Dave Schoch, then CEO Ford China, at the Chinese Explorer Launch in 2012.
Ford Motor Company today announced three safety recalls in North America on popular and highly profitable F-Series pickups, as well as Explorer and Aviator SUVs. In a release Ford said there are six allegations of injury related to the safety defects in North America. (Ford F-Series Recalls for Windshield Ejections, Wrong Labels, Ford Recalls 2017 Takata Airbag Inflators on F-Series, Mustang!, Shift Indicators Bad on Ford F-Series, Lincolns, Mustangs, Two New Safety Recalls at Ford Motor – F-Series and Explorer)
The largest recall and the one with associated injury claims covers 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint. Ford is issuing this safety recall for approximately 774,696 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that may cause a fractured rear suspension toe link. Affected vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel. Fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
This safety defect covers approximately 676,152 vehicles in North America, 59,935 in China, 25,257 in Ford’s International Markets Group, 13,162 in Europe and 190 in South America. In the U.S., the affected vehicles are located in high-corrosion states as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or “in regions with a combination of cold winter weather with relative high humidity and substantial road salt use.” Vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant between Sept. 4, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2017, and Elabuga Assembly Plant in Russia between Jan. 28, 2013 and July 28, 2017. Owner notifications will begin the week of Aug. 23. Dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint, replace the cross-axis ball joint/knuckle as necessary, and replace the toe links with a revised design part. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S32. Ford is providing a customer satisfaction program for vehicles not sold or registered in corrosion states.
Another safety defect recall covers 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter gas engines for improperly secured battery cable wire harnesses. Approximately 40,995 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter gas engines may have an improperly secured battery cable wire harness, allowing contact with the A/C compressor pulley. Over time, the A/C pulley may rub through the wire harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive (B+) circuit, resulting in a short circuit and potential fire. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S34.
This recall affects approximately 36,258 vehicles in North America, 2,601 in Ford’s International Markets Group, and 2,136 in China. Vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant between June 19, 2019 and Jan. 5, 2021. Ford claimed it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this concern.
Owner notifications will begin the week of July 30. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and:
- If there is no evidence that the battery cable has contacted the A/C compressor pulley, they will add a tie strap near the frame rail between the battery cable harness and the engine compartment harness.
- If any of the small gauge circuits are damaged, dealers will add a tie strap near the frame rail between battery cable and engine compartment harnesses and replace the A/C compressor belt.
- If any of the four large gauge circuits are damaged, dealers will inspect the wire harness and replace the battery cable harness and will also add a tie strap near frame rail between battery cable harness and engine compartment harnesses and replace the A/C compressor belt.
Yet another safety recall is on ~34,939 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickups with the 6.7-liter engine and single rear wheel axle. A rear axle housing spring seat interface weld defect may cause rear driveline disconnection. Customers may experience vibration and/or shaking while driving at highway speeds, and/or shuddering upon acceleration. In the event of a disconnected driveshaft, customers may experience loss of motive power while driving or loss of transmission park function if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
This defect affects 34,855 vehicles in North America, with the remaining in Ford’s International Markets Group. Vehicles were built at Kentucky Truck Plant between Aug. 6, 2020 and May 15, 2021. Ford claimed it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.
Dealers will inspect rear axle to determine if deformation is present. If the axle is deformed, the axle housing will be replaced. If axle is not deformed, the dealer will perform a weld repair on the spring seats. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S31.
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.
Three More Ford Recalls – 885,569 F-Series, Explorers, Aviators
Dave Schoch, then CEO Ford China, at the Chinese Explorer Launch in 2012.
Ford Motor Company today announced three safety recalls in North America on popular and highly profitable F-Series pickups, as well as Explorer and Aviator SUVs. In a release Ford said there are six allegations of injury related to the safety defects in North America. (Ford F-Series Recalls for Windshield Ejections, Wrong Labels, Ford Recalls 2017 Takata Airbag Inflators on F-Series, Mustang!, Shift Indicators Bad on Ford F-Series, Lincolns, Mustangs, Two New Safety Recalls at Ford Motor – F-Series and Explorer)
The largest recall and the one with associated injury claims covers 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint. Ford is issuing this safety recall for approximately 774,696 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles that may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that may cause a fractured rear suspension toe link. Affected vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel. Fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
This safety defect covers approximately 676,152 vehicles in North America, 59,935 in China, 25,257 in Ford’s International Markets Group, 13,162 in Europe and 190 in South America. In the U.S., the affected vehicles are located in high-corrosion states as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or “in regions with a combination of cold winter weather with relative high humidity and substantial road salt use.” Vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant between Sept. 4, 2012 and Sept. 30, 2017, and Elabuga Assembly Plant in Russia between Jan. 28, 2013 and July 28, 2017. Owner notifications will begin the week of Aug. 23. Dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint, replace the cross-axis ball joint/knuckle as necessary, and replace the toe links with a revised design part. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S32. Ford is providing a customer satisfaction program for vehicles not sold or registered in corrosion states.
Another safety defect recall covers 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter gas engines for improperly secured battery cable wire harnesses. Approximately 40,995 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter gas engines may have an improperly secured battery cable wire harness, allowing contact with the A/C compressor pulley. Over time, the A/C pulley may rub through the wire harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive (B+) circuit, resulting in a short circuit and potential fire. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S34.
This recall affects approximately 36,258 vehicles in North America, 2,601 in Ford’s International Markets Group, and 2,136 in China. Vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant between June 19, 2019 and Jan. 5, 2021. Ford claimed it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this concern.
Owner notifications will begin the week of July 30. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and:
Yet another safety recall is on ~34,939 2020-2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickups with the 6.7-liter engine and single rear wheel axle. A rear axle housing spring seat interface weld defect may cause rear driveline disconnection. Customers may experience vibration and/or shaking while driving at highway speeds, and/or shuddering upon acceleration. In the event of a disconnected driveshaft, customers may experience loss of motive power while driving or loss of transmission park function if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
This defect affects 34,855 vehicles in North America, with the remaining in Ford’s International Markets Group. Vehicles were built at Kentucky Truck Plant between Aug. 6, 2020 and May 15, 2021. Ford claimed it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.
Dealers will inspect rear axle to determine if deformation is present. If the axle is deformed, the axle housing will be replaced. If axle is not deformed, the dealer will perform a weld repair on the spring seats. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S31.
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.