Ford has issued four different vehicle defect recalls, three of which affect U.S. customers. According to a report on CNET.com, the biggest of these recalls covers the popular 2011–2017 Ford Explorer SUV because of a fractured rear toe link in the vehicle’s suspension, which could cause a crash. This recall covers more than 1.2 million vehicles in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ford said in an official release that the problem with the toe link failure could significantly affect the vehicle’s ability to be steered, increasing the possibility of a car accident. Ford has said it is unaware of any injuries related to this potential failure, reporting only that one customer’s SUV hit a curb after its toe link failed. When the recall begins, dealers will replace the potentially faulty suspension toe links on both sides and align the rear suspension.
Other Safety Recalls/Safety Campaigns
Ford 150: This safety campaign involves select 2013 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with six-speed automatic gearboxes. It covers 123,000 North American models.
Affected F-150 models with either a 5.0-liter or 6.2-liter V8 gas engine previously had their powertrain control module reprogrammed as part of another recall service action. Those vehicles may have received an incomplete software update. Ford dealers will reprogram affected powertrain control modules to remedy the issue.
Econoline: Ford also recalls around 4,300 of its 2009–2016 Econoline trucks equipped with a school bus or ambulance prep package. In these vehicles, the transmission’s clutch component could have a faulty capacitive discharge weld that may fail. Ford will replace the affected Econoline vehicles’ coast clutch cylinder and swap a dual-engaging one-way clutch for the current single-engagement unit.
If You Have Been Affected
Suppose you suspect your vehicle may be part of a safety recall. In that case, it may be best to visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website and find out by plugging in your vehicle identification number or VIN. If your vehicle is part of a recall, then it is important you take it to an authorized dealer to make the repairs. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, you must ensure all recall-related repairs are made before you purchase a vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to an auto defect, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages and losses suffered. Contact an experienced auto defect lawyer for more information about pursuing your legal rights.
