Ford Recalls 1.2M Explorer Models and Others for Defects

Ford is recalling 1.2 million 2011-17 Ford Explorer SUVs that are exposed to frequent full rear suspension articulation – jounce and rebound in the engineering trade. Over time, a rear suspension toe link can fail. The fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes – if not eliminates – steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

One Explorer customer reported hitting a curb when the toe link broke. Ford is not aware of any reports of injuries related to problem. This safety defect affects approximately 1.2 million vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, approximately 28,000 in Canada and one in Mexico. Affected vehicles were built at the Chicago Assembly Plant, May 17, 2010 to Jan. 25, 2017.

Dealers will remove and replace left and right rear suspension toe links with new forged ones and align the rear suspension. The Ford reference number for this recall is 19S17.

Ford is also issuing a safety recall on 2013 Ford F-150 pickups equipped with 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter gasoline engines that had the powertrain control module software reprogrammed as part of recall 19S07. The powertrain control module software used to service these vehicles in accordance with recall 19S07 was incomplete.

So, this is a recall of a recall. It did not have the updates necessary to prevent a potential unintended downshift into first gear or the updates necessary to ensure illumination of the malfunction indicator light in the event of an intermittent transmission output speed sensor signal. Vehicles that have not had 19S07 performed are not affected by this recall and will receive updated software under the existing 19S07 program.

A vehicle without the intended 19S07 calibration remains at risk for unintended transmission downshift due to intermittent output speed sensor failure. Depending on vehicle speed, an abrupt transmission downshift to first gear without warning could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this defect.

There’s another safety recall for select 2009-16 Ford Econoline vehicles with 5.4-liter engine for loss of motive power. Ford Econoline vehicles equipped with a 5R110W transmission, 5.4-liter engine, and a school bus or ambulance prep package contain a capacitive discharge weld within a coast clutch component in the transmission. A substandard weld may fatigue and fail, causing an elevated rate of reports of the loss of the ability to move in the subject vehicles. All normal engine, braking and steering functionality is unaffected. Reports indicate that most weld failures occur when torque is highest, which is when the driver attempts to accelerate from a stop.

An elevated rate of loss of mobility in school bus and ambulance vehicle applications could present a unique risk to passengers or occupants including a loss of mobility in school bus applications may result in the transfer of unchaperoned children when the vehicle is immobilized in a roadway. Loss of vehicle mobility in ambulance applications may result in delay of patient treatment. Ford is unaware of any accidents resulting from this condition.

This recall affects approximately 4,300 vehicles in North America, including 3,868 in the United States and federalized territories and 445 in Canada. Affected vehicles were built at Ohio Assembly Plant, May 11, 2009 to Dec. 10, 2015.

Dealers will replace the coast clutch cylinder and the single-engaging coast one-way clutch with a dual-engaging one-way clutch. The Ford number for this recall is 19S20.

There’s also a safety recall for 2010-17 Ford Taurus, 2009-17 Ford Flex, 2009-15 Lincoln MKS and 2010-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles for a rear suspension toe link fracture issue in Canada only

Ford is issuing a safety recall in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Some vehicles operated in these Canadian provinces may experience a fractured rear suspension toe link. A fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is aware of one report of a crash with minor injuries related to this defect in the markets included in this safety recall. This action affects approximately 12,000 vehicles in Canada.

Affected  Vehicles:

• 2010-17 Ford Taurus vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, July 2, 2009 to May 25, 2017
• 2009-17 Ford Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, May 7, 2008 to May 16, 2017
• 2009-15 Lincoln MKS vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 28, 2008 to Sept. 10, 2015
• 2010-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, July 28, 2009 to May 29, 2017

Dealers will replace the left and right-hand rear suspension toe links with new forged toe links. The Ford number for this recall is 19S18.