Ford Recalls and Safety Alerts

Ford Motor Company is recalling 77,584 model year 2023-2024 Transit vehicles.

An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear axle tail bearing damage and seizure, which can result in wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.

If the wheels lock-up or the driveshaft separates, the vehicle may lose drive power.

A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied.

Any of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the rear axle, and replace the axle bearings or axle assembly -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 4, 2024.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S05.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 16,543 model year 2021-2022 E-350s and E-450s with dual rear wheels.

An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line free of charge.

Vehicles that were recalled in early 2022 will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under a previous recall.

Letters to owners notifying them of this recall are expected to be mailed March 25, 2024.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 139,730 model year 2016-2018 Focus and model year 2018-2022 EcoSport vehicles.

The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure.

A loss of oil pressure can result in an engine stall and a loss of power braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the oil pump tensioner assembly and oil pump drive belt, free of charge.

Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed February 13, 2024. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S64.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,889,110 model year 2011-2019 Explorers.

The A-pillar trim retention clips may not be properly engaged, allowing the trim to detach.

A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 13, 2024. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 189,814 model year 2022-2024 Mavericks.

If one of the rear turn signals stops working, the vehicle will not adjust the turn signal flash rate frequency to warn the driver that a turn signal is not working correctly.

A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal will not notify other drivers that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the body control module software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in early January 2024.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C41.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 18,527 model year 2022 F-150 pickup trucks.

The parking lights may flicker when the headlights are activated.

Flickering parking lights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the LED driver module software free of charge.

Trucks with high series headlamps that were recalled in 2022 and received an incomplete remedy, or have not yet been repaired, will need to have the new remedy completed.

Letters notifying owners of the recall are expected to be mailed January 14, 2024.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C36.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 5,118 model year 2022-2023 F-150 Lightning pickup trucks.

The SYNC software may fail to activate the electronic stability control (ESC) system at the beginning of each ignition cycle.

Failure of the ESC to reset to active may result in the driver unknowingly operating the vehicle without electronic stability control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C38.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 187,922 model year 2020-2023 Mustangs.

The brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual warning indicator when the brake fluid is low.

Without a low brake fluid warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the body control module software free of charge.

Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 4, 2023. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C35.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 8,523 model year 2023 Edge vehicles.

The front right headlight may be too bright or aimed incorrectly.

A headlight that is too bright or aimed incorrectly may cause a glare to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the right headlight assembly -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Letters to owners notifying them of this issue are expected to be mailed October 9, 2023.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C26.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 169,277 model year 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviators, model year 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigators, model year 2022-2023 Ford Transits, and model year 2021 Ford Broncos.

The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera -- if equipped -- may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2023.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 38,695 model year 2023 Escapes and Super Duty F-250, Super Duty F-350, Super Duty F-450, and Super Duty F-550 pickup trucks with a digital instrument panel cluster.

The module may have been improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating.

An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Notification letters to owners are expected to be mailed August 14, 2023.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C25.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 112,225 model year 2014-2016 Transit Connects.

The front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching.

An unlatched door can open while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the front door latches -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Notification letters are expected to be mailed to owners August 28, 2023.

Owners may contact Ford customer service (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S36.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales have increased in the last couple of years but EVs still make up a small fraction of cars and trucks on the road. 

That disappoints automakers, as well as government policymakers who are pushing to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles. At government prodding, automakers have staked their financial futures on consumers embracing EVs.

When it reported second-quarter earnings last week, Ford predicted it would lose $4 billion on its EV division this year, double 2022’s losses. With that sober economic reality staring it in the face, Ford is slashing the number of EVs that will roll off its assembly line. 

The company has lowered its sights from producing 600,000 EVs by the end of this year to turning out that number by the end of next year.

‘Too expensive'

The problem, says Ford CEO  John Lawler, is not just competition from Tesla and other automakers. Lawler says EVs are “too expensive” for most car buyers. 

To underscore that point, Ford recently slashed the price of its top-trim version of the F-150 Lightning by nearly $10,000. In the used market, iSeeCars.com reported that used EV prices are "collapsing," falling nearly 30% in June.

According to a popular EV blog, the average cost of an EV in the U.S. is in the neighborhood of $64,000. At the low end is Chevy Bolt, at $27,495. Earlier this year GM announced it would eliminate the model – perhaps because of small profit margins – but recently gave the model a reprieve.

The most expensive Tesla model will set you back by more than $107,000. That compares to $48,000 for the average new car of any kind.

The price could be even higher

After doing a deeper dive into the number, FindMyElectric.com puts the average price of EVs in the U.S. at around $76,000. While some consumers can afford that, many more can’t. 

If only a portion of the population can afford an electric car it could make it politically unpopular to phase out the internal combustion engine. And expensive.

The Energy Information Administration, a federal agency, reports EVs made up 14% of U.S. car sales in 2022. You could speculate that the people who bought EVs are fairly affluent.

Ford seems to be saying it’s concerned about the people who aren’t.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 870,701 model year 2021-2023 F-150 pickup trucks with a single exhaust system.

Contact with the rear axle housing may damage the wiring harness, causing the electric parking brake to activate unexpectedly.

Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will install a protective tie strap, tape wrap, and replace the harness -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 11, 2023.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S35.

Consumers who have waited to buy Ford’s all-electric F-150 pickup truck are being rewarded. The automaker has slashed the price of the base model by nearly $10,000.

Ford says it is able to sell the truck for less because it has increased its plant capacity and continues to work on scaling production and costs. It says it has also lowered the costs of battery raw materials and is passing the savings on to its customers.

“Shortly after launching the F-150 Lightning, rapidly rising material costs, supply constraints and other factors drove up the cost of the EV truck for Ford and our customers,” said Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer, Ford Model e. “We’ve continued to work in the background to improve accessibility and affordability to help to lower prices for our customers and shorten the wait times for their new F-150 Lightning.”

But the price cut comes at a time when new car sales have begun to stall. In particular, electric vehicles (EV) may be vulnerable. In the used car market, EV prices have “collapsed,” according to a recent study by iSeeCars.com.

In June, used EV prices dropped 29.5% from a year earlier, after falling 28.9% in May. Prices were down 24% in April and nearly 17% in March.

“A year ago, used EV prices were on the upswing, rising faster than the average used car,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “Electric vehicle prices are now falling at nearly 10 times the rate of the average used vehicle, reflecting a clear shift in EV supply and demand.”

Competition is increasing

But Ford may be reacting to competition as well as supply and demand. Tesla also recently announced some steep price cuts, a move attributed to a strategy to increase market share.

With the $9,979 price adjustment, the F-150 Lightning Pro has a sticker price of $49,995. The top trim level Platnum Extended Range now costs $91,995 – around $6,000 less than before.

With the lower price, Ford obviously expects to sell more of the electric trucks. It announced that its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan is temporarily closed to complete final plant upgrades to triple the plant’s annual run rate to a targeted 150,000 F-150 Lightning trucks beginning this fall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies consumer complaints as part of its process of asking an automaker to issue a recall. It can be a lengthy process.

