Ford Recalls Nearly 30,000 Vehicles To Repair A Variety of Problems

While some automakers have tried to deep-six mentions of safety recalls and related issues, the Ford Motor Co. has taken the opposite tack. The automaker is willing to discuss safety associated recalls and problems openly. Here's a good example.

Ford Recalls Highlight Interesting History

A couple of years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) looked at the recall-related records of Fiat Chrysler Autos (FCA) and Honda. In the run-up to the hearings on various safety issues that faced each automaker, the public learned Jeep issues such as gas tank problems, while Honda received a fine for its lax accident reporting. NHTSA has strict accident and safety reporting requirements that Honda did not meet. The result was a fine for Honda. Until the hearings, few had heard of this problem.

In each case, the automaker had shielded the information. Each automaker had used foot-dragging and push-back to hide each issue, and while the hearings produced lots of heat, it took the same hearings to get the information out to the public.

Ford, on the other hand, has not held back. The automaker was not shy about reporting a significant recall this month involving its Explorer SUVs. In the recall announced last week, Ford identified a failing rear suspension piece as the culprit in13 crashes and several injuries. Ford says the problem involves 350,000 Explorers that the automaker recalled. hat behavior is in marked contrast to the others mentioned.

In keeping with this disclosure, Ford announced two more recall campaigns involving its SUV and automotive lines. The new recall follows a recent campaign where the automaker recalled three lines. You can read about it here.

Ford Recall Involves Cars And SUVs

The first recall involves Ford Taurus cars and Ford Explorer vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Nov 1, 2013, to Dec 23, 2015, also 2014 Ford Edge vehicles. The problem involves the link shaft bracket.

According to Ford, the bracket may fracture after long-term use because of specific vehicle vibrations. Its loss could cause a loss of power while the vehicle is under power or a vehicle's Park function failure. In each case, the vehicle could have unintended motion.

The recall affects about 15,587 vehicles in the U.S. and its territories, plus 367 in Canada. Ford built the Taurus and Explorer SUVs in Chicago from Nov 1. 2013 to Nov 23, 2015. Ford manufactured the Edge SUVs at its Oakville Assembly Plant from Nov 1 to Dec 23, 20134.

Dealers will inspect and replace the link shaft bracket in recalled vehicles. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem.

For more information, contact Ford and ask about recall 20S63.

Ford Recall Involves SUVs With Bad Driveshafts

In the second recall, Ford has called back 2020 Ford Explorers and its corporate twin the Lincoln Aviator. According to the automaker, Ford built the SUVs involved with a poorly welded seam on the driveshaft. The result could be a loss of a mechanical connection between the transfer case and the rear axle. In turn, this condition could result in unintended vehicle movement or the loss of vehicle power.

The defective driveshafts could also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel links or fire.

Ford says the problem affects about 13,000 vehicles, 10,905 in the U.S. and its territories, 1,291 in Canada, and 102 in Mexico. Ford manufactured the affected vehicles at its Chicago Assembly Plant from Aug 24 to Sept 30, 2019.

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft label and replace the driveshaft as needed.

For more information, contact Ford and inquire about recall 20S65.

Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One was that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, and others. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Most of Marc's stories can be found at Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.