Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 350,000 full-size SUVs and heavy-duty pickups in two separate actions for two different issues. In the case of the SUVs, they face a potential fire hazard, while the pickups may have airbags that fail to deploy.
The company is telling owners of certain 2021 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators to park their vehicles outside and away from structures as there is a potential for an under-hood fire. The vehicles in question were built during the fourth-month period between Dec. 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, officials said.
In all, there have been 16 incidents, which Ford began investigating March 24. However, the company’s not been able to pin down a reason for the fires, officials noted in a statement. The incidents are believed to originate in the rear of the engine compartment near the passenger side of the vehicle.
“We are working around the clock to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy so that customers can continue to enjoy using their vehicles,” Jeffrey Marentic, general manager of Ford passenger vehicles, said in a statement.
High sense of urgency
Fourteen of the incidents occurred on vehicles owned by rental companies at multiple locations, and two were retail customer vehicles. Additionally, 12 reportedly occurred while the vehicle was parked and not running, while one reportedly occurred when the vehicle was parked and running, and three reportedly while the vehicle was in motion.
Ford officials have not yet is a stop-driving order, but also do not know the cause of the fires.
Ford is treating this recall with a high sense of urgency and will communicate to customers using FordPass and Lincoln Way apps as well as mailing notices once it finalizes the list of owners and addresses within the recalled vehicle population.
Big trucks, no inflation
The automaker is also recalling about 310,000 of its heavy-duty trucks due to problems with the airbag inflators.
According to the company, dust can get into the airbag wiring in the steering wheel. This can interfere with connections in the steering wheel leading to the airbag. Dealers will replace steering-wheel wiring. Owners will be notified by mail starting July 5.
The result is a possibility the airbag may not inflate in a collision. It affects only certain F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 pickups.
