Ford Motor (NYSE: F) is recalling ~140,000 2016-2018 model year Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles for sudden engine failures, according to the required safety recall documents made public today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA defect filing said the oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure and seizures. The recall was prompted by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that started in September of 2023 after NHTSA received 95 consumer complaints alleging engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles.
“Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. This may be due to a failed engine oil pump assembly. Engine replacement is required due to the nature of this failure,” NHTSA said then.
A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine damage or seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of the mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt material may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure, according to the NHTSA filing.
Chronology
- On 15 February 2022, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) reviewed a potential issue pertaining to 1.0-liter Fox Classic engine oil pump belt tensioner failures. The CCRG determined that this issue did not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety as the majority of customer verbatims indicated symptoms in the form of check engine light, low oil pressure light, and engine noise. There were no accident or injury allegations related to the concern at the time of that investigation’s closure.
- On 23 July 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Ford regarding allegations of loss of motive power due to engine oil pump failures in 2018 to 2021 Model Year EcoSport Vehicles equipped with 1.0L Fox Classic engines.
- On 1 August 2023, the CCRG reviewed this issue again and investigated loss of motive power complaints.
- From August-October, 2023, Ford conducted vehicle level testing with a failed oil pump drive belt to understand the progression of symptoms. Ford obtained and performed tear-down analysis on 21 warranty return engines with suspected failed oil pumps. This teardown analysis identified the root cause failure modes.
- On 20 September 2023, NHTSA opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-015) to determine the scope and severity of the alleged engine failure and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. NHTSA provided 95 related VOQs with this PE.
- Ford provided a response to PE23-015 on 29 November 2023.
- Between 10 June 2016 and 5 October 2023 Ford is aware of 2099 warranty claims for this issue.
- On 15 December 2023, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is aware of one allegation of a crash resulting in two injuries potentially related to this concern. Ford is unaware of any fatalities related to this concern.
Affected vehicles were built from 24 March 2015 to 4 May 2018, and are equipped with 1.0-liter engines and the 6F15 automatic transmission. Dealer will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge as required by US regulations. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed 13 February 2024. However, a second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, currently forecast moths form now during Quarter 2 of 2024.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S64. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V905.
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.
Ford Recalls EcoSport and Focus Models for Engine Seizures
Ford Motor (NYSE: F) is recalling ~140,000 2016-2018 model year Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles for sudden engine failures, according to the required safety recall documents made public today by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA defect filing said the oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure and seizures. The recall was prompted by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that started in September of 2023 after NHTSA received 95 consumer complaints alleging engine failure due to loss of oil pressure in model year (MY) 2018-2021 Ford EcoSport vehicles.
“Some consumers report a low engine oil pressure warning lamp immediately preceding a complete loss or reduction of motive power while the vehicle is in motion. This may be due to a failed engine oil pump assembly. Engine replacement is required due to the nature of this failure,” NHTSA said then.
A loss of engine oil pressure can result in engine damage or seizure, which can result in a loss of motive power and a loss of the mechanical vacuum pump required to provide power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm may fracture, separate from the tensioner backing plate, and/or the oil pump drive belt material may degrade and lose teeth, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure, according to the NHTSA filing.
Chronology
Affected vehicles were built from 24 March 2015 to 4 May 2018, and are equipped with 1.0-liter engines and the 6F15 automatic transmission. Dealer will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge as required by US regulations. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed 13 February 2024. However, a second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available, currently forecast moths form now during Quarter 2 of 2024.
Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23S64. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V905.
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.