ConsumerAffairs studied NHTSA’s database for recent complaints that NHTSA is now examining. In June we found a lot of problems, across multiple manufacturers, with brakes.

Subaru Outback Brake Failure Due to Corroded Junction Box

Multiple complaints have been reported regarding brake failure in various Subaru Outback models due to corrosion in the rear junction box near the fuel tank. This issue has led to brakes giving out without warning, posing a significant safety concern. Although Subaru has issued a recall for this issue in model years 2005 to 2009, the problem persists in later models as well. 

Lexus NX 2016 and 2022 Models Experience Brake Failures

Multiple complaints have been filed regarding brake failures in Lexus NX models from 2016 and 2022. Drivers report that their brakes stop working, feel loose, and require excessive force to slow down the vehicle. This issue poses a significant safety concern as it affects the driver's ability to control the vehicle and prevent collisions. Lexus has not yet issued a recall for the affected models.

2010 Mercury Milan Power Brake Failure Reported

Multiple complaints have been filed regarding the 2010 Mercury Milan, with the most common safety defect being power brake failure. This issue causes the brake pedal to go to the floor, and the vehicle to roll forward and backward while in park. Additionally, ABS warning, trac system warning, and brake service warning lights are illuminated. Other reported issues include fuel propulsion system, suspension, and steering problems in the 2010 Mercury Mariner, but the power brake failure in the Milan poses a greater safety concern.

Brake Issues Plague 2013-2014 Lincoln MKX Models

Multiple complaints have been reported regarding brake issues in 2013-2014 Lincoln MKX models. Drivers have experienced a lack of resistance on the brake pedal, resulting in slow braking and difficulty stopping quickly. In one case, the master cylinder for the brakes failed twice within a short period. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received at least two complaints related to this issue. 

2013 Ducati Monster Faces Braking Safety Concerns

A common safety defect reported among at least five complaints is related to the 2013 Ducati Motercycle. The issue involves inconsistent braking, extended stopping distance, and an unexpected soft rear brake pedal when applying the brakes. This defect poses a significant safety concern for riders, as it may lead to accidents and injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned the ID 11527630 to this specific issue. 

Fuel leaks, power loss, fire hazard and exploding sunroofs

2007 Pontiac G5 Fuel Leak Poses Safety Concern

A common safety defect reported among at least five complaints is a fuel leak in the 2007 Pontiac G5. The issue appears to be on top of the fuel tank, causing a smell of gas both inside and outside of the vehicle. This defect poses a significant safety concern due to the risk of fire or explosion.

2022 Chrysler Pacifica Minivans Experience Dangerous Power Loss

Multiple complaints have been reported regarding the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica minivans experiencing dangerous power loss while driving, putting drivers and passengers at risk. The issue seems to be related to the vehicle's electrical system and engine, causing the vehicle to stall or lose power unexpectedly. In some cases, drivers had to reboot the 12v system to regain control of the vehicle. This defect has led to near-collisions and poses a significant safety concern. Chrysler has yet to issue a recall for this problem.

Ford Vehicles Experience Sudden Loss of Power Steering

Multiple Ford vehicles have reported a sudden loss of power steering, posing a significant safety concern for drivers. The issue has occurred in various models and years, including the 2013 Ford Escape and 2010 Ford Fusion. Drivers have experienced difficulty controlling their vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents. Despite numerous complaints, Ford has not issued a recall to address the problem. 

2017 Porsche Macan Fuel Injector Connection Poses Fire Hazard

A common safety defect has been reported in at least five complaints regarding the 2017 Porsche Macan. The issue involves the fuel injector connection at the fuel rail, which has been found to spray fuel onto the engine, creating a significant fire hazard. This defect poses a serious safety concern for drivers and passengers of the affected vehicles. It is crucial for owners of the 2017 Porsche Macan to be aware of this issue and take necessary precautions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is likely to investigate and address this safety defect. 

Sunroof Explosions Reported in 2013 Kia Optima and Soul Models

Several complaints have been filed regarding sunroofs exploding in 2013 Kia Optima and Soul models. Drivers reported hearing a loud noise similar to a gunshot while driving, followed by the sunroof shattering. The sunroofs were less than two years old and showed no prior signs of damage or wear. This safety issue poses a risk to drivers and passengers, as well as other vehicles on the road. 

If you have an issue with one of these vehicles or any other one, NHTSA would like to hear from you. Report the problem here.

Ford recalls a lot of cars and trucks. In late May the automaker recalled 175,000 Broncos to address a seatbelt issue. Earlier this month it recalled 422,000 Explorers and Aviators to repair a problem with the rearview camera display.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now opened an investigation into one of Ford’s previous recalls to determine whether the remedy was adequate. That recall, issued in March and April 2022, covered 710,000 Explorer SUVs and was meant to address reports of power loss.

According to NHTSA, the problem involved a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. The safety regulator is investigating to make sure the remedy Ford devised fixed the problem.

At the time, Ford said its remedy was focused on preventing so-called “roll-aways.” The remedy was designed to prevent vehicles from moving when left in “park” without the parking brake applied.

The issue popped up on NHTSA’s radar screen after the agency said it received two reports claiming a loss of power on the rear wheels in Explorer models that had undergone the remedy.

Did the remedy work?

According to NHTSA, Ford’s remedy involved updating the software that automatically applies the “electronic service parking brake” to keep the vehicle stationary. The agency said the automaker did not provide a remedy to address the failed rear axle horizontal mounting bolt "which is the basis of this safety issue and the cause of the impaired vehicle." 

"We are working with NHTSA to support their investigation as we always do," Ford said in a statement.

As ConsumerAffairs reported  last September, Ford was leading all other automakers at the time in the number of recalls in 2022 with 7.5 million. By way of comparison, GM only had 2 million at the time.

You may have noticed there are now more cars and trucks on the lots at auto dealerships. There are two reasons for that: supply chains have improved but consumers aren’t rushing out to buy a new car.

A new report from automotive publisher Edmunds might explain why. The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new financed vehicles in the first quarter climbed to 7%, compared to 4.4% in the first quarter of 2022.

Edmunds, which tracks such things, says that’s the highest average interest rate on new cars since the first quarter of 2008. After rising for 14 straight months, the rate stabilized at 7% last month, which Edmunds attributes to more automakers offering low-interest incentives. That’s something carmakers haven’t had to do much since before the pandemic.

Monthly payments hit a new high

With higher interest rates so far this year, monthly car payments are also rising. The average monthly payment for new vehicles hit a record high of $730 in the first quarter, compared to $656 in the first quarter of 2022.

Some car owners are paying a lot more than that. Edmunds reports that 16.8% of consumers who financed a new vehicle in the first three months of 2023 committed to a monthly payment of $1,000 or more — a new all-time high. The average down payment for a new vehicle climbed to a record high of $6,956 in the first quarter, nearly $900 more than a year earlier.

"Since inventory levels are improving, interest rates are now topping the list of the greatest obstacles that automakers will be facing in 2023 to move metal," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' executive director of insights. "But with major challenges come great opportunities.”

