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 Explorers for third time due to faulty suspension

Ford recalls Explorers for third time due to faulty suspension

November 24, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – November 24, 2020 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 318,381 SUVs because a part of the suspension  – which connects the vehicle to the wheels – may fracture, seriously impairing a driver’s ability to steer. The recall includes 2013-2017 Ford Explorer SUVs and concerns the rear suspension toe links (#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. 

For a reason that is not entirely clear, the toe links have been snapping, causing the driver to lose control of the cars’ back wheels and get injured. Ford’s investigation up to date has pointed to salt – that is predominantly used in the U.S. Northeast and Midwest – as the culprit of the problem. Salt can corrode vehicles’ underbellies, where the toe links are located.

As such, the recall encompasses 22 states and six Canadian provinces where salt is used to de-ice roads in the winter. 

Previous recalls

This is the third time the manufacturer recalls Explorers for the same issue that was previously addressed in two separate recalls in 2016 and 2019.  The smaller 2016 recall was deemed necessary because of the toe links “improper weld,” while the 2019 one – that involved 1.2 million vehicles – was allegedly caused by rough roads.

Toe link problems have also forced Ford to recall nearly 230,000 Flex, Taurus, and Lincoln MKT vehicles this past February. Ford Focus cars have been subject to several complaints – one as recently as February – for its tires wearing out early.

Risks

A broken rear toe link will sever a driver’s control over one of their back wheels, allowing it to point in any direction. Under these conditions, the vehicle may start fishtailing (weaving left and right like a fish), which can send the car careening into a ditch or oncoming traffic. This is extremely dangerous. In fact, problems relating to this recall have caused at least 13 accidents and six injuries.

‘Sliding on ice sideways’

After one Explorer owner’s toe links snapped last February, they described the experience in a complaint to the NHTSA. “It’s like sliding on ice sideways. Very scary. Never want to go through this ever again.”  The driver nearly avoided a head-on collision.

Other drivers were similarly shaken by the sudden loss of control. “My daughter and I should have both been killed” said one NHTSA complaint this past August. “…several weeks since the (near) accident and we are still shaken up by it.” Another driver described how their seven-year-old grandson was now afraid to get in the car alone with them after their Explorer’s toe link broke and the car fishtailed across the median, slamming into a reflector post, just barely missing oncoming traffic. 

The repair

Ford will inspect where the toe link attaches to the wheel, and replace it if necessary, for free. The recall is expected to begin November 30, 2020. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles are part of this Ford recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord recalls Explorers for third time due to faulty suspension
Spat of Hand Injuries Sparks Massive Ford Explorer Recall

Spat of Hand Injuries Sparks Massive Ford Explorer Recall

September 16, 2019 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – Sept. 16, 2019 – Ford Motor Company is pulling hundreds of thousands of 2017 Explorer sport utility vehicles from the marketplace due to a seating flaw that likely occurred during manufacturing. When passengers reach for the power front seat lever, sharp edges along the seat frame may cause injury. Dozens of people have claimed as much to authorities.

The 2017 Ford Explorer seat recall will officially begin Oct. 14. Owners who receive a notification are urged to take their vehicle to an area dealership. The SUV will be inspected and a replacement seat will be installed free of charge if it’s necessary.

The Defect

According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford is recalling 311,228 2017 Ford Explorer SUVs from the supply chain over concerns that some of the passengers seats may have sharp components jutting out of the framing. If someone were to brush the problematic portions of the seat, or reach for something in proximity to what’s protruding, they may be hurt. Thus far, there have been 31 reports of individuals whose hands were scratched or scarred as a result of this flaw.

Timeline of Events

This 2017 Ford Explorer seat recall was precipitated by three reports submitted to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group. The automaker learned at least 30 people had been injured when reaching between the console and power seat. A month later, Ford determined that these injuries were likely due to the sharp edge of the metal seat frame, which apparently escaped the attention of quality control. The automaker determined a recall was the best path forward and contacted NHTSA this summer to make the action official.

