Ford Motor (NYSE:F) is recalling 20,484 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs from model years 2020 to 2024 because of defective batteries, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high-voltage battery cells used in the compact hybrid vehicles may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure. The supplier is Samsung SDI 950Hungary. Ford has been aware of the safety defect since September of 2024.* The high-voltage cell’s separator layer between its cathode and anode may be susceptible to damage as a result of the cell manufacturing process. Separator damage may result in a cell internal short circuit leading to sudden power loss and battery fires.
“In the event of a high-voltage battery cell internal short circuit, the customer will receive a “Stop Safely Now” message displayed via the instrument cluster,” Ford Motor told NHTSA in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. Ford currently anticipates updated software won’t be ready until Q2 of 2025.
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Tesla Recall for Bad Airbags and Windshields
Tesla is recalling some 2024-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles for failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, “Occupant Crash Protection” and 212, “Windshield Mounting.” The driver’s air bag could tear during deployment, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.*
Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed until 21 February 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-24-20-001. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 24V967 or 24V-967. Continue reading →