For example, Caldwell thinks manufacturers and dealers will have to offer buyers more special incentives on interest rates – something consumers should look for.

Tapping into pent-up demand

“This could be a powerful marketing tool that would enable sellers to tap into the significant pent-up demand that has been building over the past few years and convert that demand into actual sales," she said.

But at the same time, new car prices are still rising. The average price of a new vehicle rose 0.4% in March while used car prices continued to fall. Rising prices and still-high interest rates are prompting many new car buyers to extend the term of their loans.

According to Edmunds, two-thirds of buyers in the first quarter took out loans with terms of between 67 and 84 months.

Ford generated some automotive world excitement when it brought back the Ford Bronco as a rugged SUV for the 2021 model year. But for some owners that excitement quickly turned to angst.

Earlier this year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into complaints from some Bronco owners that their vehicles experienced “catastrophic engine failure” after as few as 2,000 miles.

In July, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) reported it had received 26 complaints about Bronco engine failures. According to ConsumerAffairs researchers, at least 47 2.7L engine failures have been reported on one forum, Bronco6g.com. An estimated 25,538 2021 Broncos are equipped with 2.7L engines.

“Under normal driving conditions without warning the vehicle may experience a loss of motive power without restart due to catastrophic engine failure related to an alleged faulty valve within 2.7 L Eco-Boost Engines,” ODI said in a report.

Ford’s 2.7L EcoBoost engine is also used in the best-selling F-150 pickups, though the issues appear to primarily be affecting Ford Broncos. Complaints have come from owners of both the 2021 and 2022 Bronco models. 

What’s causing the failures?

So what’s causing the engines to fail? Karl Brauer, executive analyst at automotive site iSeeCars.com, says there are reports of the valves dropping into the combustion chamber, causing all sorts of internal damage.

“The big question is, how widespread is it, and can Ford identify the models with the problem or will they have to recall every single vehicle with that engine?” Brauer told ConsumerAffairs. “So right now we don’t know if it’s a huge problem or a minor one, but it could go either way.”

Grant Feek, CEO of automotive marketplace Tred, agrees that the engine’s valves may be the culprit.

“Speculation from owners seems to focus on the theory that valves are becoming brittle when exposed to heat, leading to their eventual failure,” Feek told ConsumerAffairs. “This could be the result of an engineering defect, or maybe inferior materials that can’t withstand engine temperatures.”

Feek says his review of online forums suggests that around 70 Broncos have suffered this fate.

Close call

There have been no injuries related to the engine failures but according to some complaints registered with NHTSA, there have been some close calls.

“My wife was driving the vehicle and was enveloped in smoke and the engine stopped and she was stuck in the middle lane of a busy road in rush hour,” one Bronco owner told NHTSA. “A dangerous section of road a few miles from our house. I drove down and gave her my SUV and then called AAA who towed it to the dealership.”

Ford has acknowledged that a “select number of engines” are failing and that the company is investigating a potential problem. At one point last year someone speculated about the faulty values on the Bronco6G forum but the post has been deleted.

Autoweek recently reported on the issue, adding more fuel to the faulty valve theory. The report suggested the root cause of the problem appears to be that the valve keepers, which lock the valve spring retainer to the valve, are failing.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 64,974 model year 2022 Mavericks.

The side-curtain airbags may not deploy properly, which increases the risk of an injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the left and right side-curtain airbag modules with a new design for free.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on September 22, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C20.

Ford has announced that it will start taking orders again on its electric pickup truck, the Lightning F-150, this Thursday. But for consumers who have waited for the vehicle to become available again, they’ll be paying a pretty penny – up to $96,874 for the Platinum Extended Range edition. That's up to $8,500 more than they would have paid when the vehicle was originally released.

When the truck first hit the streets in May 2021, the “Pro” base model had an MSRP of $40,000. Now, its sticker price is $46,974. There are several layers of bells and whistles a buyer can get their truck decked out with, including everything from police-grade heavy-duty cloth front seats to an automatic trailer hitch mechanism. The package upgrades run anywhere from $6,000-$13,000.

In announcing the truck’s return, Ford said the higher price points came about due to “significant material cost increases and other factors.” However, it says the truck's standard range battery will improve the driving range from an EPA-estimated 230 miles to 240 miles. 

“Current order holders awaiting delivery are not impacted by these price adjustments,” said Ford official Marin Gjaja. “We’ve announced pricing ahead of re-opening order banks so our reservation holders can make an informed decision around ordering a Lightning.”

Special offers and tax credits

The automaker said consumers who made a reservation for a Lightning truck but elected to extend their reservation because their vehicle specification was unavailable will receive a “private offer for use in upcoming waves.” ConsumerAffairs reached out to Ford for an explanation as to what the “private offer” would entail or cost, but the company did not immediately respond to our request.

Consumers who don’t want to feel the sting of the higher prices on the F-150 should keep in mind that the federal government’s EV tax credit can lower the cost by $7,500. And that credit will now last a decade thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that Congress just passed.

However, those tax credits come with their own set of requirements, such as the vehicle being assembled in North America and a requirement for the “critical minerals” in its battery to be sourced in the U.S. or in a country that the U.S. has a free trade agreement with. 

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,000 model year 2022 Explorers and Lincoln Aviators.

The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated.

Improperly heat-treated engine rails may reduce the vehicle's structural protection in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

In addition, an engine rail may detach and contact the road while the vehicle is moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will perform an engine rail strength test and replace the rails -- as necessary -- free of charge. If the engine rails require replacement, owners will have the option of a vehicle replacement or buyback.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on August 1, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C13.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 30,244 model year 2022 Transit vehicles.

The Instrument Panel Cluster may not properly illuminate telltales, gauges, the speedometer, or tachometer pointers.

Failure to illuminate the cluster display could render safety-related telltales and gauges unreadable, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C11.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 53,103 model year 2021-2022 four-door Broncos.

The passenger-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.

A malfunctioning child safety lock increases the risk of injury to a child occupant.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the passenger-side child safety lock and latch and replace them -- if necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S44.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 100,689 model year 2020-2022 Escapes, model year 2022 Mavericks, and model year 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsairs with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines.

In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources, such as a hot engine or exhaust components. This could cause an engine compartment fire.

What to do

Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke.

Dealers will modify the under-engine shield and active grille shutter free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on August 8, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S47.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 48,924 model year 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-Es.

The high voltage battery main contactors may overheat.

An overheated high voltage battery contactor may cause the vehicle to lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the onboard software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 18, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S41.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 965 model year 2022 Lincoln Navigators.

The headlight control module software may cause the side marker and daytime running lights to fail.

A loss of exterior lighting can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the headlight control module software and recalibrate the headlights free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 11, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service by phone at (866)436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C14.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 66,221 model year 2021 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators.

The vehicles may pose a risk of an under-hood fire, even when the vehicle is parked and turned off.

The automaker has received 21 reports of under-hood fires.

