FORD has been forced to recall hundreds of thousands of vehicles over an issue that could cause a fire.
The problem comes amid a tricky few months for the Blue Oval, which has now set a record for the most recalls issued by any carmaker within a single calendar year.
Ford has recalled 700,000 of its vehicles over an issue that could cause a fire[/caption]
The Blue Oval has now set a record for the most recalls issued by any carmaker within a single calendar year[/caption]
The recall affects Bronco Sport models from 2021 to 2024 and Escape models between 2020 and 2022[/caption]
Indeed, according to the Wall Street Journal, the firm has now issued 88 safety recalls, surpassing all other brands
Their latest report affects 700,000 vehicles – specifically Bronco Sport models from 2021 to 2024 and Escape models between 2020 and 2022 – and addresses a fuel leak risk from cracked fuel injectors.
The report states that, left unrepaired, the issue could lead to a fire within the engine compartment.
To remedy the fault, Ford dealers will provide a free interim software upgrade to detect cracked injectors and reduce fire risk, while a permanent solution is currently under development.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, no injuries have been reported in connection with this recall.
Ford anticipates the recall will cause a $750 million financial impact for its second quarter.
The car giant’s high number of recalls in recent times is perhaps a result of their proactive approach in identifying and addressing issues.
In fact, the company has doubled its team of safety experts to improve the quality of its vehicles, even conducting audits and follow-ups on past recalls, especially those that were resolved with quick software fixes.
To this end, Ford states that a third of its recent recalls have been issued as a result of a continuing audit or to follow up on past recalls.
“The recall includes an interim software update, which will help detect cracked injectors and mitigate fire risk,” the company said in a statement.
This comes as Ford has been sued by a family who have claimed the automaker failed to warn the public of a deadly defect in one of their most popular models.
The Horn family from Pueblo, Colorado, endured a devastating tragedy when a loved one lost their life in a crash.
They claim Ford failed to warn the public about what they call a defect with Ford Super Duty pickup trucks – released from 1999 to 2016, according to KKTV.
The report claims that Steven Horn was driving a Ford Super Duty pickup with his family in March when wind allegedly caused the truck to roll over.
While his family survived, Steven was crushed by the collapsing roof and killed.
Attorney Jake Berman, who is representing the Horn family, claims these specific Ford pickups pose a risk to drivers.
Elsewhere, Ford’s CEO revealed last month that the brand was forced to shut down some factories thanks to an industry-wide issue plaguing automakers.
Jim Farley opened up about the “day-to-day” struggle that has sometimes made car production impossible.
Speaking on their supply chain issues stemming from America’s tense trade relations with China, he admits Ford and other US auto brands have become heavily reliant on the rival nation to get rare earth minerals which are essential to car production.
American companies get about 90% of their rare earth supplies from China to build features like windshield wipers, seat belts, and speakers, CBS News reported.
So when President Donald Trump sparked a tit-for-tat trade war with the country that resulted in China implementing a 125% revenge tariff, automakers were left worried about the future.
How can I check if my car is part of a recall?
If you own a car that’s been recently recalled, you can easily check your VIN.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) makes it incredibly quick and easy for drivers to check and see if their vehicle is part of a recent (or past) recall.
The VIN checking tool also allows drivers to see whether or not the repair was completed within the last 15 years, making it an incredible tool for buyers of used cars.
All recalls initiated by the NHTSA mean free repairs for drivers, even if it’s an engine or a transmission replacement. If your VIN shows an active recall that has not been repaired, it’s important to make an appointment at your nearest dealership.
Here’s how to make an appointment for a recall:
- Look up your VIN using the NHTSA tool.
- Find out the recall number/ID from the manufacturer.
- Call your nearest dealership’s service center with the ID number handy, and mention you’d like to schedule an appointment to repair the recall. The repair can only be done at a dealership, as they’re authorized by the manufacturer to conduct the repair free of cost using genuine parts.
- Try to make the appointment as soon as possible.
- Once the repair is completed, the dealership will update the information associated with the VIN to reflect it’s been completed.
Source: NHTSA
