NHTSA: Bad Brakes on 1.7M Fords, Lincolns?

The Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened up a formal inquiry about what could be bad brake hoses on 1.7 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles. NHTSA has received 50 complaints alleging front brake hose failures on MY 2013-2018 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ vehicles (RQ 22-004).

These vehicles were not part of the 11 August 2020, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) safety recall 20V-469 on Model Year (MY) 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles that addressed front brake hoses (jounce hoses) rupturing prematurely. The cause was due to consistent localized failures of the internal reinforcement braid due to cyclic fatigue during suspension and steering movement. The recall replaced both front brake jounce hoses with a new revised braid material and bled the brake system.

That August 2020 recall (AutoInformed: Ford Motor Recalls for Brakes, Corrosion and Fires, https://autoinformed.com/ford-motor-recalls-for-brakes-corrosion-and-fires/) was part of three Ford Motor North American recalls announced that day covering 2015-18 Ford Edge and 2016-18 Lincoln MKX 2020 Lincoln Corsair crossovers, and 2020 Ford F-150 pickups. All told more than ~560,000 vehicles were recalled then for dangerous safety defects.

The vehicles recalled then for brake defects “have front brake jounce hoses that could rupture, causing a progressive brake fluid leak. If the brake fluid reservoir is depleted enough, the brake fluid warning indicator light will illuminate. The driver may experience an increase in brake pedal travel, together with a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the front brake jounce hoses with new hoses that have a revised braid material. The Ford reference number for this recall is 20S42. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition. This action affects 488,594 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 62,876 in Canada and 7,140 in Mexico.” AutoInformed.com wrote.

Many of the newer complaints as of today allege that the brake hoses are “rupturing, leaking brake fluid and occurring with little to no warning. Leaked brake fluid can cause a soft brake pedal, increased pedal travel and/or extended braking distances.” ODI also said “it is aware of one alleged crash as a result of a failed brake hose, with no injuries. ODI is opening this RQ – recall query – to assess the scope adequacy of safety recall 20V-469.”