Ford says the cause of these vehicle fires can be traced to a change in manufacturing location by a supplier.

What to do

Ford is advising owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the dealer services their vehicle. However, it has not issued instructions to stop driving the vehicles.

Dealers will first inspect the battery junction box for melting damage. If it finds evidence of damage, it will replace the entire component. The company will then remove the engine fan ground wire from the battery junction box in affected vehicles with an 800-watt cooling fan system, which represents about one-third of the recalled vehicle population

The repair is the same for the remaining affected vehicles with a 700-watt cooling fan system except for the installation of an auxiliary box with a wire jumper.

Parts for this repair are expected to be available starting in early September. Owners may contact Ford customer service by phone at (866) 436-7332 for more information.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 63,294 model year 2022 Broncos and Rangers.

The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach.

A windshield that separates from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 11, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C12.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2,666 model year 2022 F-150 BEVs equipped with 20" or 22" all season tires.

The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended and could fail to warn the driver of low tire pressure.

Low tire pressure can lead to poor vehicle handling and a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The body control module (BCM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on July 11, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C15.

Driverge Vehicle Innovations is recalling 22 model year 2021 Ford Transit 350s.

Exposed copper may cause the Programmable Relay Power Center (PRPC) module to fail and short-circuit.

An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

What to do

Driverge will work with the equipment manufacturer to provide a fused data link harness free of charge.

Owners may contact Driverge customer service at (330) 861-1118 or Intermotive Warranty at (530) 823-1048 ext.103.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 27 model year 2020 Escapes and model year 2021 Lincoln Corsairs with 2.5L hybrid powertrains.

Insufficient welds inside the high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash

What to do

Dealers will replace the high voltage battery free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 5, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S33.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 310,203 model year 2016 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, F-450s and F-550s.

Dust may accumulate in the steering wheel clock spring, causing a disconnection in the electrical connection, resulting in the driver airbag not deploying as intended.

Failure of the driver airbag to deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 5, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S35.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2,925,968 model year 2013-2019 Escape, model year 2013-2018 C-Max, model year 2013-2016 Fusion, model year 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and model year 2015-2018 Edge vehicles.

The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause it to move in an unexpected direction.

Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position.

Either situation increases the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 27, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 25,032 model year 2019-2020 Mustangs with 5.0L engines and manual transmissions.

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may broadcast an unintended faulted signal to the modules controlling the reverse camera, reverse light and driver assist features, which may disable all of these functions.

A rearview camera or reverse light that is disabled reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Disabled driver assist features (traction control, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, cross traffic indicator) may increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the PCM software free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S37.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 5,247 vehicles because their Safety Certification Labels are missing the tire size, rim type, and tire pressure values for both the front and rear axles. This violates the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 110 and 120.

This missing information could lead to an incorrect tire or rim being installed, or incorrect tire pressure being set, on the vehicle. All of these factors increase the risk of a crash. 

The following vehicles and model years are affected by this recall:

• 2022 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and F600 vehicles
• 2023 E-Series vehicles
• 2016 E-Series vehicles
• 2017 F-450 vehicles
• 2019 F-450 vehicles
• 2021 F-350 vehicles
• 2021 Transit vehicles

What to do

Dealers are being advised to replace the Safety Certification Labels on affected vehicles for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on June 27, 2022.

Consumers can contact Ford's customer service by phone at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. Ford's number for this recall is 22C09.

How consumers buy electric vehicles could be in for a big-time evolution if Ford has its wish. In a speech made Thursday at an IBM conference, CEO Jim Farley said his company’s electric vehicles may shift completely away from a showroom and move solely online – and at haggle-free, fixed prices.

Farley sees Ford moving away from showroom-laden inventories where consumers can browse for vehicles and kick the tires. The only purpose a dealership would serve in his future vision is being the pickup point for people who bought a vehicle online and as a place to go for repairs.

The world may be watching gas prices, but EVs are already showing up in Ford’s progress reports. In May, the automaker said its battery electric vehicle sales totaled 6,254 for the month, up 222% over last year and growing almost 4 times faster than the overall U.S. electric vehicle segment. The Mustang Mach-E was the hottest seller, with sales up 166% percent over last May. 

Separating EVs from gas-powered

Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to spin electric vehicle production into its own auto division so that it could focus on electric vehicle growth while maintaining strength with its gas-powered vehicles. 

One of Ford’s emphasis points in the EV market is the battery that drives its cars and trucks. It recently announced plans to build a massive battery factory in rural Kentucky. If you count patents as an indicator of progress, Ford and Toyota were last seen leading all of their automaking peers. An example of that is a patent that Ford filed for a removable, range-extending generator that sits in the bed of a pickup, sort of like a toolbox would.

FordAuthority says the proposed product has everything a vehicle needs – an engine, fuel tank, exhaust system, and electronics – all in one package. It also has a unique feature that would allow a vehicle to be moved autonomously by using a “Following Mode.”

Ford Motor Company is recalling 22 model year 2022 Mustangs with an Image Processing Module A (IPMA) or forward-facing camera.

The camera is misaligned to the vehicle and not functioning as intended.

A front-facing camera that is not functioning properly may restrict or disable certain features including Pre-Collision Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert, and Auto High Beam Control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will realign the front-facing camera free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 30, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S34.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 464 model 2021 Mustang Mach-Es with all-wheel drive.

The powertrain control module (PCM) functional safety software may fail to detect a software error, resulting in unintended acceleration, unintended deceleration, or a loss of drive power.

Any of these conditions increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

The PCM software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 30, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (800) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S29.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 39,013 model year 2021 Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators.

An engine compartment fire may occur while the vehicle is being driven or parked, even when the ignition is in the "Off" position.

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

What to do

A remedy for this issue is still under development. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until a remedy becomes available and is performed.

Letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed on May 23, 2022. A second letter will be mailed once the remedy is available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S36.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 23,165 model year 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks with 6.7L diesel engines.

A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.

Debris lodged within the 'Park' mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding 'Park,' increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 30, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S22.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 21,904 model year 2019 F-150, Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks.

Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image.

A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind them, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the rearview camera free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 16, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 933 model year 2022 Lincoln Aviators.

The front-row driver and passenger seat power head restraint cushion may detach from the head restraint assembly when adjusted to the full forward position.

A detached head restraint cushion can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the front-row passenger and driver head restraints free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 9, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S23.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 96,015 model year 2015 Escapes equipped with 2.0L engines.

The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear and cause it to move in an unexpected direction. The vehicle may also roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Both incidents increase the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the under hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 9, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S25.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 19,175 model year 2022 F-150 pickup trucks.

The power-adjustable telescoping steering column connector wiring may be too short and become damaged or separated if the adjustable steering column is extended all the way.

Damaged or separated wiring may result in the steering column not moving as intended in certain crash conditions, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the steering column wiring harness and repair the wiring -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 9, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S24.

Motor Company is recalling 652,996 model year 2020-2021 F-150s & Expeditions, model year 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, F-450s & F-550s, and model year 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigators.

The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 23, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 47,084 model year 2021 F-150 pickup trucks.

