Category Archives: Ford

News about Ford automobile manufacturer. News about Ford recalls, technical service bulletins (TSB), and problems regarding Ford vehicles.

Ford Escape, Ford Maverick And Lincoln Corsair Engine Failure

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Ford Motor Company (Ford) has recently announced a crucial safety recall for specific models of Ford Escape, Ford Maverick, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The recall aims to address a potential issue that could lead to a vehicle fire, urging affected owners to promptly visit their dealers for necessary repairs and precautions.

The vehicles affected by this recall include those equipped with 2.5L HEV/PHEV engines, manufactured during the specified time frames. The identified problem revolves around the premature failure of these engines, which can have severe consequences. When an engine fails, there is a risk of significant quantities of engine oil and/or fuel vapor being released under the vehicle’s hood. These substances may then migrate to and accumulate near potential ignition sources, posing a potential fire hazard. In addition to the risk of fire, localized melting of components or the emission of smoke may also occur.

The specific models affected by this recall are the 2020-2023 Ford Escape, the 2022-2023 Ford Maverick, and the 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair. Ford has identified isolated engine manufacturing issues as the root cause of the 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine failures that result in engine block or oil pan breaches. Despite the breach, the HEV/PHEV system continues to propel the vehicle, allowing the driver to continue operating it. Unfortunately, this means that as the driver continues to drive after a block breach, oil and/or fuel vapor continues to be expelled and accumulate near ignition sources, exacerbating the risk.

Owners of the affected vehicles should be aware of the signs indicating engine failure. These signs include loud noises such as a metal-to-metal clank, which will be audible to the vehicle’s occupants. Additionally, an engine failure will lead to a reduction in engine torque. If drivers notice any unexpected engine noises, experience an unexpected torque reduction, or observe smoke emanating from the engine compartment, they are strongly advised to safely park the vehicle and promptly shut off the engine.

Ford is actively working on developing the remedy for this issue. In the meantime, interim letters have been sent out to notify owners of the safety risk. These letters were mailed on June 23, 2023, to inform owners about the importance of addressing the issue. Once the remedy is available, a second round of letters will be sent out to inform owners and provide instructions for getting the necessary repairs. It’s important to note that this recall, identified by Ford as recall number 23S27, expands and replaces the previous recall number 22V-484. Therefore, even if the vehicles have been previously repaired under recall number 22V-484, owners will still need to have the new remedy completed to ensure their safety.

Lincoln MKC Fire Risk While Parked

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Lincoln MKC under hood fire

Ford Motor Company has made a decision regarding a defect that poses a risk to motor vehicle safety in specific models of Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2019. These vehicles, produced during the mentioned time frame, have been found to have a potential for under hood fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

In March 2023, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) was made aware of the issue related to 18 reports of under hood fires involving 2015 to 2017 model year MKC vehicles in North America and China. It is noteworthy that all these incidents occurred when the vehicles were parked and not in use.

Ford’s CCRG initiated a thorough investigation that spanned throughout March, April, and May. The investigation encompassed various activities, such as comprehensive vehicle inspections, reviews of suppliers involved in the manufacturing process, assessments of product designs, detailed analysis of field data, and rigorous examination of components and subsystems in laboratory settings.

At present, the investigation has not been able to find the cause or origin of the fires. Nevertheless, it was observed that the fires seemed to originate in close proximity to the vehicles’ 12-volt batteries, which raised concerns regarding the potential link between the fires and the battery system.

As of May 2023, Ford’s CCRG has received information about 19 potentially related incidents of under hood fires, all of which occurred while the vehicles were parked and turned off.

Ford’s Field Review Committee thoroughly examined the matter and decided to undertake a field action to provide guidance to vehicle owners. As part of this field action, Ford advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from any structures until the completion of the ongoing investigation. This precautionary measure aims to minimize the risk of potential fires until a conclusive resolution is reached.

For reference, customers and owners can refer to Ford’s designated number for this recall, which is 23S28, and the corresponding NHTSA campaign number, which is 23V-378.

Ford F-150 BEV Tail Lights Flicker

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Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) due to a problem that may cause inoperative or flickering back-up lights. This issue came to the attention of Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) in March 2023, following reports of moisture in the rear light bar of select F-150 BEV Platinum and Lariat vehicles from the 2022 and 2023 model years. These vehicles feature a rear light bar that spans the tailgate and houses the supplemental tail lamp and reverse lamp functions. Upon further investigation, Ford discovered an increased rate of warranty reports citing moisture in the rear light bar, which consequently resulted in certain claims of malfunctioning or flickering rear supplemental tail lamps and reverse lamps.

