Click to enlarge.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~124,000 model year 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. Customer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prompted this latest Ford expansion of a previous safety defect recall.
“In some of the affected vehicles, a seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder may become compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. If the brake fluid reservoir is depleted below a predetermined level, the driver will be alerted that brake system service is required by a combination of an audible chime, a full screen message center alert, and illumination of the red brake warning indicator,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall notification made public this morning by NHTSA.
“If the brake fluid reservoir continues to be depleted, the driver may experience a change in brake pedal travel and feel, and reduced brake function in the front wheels without affecting brake function in the rear wheels. Reduced brake function in the front wheels can extend stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford said.
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge as required Federal safety legislation. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 28 April 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S37. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov about NHTSA recall campaign 25V236 or 25V-236.
Chronology
- On February 6, 2025, an issue pertaining to Ford Expedition Brake Master Cylinders was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Group (CCRG) for review.
- On January 15, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had contacted Ford regarding Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs). NHTSA had received VOQs alleging brake fluid leakage into the brake booster on certain 2017 model year Ford Expedition vehicles. NHTSA also inquired if this condition could be related to prior Ford recall 22S11 (NHTSA FSA 22V150). Ford decided to bring this concern in to CCRG for further investigation after analyzing these VOQs and providing its response to the agency on 30 January 2025.
- Throughout February and March, Ford completed a comprehensive data update for both warranty and field reports as well as VOQ reports related to this concern. This data shows an elevated rate of warranty repairs and VOQ reports for Expedition and Navigator vehicles produced after 31 January 2017, when FSA 22S11 concluded, extending through June 2017. Ford found no evidence of an elevated trend in F-150 vehicles produced within this same time period, however, Ford is unable to establish a rationale for this difference in field performance.
- As of 31 January 2025, Ford is aware of 73 warranty claims for Expedition or Navigator vehicles produced between 1 February 2017 and 30 June 2017. These claims were received between 16 March 2018 and 28 September 2024. Ford is also aware of 17 warranty claims for F-150 vehicles produced between 1 February 2017 and 30 June 2017. These claims were received between 23 August 2017 and 12 April 2024.
- On 4 April 2025, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident, injury, or fire related to this safety defect.
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 Expedition and Navigator SUVs for Bad Brakes
Click to enlarge.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~124,000 model year 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster. Customer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration prompted this latest Ford expansion of a previous safety defect recall.
“In some of the affected vehicles, a seal in the rear of the brake master cylinder may become compromised, allowing brake fluid to leak into the brake booster. If the brake fluid reservoir is depleted below a predetermined level, the driver will be alerted that brake system service is required by a combination of an audible chime, a full screen message center alert, and illumination of the red brake warning indicator,” Ford said in the mandatory safety defect recall notification made public this morning by NHTSA.
“If the brake fluid reservoir continues to be depleted, the driver may experience a change in brake pedal travel and feel, and reduced brake function in the front wheels without affecting brake function in the rear wheels. Reduced brake function in the front wheels can extend stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash,” Ford said.
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge as required Federal safety legislation. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 28 April 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25S37. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov about NHTSA recall campaign 25V236 or 25V-236.
Chronology
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.