Potentially unsafe Ford trucks include 2015 F-150 pickups built at Kansas City Assembly Plant and 2015 F-150 models built at Dearborn Truck Plant.
Ford Motor Company has announced a safety recall for 12,300 2015-model Ford F-150 pickup trucks in North America because an upper I-shaft may have been riveted improperly, potentially causing it to separate. If that happens, it could result in the loss of steering control without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. The F-150 is by far Ford’s largest selling vehicle. Riveting instead of welding is used extensively on the latest F-Series because of its aluminum content. Ironically the parts involved are steel.
In a statement, Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries, but is aware of one report of loss of steering believed to be caused by this safety defect.
Potentially unsafe vehicles include 2015 F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly Plant and 2015 F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant. There are 12,328 vehicles in North America, including 8,963 in the United States and federalized territories, 3,348 in Canada and 17 in Mexico. Of those, 6,722 vehicles are unsold; customers are driving the remaining 5,606 vehicles.
Ford dealers will inspect the upper I-shaft assembly and replace it if necessary at no cost to the customer as is required by U.S. safety regulations.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
