Ford is not having its best moment and has once again made headlines after learning that many of its vehicles are going to have to be recalled urgently. Why? Due to a serious fault in the engine of several models that would increase the risk of having an accident on the road. If own a Ford, this will definitely interest you.
What happened?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent recall alert for several Ford models that were produced in 2021-2022. The reason is that there is a fault in the crankshaft of the 2.7 and 3.0 litter EcoBoost engines that could cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly, even when you are driving at full speed without any warning. How scary! As you read, you could be going at 120 km/h on a busy road and your car’s engine could say “enough” and stop working from one moment to the next.
Obviously, this is a very serious issue that Ford has not hesitated to take action to address, but we cannot help but think that it not only puts at risk the safety of the driver and passengers of the vehicle itself, but also the safety of other road users.
Have there been any major accidents?
So far, no serious incidents or fatal accidents have been reported, but according to NHTSA, there have been multiple reports of vehicles suddenly stopping while driving. And, of course, that is what led NHTSA to issue its recall notice.
Which Ford models are affected?
Ford estimates more than 90,000 vehicles, and the list includes vehicles manufactured between the years 2021 and 2022:
- Ford Bronco (2021-2022)
- Ford F-150 (2021-2022)
- Ford Edge (2021-2022)
- Ford Explorer (2021-2022)
- Lincoln Nautilus (2021-2022)
- Lincoln Aviator (2021-2022)
If you own one of these model, check your VIN number to see if your car is part of the recall or not. You can do so by entering the VIN number on the NHTSA or Ford website.
What is the VIN number?
It is a unique code assigned to every vehicle form the factory, it is a series of 17 numbers that each vehicle has, similar to a fingerprint to know where it comes from, what model it is, date of manufacture and details of the engine it has. It is also key for moments like this where, to check if your car needs to go to the workshop or not, just present your VIN number and they will tell you automatically. And be careful, your VIN can also be used to check if your car has been stolen or has a questionable history!!
What should the owners do?
Ford began notifying affected users on October 7, 2024, so if you receive a notice, go to your Ford dealer as soon as possible to have your engine’s crankshaft checked and replaced. You will not have to pay absolutely anything because the repair is covered by Ford.
If you have not received a notification, but suspect that your car may be affected, we recommend you to contact Ford as soon as possible to avoid risks and schedule an appointment at the dealership.
How does this affect Ford’s reputation?
Of course, this is not the first recall that Ford has faced, as it has been on the market for many years, but the more recalls that are produced, the more criticism is generated regarding the quality of its engines. Ford remains confident in its models and engines and continues to reaffirm its commitment to the safety of all its users.
Pay attention to the following Ford guidelines and get back on the road without any fear with your Ecoboost engine!