The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 2, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S15.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 119 model year 2022 Transit vehicles.

The rearview camera supplied in the Rear Video Camera and Prep Kit will not function when installed by the final stage manufacturer (upfitter), resulting in a blank rearview image.

A camera that does not display a rearview image while in reverse can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the audio control module configuration settings free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S18.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 305 model year 2022 Transit vehicles.

The image processing module for the 360-degree camera system may not process the image from the rearview camera under certain rear-loading vehicle conditions.

Loss of the rearview camera image while reversing can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the Image Processing Module B (IPMB) software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S16.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 39,720 model year 2016 and 2020 Transit Connect vehicles.

The windshield may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion to the vehicle body structure.

This could cause the windshield to detach from the vehicle in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the windshield and -- if necessary -- remove and reinstall the windshield free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 18, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S20.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 585 model year 2022 Lincoln Aviators with the 3.0L plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The inlet charge port harness bus bar may become unseated, leading to a loss of drive power.

A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the inlet charge port harness date code label and replace the harness -- if necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 18, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S19.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 345,451 model year 2020-2022 Escape and model year 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles with 1.5L engines.

The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak.

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks and replace the oil separator and seals -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 18, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S21.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 391,836 model year 2021-2022 F-150s, and model year 2022 Mavericks, Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators, F-250s, F-350s, F-450s, and F-550s.

Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.

Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in an extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 18, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S17.

Ford Motor Company is recalling three model year 2022 Lincoln Corsairs and model year 2021-2022 Ford Escapes equipped with a 2.5L Hybrid powertrain.

The high-voltage battery may fail, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S48.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 195,864 model year 2016-2017 Ford Expeditions, Lincoln Navigators, and model year 2016-2018 F-150s with 3.5L Ecoboost engines.

The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort, and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 78,376 model year 2021-2022 Edge vehicles.

A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is in reverse.

A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The rearview camera software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 25, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S14

Ford Motor Company is recalling 157,306 model year 2021 F-150 pickup trucks.

The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 18, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S12.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 18,078 model year 2022 Explorers and Lincoln Aviators.

The fuel filler tube may detach in a crash.

A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

What to do

Dealers will install a fuel vapor line redundant locking clip free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C02.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 44,219 model year 2021-2022 E-350s and E-450s with dual rear wheels.

An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit and replace the power steering lines -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.

The chip shortage plaguing automakers may be getting worse. Ford says it plans to ship some Explorer SUVs without the rear seat temperature controls because of the shortage of computer chips.

Consumers who purchase one of these vehicles will receive an unspecified price break, Ford said.

The company said it’s taking this step as a way to get more of its vehicles onto dealer lots and alleviate the new vehicle shortage that has persisted since mid-2020. The vehicles without rear seat controls will be standard in all other respects, with full temperature controls in the dashboard.

Ford said its only other alternative was to park the unfinished vehicles and wait. That’s what most manufacturers did last year, resulting in 11.3 million fewer new cars and trucks on the market because of the shortage of computer chips.

“There’s no clear path to solving this yet,” Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, told ConsumerAffairs. “If anything, the last two or three weeks suggest it could get worse before it gets better.”

The Ukraine factor

The recent trouble that the automotive industry is facing is being caused by the war in Ukraine. While that country does not produce computer chips, it does supply half of the world’s neon gas, which is used in semiconductor production. Gas production facilities in Ukraine have closed amid the Russian invasion.

With no end to the chip shortage in sight, other automakers could adopt Ford’s model by finishing cars and trucks that lack non-critical functions. Ford previously took that step with its best-selling F-150 pickup.

Last year, Ford gave buyers the option of purchasing an F-150 without a feature called automatic stop-start, which turns off the entire when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. To compensate buyers, the automaker offered a $50 credit.

Previously, General Motors eliminated wireless device charging on some models and some infotainment features that require computer chips.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 247,445 model year 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts.

Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage it and cause it to fracture.

A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power or a loss of vehicle control if it contacts the ground. Unintended movement could also occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of those situations can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft -- as necessary -- and properly attach the underbody insulators free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 327 model year 2021-2022 Mustangs.

An insufficient weld on the front passenger knee airbag may result in an improper airbag deployment.

An improper airbag deployment can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the front passenger knee airbag free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S07.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 155 model year 2021 Escape Hybrids.

The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were expected to be mailed on March 2, 2022. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 330,784 model year 2015-2017 Mustangs.

The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.

A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and repair the decklid wiring harness and/or replace the rearview camera -- as necessary -- free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed on March 7, 2022. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S06.

Ford Motor Company says it’s reorganizing its operations by splitting its gas-powered vehicles and its electric vehicles into two different divisions – a move intended to strengthen operations and take full advantage of the accelerating growth of the EV market.

While this may sound like a striking change for the 117-year-old company, it’s actually not. “This isn’t the first time Ford has reimagined the future and taken our own path,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford, echoing similar changes Henry Ford made when his company began focusing on its Model T.

“We have an extraordinary opportunity to lead this thrilling new era of connected and electric vehicles, give our customers the very best of Ford, and help make a real difference for the health of the planet.”

The possible changes Ford customers will see

The two new businesses will be called Ford Blue and Ford Model e. The company said the idea for the Ford Model e division came from the smaller, mission-driven teams that developed the Ford GT, Mustang Mach-E SUV, and F-150 Lightning pickup. Company officials said having smaller, more nimble teams will enable Ford to incubate ideas quickly and develop them faster. 

Electric vehicle customers will also see a different Ford when they go to purchase a Model e product. The company didn’t pull the curtain back all the way on its planned changes, but it did say Ford Model e buyers will have an “exciting new shopping, buying and ownership experience.” It also hinted that showrooms may become a thing of the past for the electric vehicle crowd, saying that “simple, intuitive e-commerce platforms” will be the standard purchasing method going forward. 

As for Ford Blue, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said having the company's F-Series, Ranger and Maverick trucks, Bronco and Explorer SUVs, and Mustang cars in a separate division will allow the company to focus on consumers who prefer branded vehicles and experiences like off-roading and family activities – a niche where internal combustion-driven vehicles thrive.

Ford Blue will also purportedly be able to use the electric division’s breakthroughs by building in new, connected, personalized, and always-on experiences that Ford Model e develops.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 19,697 model year 2021 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, F-450s, F-550s, F-600s, and Medium Duty F-650s and F-750s with 6.7L diesel engines.

A small void may be present in the top-center of the pickup truck's underhood secondary fuel filter cap. That void may progress to a pinhole over time, allowing fuel to leak from the top of the secondary fuel filter.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the primary and secondary fuel filters free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on February 21, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S01.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 199,085 model year 2014-2015 Fusions, Lincoln MKZs, and model year 2015 Mustangs originally sold or ever registered in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Hawaii.

Exposure to certain environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, high humidity, and salt air can cause the brake pedal bumper to corrode and separate from the brake pedal.

A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.

