Ford recalls 350,000 SUVs including Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators because they could catch FIRE

Ford recalls 350,000 SUVs including Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators amid fears they could catch FIRE or experience airbag failure

  • Ford on Thursday announced the recall of 39,013 Expedition and Navigator SUVs in the United States, built between December 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021
  • The vehicles are being recalled because there have been incidents of fires breaking out beneath the hood
  • Of the 16 fires, 12 happened while the SUV engines were turned off, and owners have been told to park outside 
  • Earlier this week they issued two other recalls, including 310,000 2016 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks 
  • Those vehicles were recalled because of problems in airbags, with dust accumulating in the steering wheel clock spring and meaning they disconnect
  • Ford officials recently reported the company lost $3.1 billion over the past three months due to a shortage of semiconductor chips and investment in EVs

Owners of 39,000 Ford SUVs are being told to return them to their dealers and park them outdoors because of incidents of the engine catching fire – even when the vehicle was parked and off.

Fires were reported in 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, built over a four-month period between December 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021.

One person was injured, but no accidents were caused, Ford said in a statement on Thursday. 

The company is recommending that the SUVs be parked outdoors and away from buildings. 

So far it hasn’t developed a repair for the fires, which appear to start at the back of the engine compartment on the passenger side. 

Of the 16 incidents of fire under the hood, 12 reportedly occurred while the vehicle was parked and off; one reportedly while the vehicle was parked and on; and three reportedly while the vehicle was in motion. 

Expeditions begin at $49,625; Navigators start at $76,185.

‘We are working around-the-clock to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy so that customers can continue to enjoy using their vehicles’ said Jeffrey Marentic, general manager of Ford Passenger Vehicles. 

‘We recognize the importance of staying in touch with our customers until we resolve this matter.’ 

An assembly worker is pictured at the Ford Dearborn factory. The company has recalled 350,000 SUVs due to faults in engines and airbags

An assembly worker is pictured at the Ford Dearborn factory. The company has recalled 350,000 SUVs due to faults in engines and airbags

Certain 2021 Lincoln Navigators, which start at $76,185, have been recalled. They were made between December 2020 and the end of April 2021

Certain 2021 Lincoln Navigators, which start at $76,185, have been recalled. They were made between December 2020 and the end of April 2021 

Ford has also issued a recall for some of their 2021 Expeditions, which begin at $49,625

Ford has also issued a recall for some of their 2021 Expeditions, which begin at $49,625

The Dearborn, Michigan-based company is also asking the owners of 310,000 heavy-duty trucks to go back to their dealer, because the driver’s air bag may not inflate in a crash.

The recall covers certain F-250, 350, 450 and 550 trucks built in 2016. 

Dust can get into the air bag wiring in the steering wheel, disconnecting the electricity. Dealers will replace steering wheel wiring. 

Owners will be notified by mail starting July 5, Ford said.

The company is also recalling 464 electric Mustang Mach-E SUVs from 2021. 

A software problem can cause unintended acceleration, deceleration or a loss of drive power in all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Ford says in documents posted Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the powertrain control computer may not detect a software error.

The problem will be fixed by dealers or by an online software update. Owners will be notified by letter around May 30.

The 2016 Ford F-350 is among those vehicles which have been recalled due to problems with their airbags

The 2016 Ford F-350 is among those vehicles which have been recalled due to problems with their airbags

The recall is just the latest to befall the embattled company.  

Ford a month ago recalled more than a quarter-million Explorer SUVs, because they could roll away unexpectedly while shifted into park. 

Ford and General Motors also recalled nearly 682,000 compact SUVs in April because the windshield wipers can fail.

The company lost $3.1 billion in the last three months, which they blamed on a shortage of semiconductor chips which limited production and sale of vehicles.

The losses were also a result of its heavy investment in electric-vehicle startup Rivian.

source: dailymail.co.uk