Upon examining the returned parts, Ford observed the presence of water droplets or condensation within the lamp, indicating micro cracks in the outer lens of the light bar. Testing conducted on the parts retrieved from the field revealed that over half of them had either inoperative or flickering supplemental tail lamps and/or reverse lamps. The investigation by the CCRG pinpointed the cause of stress on the light bar to be static and dynamic loading during the assembly plant fit process, which involves aligning the tailgate and surrounding components. Additionally, extreme tailgate surface loading in temperatures below -40 Celsius was also identified as a factor. The forces exerted on the light bar and its housing result in stress being transferred to the lens, potentially leading to the development of micro cracks.

To address this issue, owners who receive notices will be required to visit their dealerships to have the rear light bar replaced. Ford has assigned the recall number 23S30 to this specific recall, while the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-418.

In situations where vehicle owners encounter persistent issues with their newly purchased vehicles, such as the problems described above, they may be protected by lemon laws. Lemon laws vary by jurisdiction but are generally designed to provide legal recourse to consumers who unknowingly purchase vehicles with substantial defects that affect their safety, value, or use. These laws typically require manufacturers to either replace the defective vehicle or refund the purchase price if the vehicle cannot be adequately repaired within a reasonable number of attempts. If you suspect that your vehicle is a lemon, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the lemon law provisions in your jurisdiction and consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and options for resolution.

Front Wheels May Lock Up in 2023 Ford Trucks and SUVs

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Ford is reaching out to the owners of certain 2023 Ford trucks and SUVs regarding a power-train issue that could lead to a loss of 4-wheel drive. The front wheels could also lock up as a result of the defect. This problem has been discovered in the 2023 model year Ford F-150 4×4, as well as the Ford Expedition 4×4 and Lincoln Navigator 4×4 vehicles.

The problem was first detected in January 2023 during the loading process, when reports of front axle pinion fractures on three F-150 4×4 vehicles were received by Ford’s critical concern review group (CCRG). An investigation into the issue found that the same pinions were installed on the Expedition and Navigator 4×4 vehicles.

Further investigation showed that the fractured pinions did not undergo the required heat treatment process at Ford’s axle manufacturing plant. This heat treatment process is crucial to reduce the hardness and brittleness of the pinion stem threads. The problem was limited to pinions in 3.73:1 gear ratio axles, and a team was dispatched to conduct eddy current hardness checks of all available stock at affected assembly plants. The CCRG investigative team also reviewed plant process records to determine the build population of suspect dates.

The pinion can break at any time in 4×4 applications, but it is expected to happen primarily while in reverse as the pinion is subject to higher loads. The driver may hear a loud noise when the pinion breaks or when the drive shaft and flange hit the frame cross member and stability bar after the pinion fractures.

Ford will replace the front axle pinion gear set, and if there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Ford’s recall number is 23S07, and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-128.

If you own a 2023 Ford Expedition, F-150, or Navigator, it is important to be aware of this recall and take appropriate action. This is a safety-related issue that should be addressed to avoid any potential safety hazards while driving.

2023 Ford Bronco Sport ABS Module Leak

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Ford will be asking the owners of certain 2023 Bronco Sports vehicles, to return to their dealerships to repair a problem that could lead to unexpected brake problems. Ford used supplier records to determine the population of affected vehicles in which the problematic Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) is installed. (Component Part Number: LX6C-2B373-LG)

In December 2022, Ford was contacted by the manufacturer of their ABS, about a quality issue affecting the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) of an Electronic Brake Booster (EBB). According to the defect report, a foreign object was introduced into the tool that assembles the Normally Closed (NC) valves used in the ABS Module. This object could create a “flat spot” damage to the ball which creates the seal. This damage could allow an unintended leak path through the valve. If the valve leaks, the driver may experience inconsistent brake pedal travel without warning. Additionally, the driver-selectable Auto Vehicle Hold feature may not operate as intended. The vehicle could creep unexpectedly after an auto-hold event is initiated.

Owners who receive notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the ABS module replaced. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S01 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-021.

This is the third recall affecting the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. In November 2022, Ford recalled half a million 2020-2023 Escape and 2021-2023 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. A fuel injector may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment and cause an under hood fire. (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V-859)

In September, Ford recalled 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 F-150 vehicles because the parking lights may flicker during any of the three following scenarios. (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V-859)

  • Scenario 1: When the customer manually selects the “position lamp on” mode.
  • Scenario 2: When the customer manually selects “Headlamp On” Mode.
  • Scenario 3: When the customer is driving in automatic headlamp mode, and the environment gets dark enough to trigger “Night Mode”, which turns on the headlamp and parking lamp function.