On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to roll away and increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the brake pedal bumpers and clutch pedal bumpers free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 3, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S02.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 93 model year 2021 Mustangs.

The side curtain airbag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper inflation.

An airbag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the side curtain airbags free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on February 1, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C37.

Used cars have gotten historically expensive. There are plenty of stories about people selling their late-model used cars for more money than they paid for them new.

That’s great if you have a car to trade in but not so good if you must purchase a car or truck and can’t put it off until supplies increase and prices fall. To help navigate the used car buying process, iSeeCars, an online automotive marketplace, analyzed over 12 million cars and narrowed down the “best used cars for the money” across all vehicle types.

The company also determined the best cars at various pricing levels -- such as under $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, and $25,000 -- to help consumers find the best used cars within their budget.

Older, with more miles

When looking at the cars on these lists, one thing stands out. On the list of used cars you can purchase for $15,000 or less, nearly all are 2013 models. Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, says that’s older than you might have considered in the past.

“Compared to a year or two ago, the age or the mileage of the vehicle you are going to get at the previous price points are going to be older and higher in terms of age and mileage,” Brauer told ConsumerAffairs.

Many older used cars will have a lot of miles on them, but Brauer says there is some good news for used car shoppers. Some of these older vehicles still pack a lot of value.

“Cars keep getting more durable and reliable,” he said. “A car with 90,000 miles from the last five years is probably about as reliable as a 50,000-mile car from 2000 to 2010.”

Vehicles made the various lists based on three primary factors: value retention, durability, and safety. Only one car – the 2013 Kia Soul – makes the list of cars available for under $10,000.

Toyota, Subaru, and Honda

When the price point is raised to $15,000, there are a lot more choices. Three Toyotas, three Subarus, and two Honda models make the list – three brands with a reputation for quality. In fact, Toyota is well-represented on the other lists of cars available at different price points.

“Not surprisingly, when value retention and durability are major factors, Toyota and its Lexus division are going to do rather well,” Brauer said.

Despite these brands’ reputation for quality, Brauer said it is reasonable for anyone buying an older vehicle to have it inspected by an independent mechanic. While that might not be possible before the sale, there may be opportunities after the papers have been signed if you choose the right dealer.

“Take Carvana, a digital online retailer, you can’t get near the vehicle until after you purchase it,” Brauer said. “But it allows a seven-day period in which you can return the vehicle for a refund.”

He says consumers purchasing an older, higher-mileage used car should buy from a dealer that gives you time – even seven days – to drive the car to make sure you like it. He says buyers should also take advantage of that time to get a mechanic to look it over.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 184,698 model year 2021-2022 F-150s.

Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.

A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged.

Any of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft -- as necessary -- and properly attach the underbody insulators free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 31, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S56.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2,622 model year 2021-2022 Mustang Mach-Es and model year 2022 Mavericks.

The rear seat belt buckles may not be properly attached to the rear floor assembly.

Improperly attached seat belts may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will repair the rear seat belt buckle attachments free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C36.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 311 model year 2014 Transit Connect vehicles with a Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista roof.

An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which may result in the panel separating from the vehicle.

Panoramic roof panel separation that happens while the vehicle is in motion can increase the risk of an injury or crash.

What to do

Dealers will remove, clean, and reinstall the panoramic roof panel free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S35.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 839 model year 2021 Rangers and Broncos.

The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.

A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active.

In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event.

Any of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on February 7, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 57,591 model year 2018 F-150s with manual and power release tailgates.

The tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven.

An unexpected tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 31, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S53.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 114,996 model year 2021-2022 Bronco Sports and Escapes.

The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance.

The driver may have to apply more brake pedal force in certain situations, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The remedy is currently under development.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 10, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C31.

Ford Motor Company is recalling five model year 2022 Super Duty F-250s and F-350s.

The strength of the driver-side air bag cover may be insufficient and may break apart in a crash, projecting fragments towards occupants and increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 17, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S49.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 4,548 model year 2020 Transit vehicles with All Wheel Drive (AWD).

The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in the separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.

Driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power or unintended movement while the vehicle is parked if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts. If any loose bolts are found, the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit, and seal will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 31, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S54.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 5,456 model year 2022 Mavericks.

The fuel tank may have been damaged by drill holes during the installation of the spray-in bed-liner.

A damaged fuel tank may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 28, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C35.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 20 model year 2021 Explorers and Lincoln Aviators.

Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.

A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module and replace any incorrect parts -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S47.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 777 model year 2022 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, and model year 2021 F-150s, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators.

The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact airbags to not deploy properly in a crash.

An airbag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,036 model year 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles.

The moonroof glass may not have been bonded correctly to the moonroof frame, which could result in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.

A detached glass panel can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the moonroof glass date code and replace the glass -- if necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 29, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S46.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 37,625 model year 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab trucks with rear seats containing fixed head restraints.

The fixed head restraints may interfere with the proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors.

An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 15, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 553 model year 2021 Broncos. During passenger airbag deployment, an air bag vent could open prematurely and result in an improper deployment.

Improper air bag deployment increases the risk of an injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the passenger airbag free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 15, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C23.

Ford is recalling 47,683 of its 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles because they may have come installed with a misrouted seat belt. This put them in violation of two Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 

A filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that a misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain a driver or passenger in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury. 

What to do

Ford said it will provide owners with instructions so they can perform a preliminary inspection of their vehicle’s seatbelt to determine if they are misrouted. Those who find an issue, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform the inspection themselves are advised to visit a Ford dealership to address the problem.

At that point, dealers will inspect and replace the seat belts as necessary at no cost. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 15. Consumers can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 228,297 model year 2020-2021 Explorers, and Lincoln Corsairs & Aviators with 360-degree cameras.

The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 126,033 model year 2011-2013 Explorers that were originally sold, or are currently registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The vehicles may be equipped with a cross-axis ball joint (CABJ) replacement part that could seize and cause a fracture in the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link.

A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect affected vehicles for the presence of a CABJ. If a CABJ of any design is found, the dealer will inspect its tightness and replace the CABJ, knuckle, and/or toe link -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 1, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S43.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 13,544 model year 2021 Mustang Mach-Es.

The panoramic roof glass panel may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach.

A roof panel that separates from a vehicle can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will apply additional urethane adhesive to the recalled vehicles free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on October 27, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S42.

Ford put its money where its mouth is on Monday when it came to its commitment to electric vehicles. The company rolled out plans to make its single biggest investment ever towards that end -- one dedicated to building electric vehicle factories. The automaker says it plans to lead America's shift to electric with an $11.4 billion investment that will create 11,000 jobs at sites in Kentucky and Tennessee.

The announcement marks the third time this year that Ford has pushed its electric vehicle plans forward. Earlier this year, it announced plans to produce an electric version of its F-150 truck, produce more electric versions of its Mustang than gas-powered versions in 2021, and produce nothing but electric vehicles in Europe by 2030.

