Ford recalls over 43,000 vehicles in the US due to fire risk; SUVs, vans and large trucks included
Ford has announced recalling of over 43,000 vehicles through three separate call backs for the United States market. The vehicles affected by the suspected issues are Lincoln MKC, Ford Transit vans, Ford Explorer SUV and the heavy-duty trucks such as the F650 and F750.
In repeated tests the American manufacturer had found that Transit vans have the side curtain airbags positioned improperly on one side or in the worst case both sides of the model. This could lead to the airbags not being deployed in the event of a crash says Ford. No such life threatening accidents have been reported yet added the company.
The owners of the Transit vans will be intimated of the voluntary recall and they will be asked to fix the issue by visiting their nearest authorised Ford dealerships. The technicians will inspect and repair as per the requirement for free of cost. The low-roof transits produced between March 12, 2014 and March 18, 2016 at the brand’s assembly base in Kansas City will be subjected to the recall. This accounts to about 37,066 units in total. The next call back is for the faulty engine block design especially with the block heater installed.
This could cause overheating even when the affected Transit vehicles are parked and block heater is plugged in. Ford received two complaints with the underhood fire occurring in Canada with this particular problem but no injuries or accidents have been reported. The engine block heater will be updated for the affected 1,543 vehicles which include Lincoln MKC models rolled out of Ford’s assembly lines in Louisville and produced between November 25, 2013 and January 25, 2016.
The new Ford Explorer built from the Chicago Assembly Plant from October 20, 2014 and January 28, 2016 are also involved in this recall. Some Ford F650 and F750 heavy-duty trucks have been discovered to possess faulty parking brake cable connector clips as well. Due to incorrect specifications, the clips can break and in turn allow the trucks to move without any intention.
Although no accidents or injuries with such issue have been reported, Ford will change that particular component for no cost to owners of the 750 affected trucks. The high-duty F650 and F750s under question were assembled at the Escobedo Assembly in Mexico between January 28, 2015 and April 23, 2015 and the ones at the Ohio Assembly Plant between January 31, 2015 and November 30, 2015.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & on Youtube