Two New Safety Recalls at Ford Motor – F-Series and Explorer

Ford Motor Company is issuing two new safety recalls in North America on some of its newest, best-selling vehicle lines – F-Series, and Explorer. Some 2017-19 Ford F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty vehicles experience unintended tailgate openings. In affected vehicles with an electric tailgate latch-release switch mounted in the tailgate handle, water entering the electrical wiring system may cause a short circuit, resulting in unintended switch activation and release of the tailgate latches. This could cause the tailgate to open unintentionally, whether the vehicle is in motion or parked.

This electrical safety defect  may result in the loss of unrestrained cargo, increasing the risk of a crash. Vehicles with a mechanical tailgate release handle are not affected.

Ford claimed it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries because of this faulty switch. The recall affects 231,664 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories and 29,953 in Canada.

Affected vehicles were built at Kentucky Truck Plant from Oct. 8, 2015, to Nov. 3, 2019. Dealers will modify the tailgate frame wiring harnesses by adding jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and install a new tailgate handle release switch. The Ford reference number for this recall is 19S48.

2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Recall

Ford is also issuing a safety defect recall for 2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. In some vehicles, the “convolute protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line is not long enough, which may allow for potential hard contact with the convolute-protected vapor fuel line. Over time, with vibration and engine roll, hard contact between the two fuel lines could cause the convolute on the vapor fuel line to rub through the plastic liquid fuel line. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.”

Ford claimed it is not aware of any reports of accident, injury or fire related to this design defect. This safety recall  affects 3,858 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 35 in Canada, and seven in Mexico.

Affected vehicles were built at Chicago Assembly Plant: Ford Explorer models built Jan. 18-July 17, 2019 and Lincoln Aviator vehicles built Jan. 15-July 17, 2019

Dealers will inspect vehicles for a full-length yellow-colored protective convolute on the liquid fuel line. If the convolute does not cover the full length of the liquid fuel line, dealers will remove the existing convolute, replace it with one that has the correct length and secure it with a tie strap. The Ford reference number for this recall is 19S49.

AutoInformed on

• First Look: 2020 Explorer Adds More Driver-Assist Systems
• Ford Recalls 1.2M Explorer Models and Others for Defects
• Driving 2020 Explorer: Big Size and Complexity, Bigger Price
• Ford Recalls 311,907 Explorer SUVs for Dangerous Seat Frames