Boosting production and job growth

At Tennessee’s proposed plant -- dubbed Blue Oval City and located in Stanton, Tenn., -- Ford will build next-generation electric F-Series pickups and advanced batteries. A sister site -- BlueOvalSK Battery Park -- will be built in Glendale, Ken., and will consist of twin battery plants that will power a new lineup of Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. 

The Kentucky plant is a joint venture with SK Innovation, a South Korean conglomerate. The two battery plants are set to begin production in 2025, with the second one in Kentucky coming online in 2026, according to Ford North America Chief Operating Officer Lisa Drake.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that the planned battery park is the largest individual project and the biggest job-creation announcement in Kentucky's history. "At nearly $6 billion, it is three times larger than any economic development investment that we have ever seen," he said Monday.

Beshear also predicted that with construction work and downstream production, there will likely be more than the estimated 11,000 jobs Ford predicts for line workers. Many of those jobs are future-thinking positions that the White House, Amazon, and others are investing in. 

"These are really jobs of the future that frankly, you know, Kentuckians probably didn't have access to before, but now they do," Drake said.

Consumers are split over electric vehicles

Given America’s love for gas-powered vehicles, conventional thinking might propose that moving U.S. consumers to electric vehicles will take some convincing. However, a recent Pew Research Center report found that 47% of U.S. adults actually support phasing out the production of gasoline-powered cars and trucks, versus the 51% who oppose it. 

While they point out that the actual execution of electric vehicles leaves a lot to be desired right now, one ConsumerAffairs reader believes that Ford has the right idea.

“In principle, the [Mustang] Mach-E is an awesome car. It drives like the luxury car it’s advertised to be and you can tell Ford is generally headed in the right direction,” wrote Chris from Boulder, Colo.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 17,692 model year 2021 Mustang Mach-E vehicles.

The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach.

A windshield that separates from a vehicle in a crash can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 27, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C22.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 592 model year 2021 Explorers and Lincoln Aviators.

The side airbag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side airbag, resulting in an improper deployment.

Improper deployment of a side airbag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the side air bag assemblies free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C19.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 24 model year 2015-2020 Transit vehicles.

An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.

Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 13,334 model year 2021 Escapes & Lincoln Corsairs, and model year 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles.

The fuel delivery module may leak inside the fuel tank, causing low fuel pressure which could result in an engine stall.

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 4, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S38.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 42,493 model year 2021-2022 Transit and model year 2021 Transit Connect vehicles.

The front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt assembly, and replace the assembly -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 13, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C18.

Ford announced Thursday that it will replace every “molded-in color” hardtop roof for 2021 Bronco vehicles. The automaker said the existing hardtops aren’t up to its standards cosmetically, however the problems don’t affect their safety or functionality. 

Owners currently in possession of their Bronco will receive new roofs later this year. These owners will receive a letter from Ford in the coming weeks with details on how the company will install the new roof. Consumers still awaiting delivery of their SUV will have to wait a little longer for it to arrive. Alternatively, they can choose to switch to a soft-top model instead. 

Ford said every hardtop model built to date is affected by the quality problem. It will start replacing hardtop roofs as early as October. 

Production delays 

In a letter to customers, Ford stated that replacing all the existing roofs will delay the production of any new hardtop two- or four-door Broncos. Customers with a scheduled production date will have to wait until October to get an update on the timeline. 

Customers who ordered the First Edition model will receive a 2022 model instead of a 2021 model. Ford plans to start production of the 2022 Bronco in late December. 

The automaker said it’s "disappointed in the inconvenience." In appreciation of customers’ patience, the company said it will offer new options and colors while keeping the pricing the same. It will also send customers exclusive Bronco merchandise and other offers.

Ford is facing an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that’s focused on the timing of its rearview camera system recall, Automotive News reports.

The agency is reportedly looking into whether Ford acted swiftly enough when it recalled nearly 700,000 vehicles last year to fix faulty rearview cameras. The agency is also investigating whether the recall was far-reaching enough. 

Ford initiated the recall last September, saying the backup camera displays can show a blank or distorted image. The models covered in the recall included the Edge, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Mustang, Ranger, and Transit vans.

But according to documents posted on the NHTSA’s website, Ford was aware of warranty claims regarding the rear camera issue as early as February 2020. The problem was passed on to an internal safety committee at Ford on May 12, 2020, but Ford didn’t issue a recall until September. 

Now, NHTSA officials say they’re focused on finding out whether the recall was initiated quickly enough and whether it was sufficient in terms of scope. It’s also planning to look into Ford’s internal reporting policies to ensure that they’re in line with NHTSA standards. 

Ford said Friday that it is cooperating with investigators, but the automaker could face fines if the NHTSA determines that they are warranted. 

Ford Motor Company is recalling 51 model year 2021 F-150 trucks.

The electronic brake booster may leak brake fluid into the electronic control unit, which could result in reduced braking performance.

Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster assembly, free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S33.

Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 40,995model year 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviators with 3.0-liter gas engines.

The battery cable wire harnesses is not secured properly, allowing contact with the A/C compressor pulley.

Over time, the A/C pulley may rub through the wire harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive (B+) circuit, resulting in a short circuit and potential fire.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and if there is no evidence that the battery cable has contacted the A/C compressor pulley, they will add a tie strap near the frame rail between the battery cable harness and the engine compartment harness.

If any of the small gauge circuits are damaged, dealers will add a tie strap near the frame rail between battery cable and engine compartment harnesses and replace the A/C compressor belt.

If any of the four large gauge circuits are damaged, dealers will inspect the wire harness and replace the battery cable harness and will also add a tie strap near frame rail between battery cable harness and engine compartment harnesses and replace the A/C compressor belt.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S34.

Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 774,696 model year 2013-2017 Explorers.

The vehicles may experience a seized cross-axis ball joint that may cause a fractured rear suspension toe link.

These vehicles may experience a clunk noise, unusual handling, or a misaligned rear wheel.

Fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recalled vehicles in the U.S., are located in regions with a combination of cold winter weather with relative high humidity and substantial road salt use.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the cross-axis ball joint, replace the cross-axis ball joint/knuckle -- as necessary -- and replace the toe links with a revised design part.

Owner notifications will begin the week of August 23, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S32.

Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 34,939 model year 2020-2021 F-350 Super Duty trucks with a 6.7-liter engine and single rear wheel axle for a rear axle housing spring seat interface weld issue.

The vehicles may experience rear driveline disconnection leading to vibration and/or shaking at highway speeds, and/or shuddering upon acceleration.

A disconnected driveshaft could result in a loss of motive power while the vehicle is being driven or loss of transmission park function if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the rear axle to determine if deformation is present. If the axle is deformed, the axle housing will be replaced. If it is not deformed, the dealer will perform a weld repair on the spring seats.

Owner notifications letters are expected to be mailed the week of August 16, 2021.

Owners may contact customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S31.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 17,616 model year 2021 F-350s, F-450s, F-550s and F-600s with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders.

The front wheel hub extenders may be improperly attached to the front rotor hub assemblies, which could result in separation of the wheels and wheel extenders from the vehicle.

A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge.

Owners should not drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S26.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 4,436 model year 2021 F-150 trucks.

