Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~274,000 2022-2024 model year Navigator and Expedition SUVs for failing brakes. (read AutoInformed.com on: Latest Ford Recalls – Bronco SUVs and F-150 Pickups and Ford Recalls Expedition and Navigator SUVs for Bad Brakes )
“The front brake line may have been bent during the engine installation process at Ford’s Kentucky Truck final assembly plant,” according to the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The customer may experience an increase in pedal travel. With continued driving, a leaking brake line will cause the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir to decrease. When the level reaches the ‘Low’ mark on the reservoir, the red brake warning indicator light will illuminate. If there is a rapid loss of brake fluid or the brake fluid is completely depleted, this can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chronology
- On 27 February 2025, an issue pertaining to front brake line leaks was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for review following an internal detection of an increase of brake system warranty on 2022 model year Navigator vehicles.
- From March 2025 to April 2025, Ford reviewed assembly plant records and investigated the assembly process. Through this investigation, Ford’s CCRG discovered that Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) had modified the radiator hose stowage process during engine decking. This modification was done to prevent the brake line from being bent and was made starting on20 November 2024 to ensure proper clearances were met.
- The CCRG determined that Expedition and Navigator vehicles, produced prior to this stowage process modification at KTP, could potentially experience a bent brake line during the engine installation process. Under the old process, during engine installation, the radiator hose could catch the right front brake line, bending it, which could lead to mis-routing of the brake tube and rubbing against the engine air cleaner outlet pipe. The engine installation process at KTP was initiated for 2022 MY production, which also included a new brake line design.
- As of 17 April 2025, Ford is aware of 45 warranty reports of a front brake line leak received between November 4, 2022 and April 8, 2024. Additionally, Ford is aware of two field reports received on 4 August 2022 and 10 April 2025, and two Customer Service Reports received on 6 June 2024 and 28 August 2024.
- On 2May 2025, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the safety defect and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this problem.
Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge as dictated by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S47. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA campaign number 25V314 or 25V-314.
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.
Bad Brakes! Recalls on Ford Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~274,000 2022-2024 model year Navigator and Expedition SUVs for failing brakes. (read AutoInformed.com on: Latest Ford Recalls – Bronco SUVs and F-150 Pickups and Ford Recalls Expedition and Navigator SUVs for Bad Brakes )
“The front brake line may have been bent during the engine installation process at Ford’s Kentucky Truck final assembly plant,” according to the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The customer may experience an increase in pedal travel. With continued driving, a leaking brake line will cause the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir to decrease. When the level reaches the ‘Low’ mark on the reservoir, the red brake warning indicator light will illuminate. If there is a rapid loss of brake fluid or the brake fluid is completely depleted, this can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chronology
Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge as dictated by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S47. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA campaign number 25V314 or 25V-314.
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.