dealers will inspect recalled cars to see if they contain a faulty knuckle joint. If they find one, they will check its tightness and replace it if necessary. The inspection and replacement will be performed for free. Notification letters with more details will be sent to owners starting November 1. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles are part of this 2011 – 2013 Ford Explorer recall. Check for Ford recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls another round of Explorers for toe link suspension issues
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 tells owners not to drive F-150 trucks with faulty seat belts

Ford tells owners not to drive F-150 trucks with faulty seat belts

October 2, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Dearborn, MI – October 2,  2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) recalled F-150 trucks that have been equipped with incorrectly routed seat belts, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash.  The recall includes 16,430 ​​2021 F-150 Super Cab pickup trucks.

Ford is advising drivers to perform a “preliminary self-inspection” on the vehicles and to NOT drive the car or use the front passenger seat if the respective seat belts are found to be improperly routed. Instructions on how to perform the inspection were set to be provided in the mail this week. 

The affected component is the “Front Outboard Seat Belt Assembly” with part numbers ML3B-18612D64-ADW and ML3B-18612D65-ADW.

Recall summary

Affected vehicles are equipped with front seat belts that have not been routed properly.  The faulty seat belt assemblies have only made their way onto the Super Cab body style – F-150 models with the Regular Cab and Crew Cab body styles have not been affected. As a result, models like the 2021 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab are not a part of this recall.

Recall risks

The improperly routed seat belt may not do an adequate job at restraining the occupant in the event of an accident. This can result in serious injury or even death. 

Other Ford F-series recalls

Last month, Ford advised F-series owners not to drive their cars over a concern that the vehicle’s wheels may fall off. A quick Ford recall check on our website will also bring up results on an investigation conducted by an auto-safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over how the company handled a recall of over 600,000 vehicles to address issues with the rearview camera.

The repair

Owners should have received instructions on how to perform a self-assessment of their F-150’s seat belts in mail. The self-assessment will help them decide on whether their driver or passenger seat belt is faulty. If the driver seat belt is faulty, drivers should have the car towed for inspection where it will be replaced. For more information, please see the recall notice. All repairs are free.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this Ford truck recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalFord tells owners not to drive F-150 trucks with faulty seat belts
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
Ford recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss

Ford recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss

September 18, 2021 Bojan Popic

Dearborn, MI  – September 18, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 644,055 cars in 23 states because of faulty suspension. This issue may reduce steering control and result in a crash and an injury. This is an expansion of three previous recalls conducted by the manufacturer and also affects some cars that have previously been repaired.

Vehicles that are part of this recall include:

  • 2013 Ford Explorer
  • 2014 Ford Explorer
  • 2015 Ford Explorer
  • 2016 Ford Explorer
  • 2017 Ford Explorer

Recall summary  

One of the components of suspension in the recalled vehicles setup is a toe link, which holds the back wheel at the correct angle. The link can fracture due to multi-year exposure to road salt which these states regularly use on the roads to de-ice them.

Faulty toe links are part of the “rear suspension knuckle assembly” with part numbers DB5Z-5B759-B for the left and DB5Z-5B758-B for the right. 

Risks

A broken rear suspension toe link will affect how the vehicle behaves on the road and may result in a “loss of steering control.” This increases the risk of a crash and injury to its occupants, other motorists and nearby pedestrians. 

Other Ford Explorer recalls

This recall is a continuation of an ongoing series of rear suspension recalls that affect several models in Ford’s lineup. 

Other similar 2013 Ford Explorer recalls include one from 2017, which addresses a wheel hub bearing issue that may cause the wheel to fall off. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the ball joints on both the right and left toe links. If worn or have seized, the dealer will replace the affected toe link with an updated version. Owners were set to receive a notification as early as August 23, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Ford Explorer rear toe link recall includes more than 600,000 vehicles. To check if yours is part of this recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicFord recalls Explorers for fourth time due to steering loss
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