2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator And Corsair Seat Belt Warning Malfunction

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Ford Motor Company (Ford) has decided that a defect affecting the seat belt warning system could exist in certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The vehicles affected are equipped with a Revel Audio System.

The problem was discovered in November 2022 when Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group received complaints pertaining to the seat belt warning chime reminder on a 2022 Lincoln Aviator PHEV.

The seat belt reminder system was tested on various combinations of powertrain and audio systems of Lincoln Aviators in an attempt to reproduce the problem. It was discovered that some Lincoln Aviator PHEV vehicles could experience an initial chime duration of fewer than 4 seconds. An audible signal that is activated for less than 4 seconds can result in decreased safety belt usage, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

The engineering team and audio supplier conducted a design of experiments to gain a better understanding of the cause and scope of the problem. They found that the problem affected vehicles equipped with the Revel audio system, introduced on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Corsair. Further seat belt reminder system evaluations were conducted at Ford assembly plants and it was concluded that 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Corsair vehicles could experience the symptom of a chime duration of fewer than 4 seconds

According to the defect report, when the driver’s seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of fewer than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for occupant crash protection.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to contact their dealers about updating the audio control module software in their vehicles. Ford’s number for this recall is 22C35 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-953.

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Half Shaft Replacement

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Ford will be contacting a small number of 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E owners regarding a defect affecting the half-shaft in their cars. Some Mach-E vehicles may have been manufactured with a right rear half-shaft that could break under load.

Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group became aware that there was a problem in July 2022, when product engineering identified two vehicles with broken rear right half-shafts. One broken half-shaft was found during a squeak and rattle validation, and a second just before it was being loaded for transport.

Further investigation found that improper placement during the green turning in the lathe caused too much material to be removed, exceeding the specified minimum wall thickness of 9.1mm. Supplier records showed that inspection of the bottom wall thickness of the rear right half-shaft outer race had been suspended for a period of time which allowed non-compliant parts to pass inspection and be installed in finished rear right half-shaft assemblies. Ford’s team reviewed supplier maintenance records to determine the population of affected parts to have been produced between 07/18/2022 and 07/29/2022.

A broken half-shaft will result in loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels, necessary for motive power and for the transmission to hold the vehicle in park. If the electronic parking brake (EPB) is not manually applied, the loss of the primary park torque will allow the vehicle to roll with the transmission in park.

Owners receiving notifications will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer. Dealers will photograph the label on the right rear half-shaft to confirm the suspect serial number(s). If the serial number matches, the dealer will replace the right rear half-shaft. Customers will be advised to manually apply the parking brake until the inspection and repair is completed. Ford’s number for this recall is 22S55 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-646.

Ford And Lincoln Vehicles Investigated For Brake Hose Ruptures

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Automotive Defect Investigation The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is continuing to investigate certain Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans for front brake hoses that could prematurely rupture.

The vehicles under investigation include:

2013-2018 Ford Fusion
2013-2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ
2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

In August 2020, Ford issued a safety recall (NHTSA campaign number 20V-469) for certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles, because these vehicles were experiencing premature brake hose (jounce hoses) rupturing. The investigation that led to the recall found that the problem was due to localized failures of the internal reinforcement braid because of cyclic fatigue during suspension and steering movement. The recalled part was introduced into Ford Edge production on June 25, 2014, and was taken out of production on December 21, 2017. The recall had dealers replacing both front brake jounce hoses with a newly revised braid material and performing a brake system bleed.

The ODI has continued to receive complaints alleging front brake hose failures on 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and 2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that were not included in the Safety Recall (20V-469). Customer complaints allege the brake hoses are rupturing and leaking brake fluid, with little to no warning. The leaked brake fluid can cause drivers to experience a soft brake pedal, increased pedal travel, and/or extended braking distances. The ODI has received over 50 complaints related to this problem. One complaint alleged a crash as the result of a failed brake hose.

Lemon laws are state and federal laws that provide protection for consumers who buy or lease cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and other consumer goods. The goal of such lemon laws is to provide compensation to consumers for defective products that fail to meet the standards of quality and performance asserted in manufacturers’ warranties.

If your vehicle is experiencing repeated problems like the ones listed above, it could be a Lemon. Know your Lemon Law Rights. If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 1-888-395-3666 and get some great Lemon Law advice!