The Solution

Ford intends to begin notifying owners in mid-October. Those that receive a mailer should take their vehicle to a dealership. A new seat will replace the problematic at no cost.

For more information on the 2017 Ford Explorer seat recall or other recent Ford recall actions, visit MotorSafety.org.

Sean ReyesSpat of Hand Injuries Sparks Massive Ford Explorer Recall
Ford recalls 1.2 million F-150s for faulty automatic transmission

Ford recalls 1.2 million F-150s for faulty automatic transmission

February 11, 2019 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – February 11, 2019 – Ford  (NYSE:F) has recalled 1,263,051 F-150 trucks that may suddenly downshift to first gear, possibly causing the driver to lose control of the truck, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2011-2013 Ford F-150 trucks with six-speed automatic transmission.

Recall summary  

The recall concerns issues with Ford’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) which is the car’s brain, responsible for over 100 elements, including changing gears in an automatic transmission. The module needs information from an Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor to know how fast the car is going, and thus which gear to use. The recalled vehicles may intermittently lose the signal between this sensor and the PCM, potentially resulting in the car unexpectedly shifting into first gear.  This may cause it to suddenly slow down or the rear tires to slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Other F-150 recalls and causes 

Previously, Ford recalled several F-150 models with a particular automatic transmission, including the 2011 and 2012 F-150, for the same issue. This action expands that recall to include all 2011-2013 F-150s with six-speed automatic transmission.

“Various causal factors” may be to blame for the defect, including “contamination, power short to ground, connector corrosion, connector pin swaging, and incorrect outputs from the OSS sensor.” In the previous recall, Ford blamed the problem on a manufacturing error by a molded lead frame supplier which caused the circuit carrying the OSS sensor signal to break.

Safety concerns and complaints

Sudden downshifting may increase the risk of an accident that can hurt the drivers and other people on or off the road.  In fact, an investigation into the Ford transmission downshifting issue uncovered 10 crashes and three injuries caused by this defect. 

Over 1,000 complaints were logged by the distressed F-150 owners to both NHTSA and Ford and there were  “many instances” where the issue caused drivers to swerve out of their lanes or off the road.

One  of them said when the gears changed without warning, “it [felt] like you got hit from behind, causing you to slam your head and body on the seat.” Another one said that its 2013 F-150 would lose power, stall or shift on its own, “leaving the truck a wreck waiting to happen at any time.”

Warning signs 

Downshifting in these instances typically happened without warning. Besides the gear switch, drivers may notice problems with their speedometers, erratic gear shifting, and the transmission stuck in one gear. Most drivers who complained reported that they were able to continue driving after stopping and restarting the car.

The repair

Dealers will reprogram the recalled Ford F-150’s PCM, free of charge. The repair is currently available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

As of July 29, 2020 – the last date for which information is available – 756,000 vehicles in this Ford truck recall have been repaired.  To see if your F-150  is amongst those that still need to be fixed, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Note: February 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have rewritten it to include the best, most up-to-date information.

Rebecca RandFord recalls 1.2 million F-150s for faulty automatic transmission
More Takata Airbags Recalled

More Takata Airbags Recalled

January 9, 2019 Sandra Thomas

Fords (NYSE:F) has recalled nearly 800,000 vehicles equipped with Takata airbags that may explode, shooting shrapnel at vehicle occupants. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2010 Ford Edge
  • 2010 Lincoln MKX
  • 2010-2011 Ford Ranger
  • 2010-2012 Ford Fusion
  • 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ,
  • 2010-2011 Mercury Milan
  • 2010 -2014 Ford Mustang

Millions of makes and models have been recalled for dangerous Takata airbags. Check all your cars here for Takata airbag recalls and other possible recalls.

The repair

Recall repairs are FREE. Some dealers can help make repairs more convenient. Ask for a loaner, mobile repair or what else they can do to make it easier to repair your car right away.

Even if your car’s recalled airbag has been repaired, you could be subject to newer airbag recalls.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 800,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 583,909 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sandra ThomasMore Takata Airbags Recalled
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories