Ford Recalls Transit Vans for Steering Loss

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2023-2024 model year Transit vehicles equipped with a Transit Trail package, according to the required safety defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today. The problem results in a loss of power steering assist. The recalled part was introduced into production on 15 March /2022 and was taken out of production on 6 March 2024. Affected vehicles are equipped with the Transit Trail package. (Read AutoInformed.com on Ford EVs and Quality Damage First Half Net Income and EPS)

“The Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) ground eyelet joint may have exposed substrate material which is susceptible to corrosion and may lead to a disconnect of the EPAS ground A disconnect of the EPAS ground due to corrosion may result in loss of power to the EPAS Motor and Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), which may result in intermittent or complete loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash,” Ford said in the filing.

Dealers will install a new EPAS ground pigtail kit, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 5 August 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24S46. 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.safercar.gov about NHTSA 24V542.

Chronology

• On 25 April 2024, an issue pertaining to Electronic Power Steering Assist (EPAS) ground corrosion on 2023-2024 Model Year Transit vehicles equipped with the Transit Trail equipment package was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) for review. The issue was identified during a Ford review of Transit Trail vehicles. Ford discovered that, due to the vehicle’s body lift, the EPAS ground joint had been reworked and relocated from its base location.
• During the CCRG investigation, Ford Engineering inspected the suspect parts on select vehicles and determined that the rework of the tin-plated ground eyelet exposed the substrate material to environmental conditions. This modified ground eyelet is susceptible to corrosion over time, which may lead to loss of power to the EPAS motor and Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), and could cause the vehicle to intermittently or completely lose power steering assist.
• On 24 June 2024, the CCRG investigative team reviewed two unsold Transit Trail vehicles with reworked ground eyelets. Ford observed early signs of corrosion. As of 24 June 2024, Ford said is not aware of any customer, warranty or field reports related to this concern.
• On 12 July 2024, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action. Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.