The two-piece driveshafts may have been improperly assembled, which could result in driveshaft separation.

Driveshaft separation may result in a sudden loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the driveshaft, and replace it -- if necessary -- free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S25.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 223 model year 2021 F-150 trucks.

The steering gear may have internal damage, which could result in difficulty steering, or the inability to rotate the steering wheel while driving.

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until the repair is complete. Vehicles will be towed in for service, and dealers will remove and replace the steering gear, free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in June 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S28.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 192,080 model year 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles with 2.5L engines.

The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction.

Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either condition increases the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing and add a protective cap free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 28, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S24.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,796 model year 2021 Super Duty F-350 and F-450 trucks with a fifth wheel left-hand mounting bracket that may be cracked.

A cracked mounting bracket could result in the fifth wheel detaching from the vehicle while towing, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect the mounting bracket, and replace the bracket if necessary free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 21, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S23.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 82 model year 2021 Edge vehicles.

The driver's seat belt retractor pretensioner assembly may not function correctly when activated in a crash.

A seat belt assembly that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor pretensioner assembly free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 14, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C13.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2,503 model year 2019 Transit T150s, T250s and T350s with aluminum alloy wheels.

The wheel mounting surface of the axle flange may be warped and cause the wheel studs to fracture.

Fractured studs may allow the wheel to detach, increasing the risk of crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and -- if necessary -- replace the rear axle shaft assembly axle shaft mounting bolts and rear wheel lug nuts free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 21, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S21.

Ford is scheduled to take the wraps off its latest electric vehicle this evening -- the F150 Lightning. 

For auto enthusiasts, there will be 30 or more ways to watch the unveiling live from Ford headquarters in Detroit at 9:30 pm ET.

According to automotive publisher Edmunds, the F150 is America’s best-selling vehicle and has been for four decades. Ford CEO Jim Farley says producing an EV version of the truck is a game-changer for the company.

“Every so often, a new vehicle comes along that disrupts the status quo and changes the game -- Model T, Mustang, Prius, Model 3. Now comes the F-150 Lightning,” Farley said. “America’s favorite vehicle for nearly half a century is going digital and fully electric.”

In an automotive niche where power is at a premium, the F150 Lightning will try to up the ante. Ford executives have said the EV version will actually be more powerful than the gasoline version, and that’s saying something. The F150 Raptor checks in at 450 horsepower.

Two key facts have yet to be revealed. Ford hasn’t said what kind of range the Lightning will get on a single charge, and it hasn’t revealed a sticker price. But expect it to be north of the cost of a gasoline-powered F150, which goes for between $35,000 and $60,000 depending on model and option packages.

Americans willing to spend more on cars

If recent sales numbers are any indication, buyers might not flinch at a steep sticker price. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) reports consumers spent more for new vehicles last month with the average transaction price (ATP) rising 2.2% year-over-year.

The estimated ATP for a light vehicle in April was $40,768, according to the analysts at KBB. New vehicle prices increased $864 from April 2020, but rose only $92 from March 2021.   

"Comparing the market to this time last year when COVID-19 brought the industry to a halt, highlights an increase in demand, sales, and vehicle prices all have contributed to continually rising transaction prices," said Kayla Reynolds, industry intelligence analyst at Cox Automotive. "Many manufacturers reported year-over-year growth in average transaction prices with Volkswagen Group seeing the largest increase year over year -- up 9% -- while Tesla had the greatest decrease from last year, down 10.3%."

Besides Tesla, only Nissan saw transaction prices fall last month. As it prepares to unveil its EV version of the F150, Ford could use another high-priced vehicle to raise its ATP. Last month, the average price of a Ford vehicle dipped 2% from March but was 5% higher than April 2020.

Ford Motor Company is recalling nearly 621,000 model year 2016-19 Explorers.

The roof rail covers may become detached from the vehicle while it is being driven, and become a road hazard, posing the risk of a crash.

Base and XLT trim levels, as well as Police Interceptor and Sport models with roof rail covers that are painted Silver, Black or Absolute Black are included in the recall.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will secure the roof rails with plastic push pins.

The recall is expected to begin the week of June 28, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is is 21S22.

The computer chip shortage that has existed since early in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has finally created a vehicle shortage. Just ask the Ford Motor Company.

In reporting its first-quarter earnings, Ford showed strong sales but warned that those numbers would fall in the current quarter because it doesn’t have enough chips. As a result, the automaker warned that its vehicle production in the second quarter would be reduced by 50%. Output was down 17% in the first quarter.

“There are more whitewater moments ahead for us that we have to navigate,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said during the company’s earnings call. “The semiconductor shortage and the impact to production will get worse before it gets better.”

That means consumers who want to buy a new Ford car or truck will likely face fewer choices and higher prices. Ford CFO John Lawler said the company expects 1.1 million fewer Fords will roll off the assembly line in 2021.

Ford stated that it has shelved plans to produce additional cars in trucks in some instances. In other cases, the vehicles are mostly complete but are warehoused as they await semiconductors to make them operational.

‘Low inventory warning light’

Cox Automotive reports that the “low-inventory warning light is flashing bright red,” but consumers are still buying what’s available on dealer lots.

"The robust retail sales pace is the story for the industry right now," said Cox Automotive Senior Economist Charlie Chesbrough.

But it may not last. In its sales forecast for April, Cox predicts that auto sales will have dipped slightly from March’s surprise increase. But if other automakers are facing Ford’s challenges, sales could fall in the months ahead. That means consumers searching for bargains aren’t likely to find them.

The chip shortage is the result of extreme caution on the part of the auto industry early in the pandemic. Forecasters predicted that new car sales would plunge, so car companies canceled their chip orders. Instead, the industry adapted to online sales and contactless test drives to keep sales strong, especially among consumers who had relied on ridesharing services before the pandemic and decided they needed personal transportation.

Other automakers have been affected

Ford is not the only automaker whose output is being limited by the chip shortage. Earlier this year, both Ford and General Motors announced production cuts at their factories around the world. GM followed suit in early April with an announcement that it would halt or slow production at facilities in several locations across the country.

For consumers, that may mean driving their current vehicle a while longer. As inventories continue to tighten over the summer, dealers will be less inclined to negotiate. By the end of 2021, when the chip shortage is expected to end, inventories could surge, along with incentives for buyers.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 37,000 model year 2020-21 Lincoln Aviators.

The image processing module may be intermittently unable to provide a video feed to the display screen, resulting in a loss of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is in reverse.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and will update the image processing module software free of charge

The recall is expected to begin May 19, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C09.

Ford has announced the launch of BlueCruise, a hands-free driving technology that will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel on over 100,000 miles of divided highways.

When the technology is ready to roll out, owners of 2021 F-150 pickups and Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs that are equipped with BlueCruise hardware can pay a $600 subscription fee and download the software.

Ford said it expects as many as 100,000 customers to take advantage of the new technology by the end of the year, bringing the automaker a step closer to self-driving capability. It puts the company on par with Cadillac’s SuperCruise system, which has been around for the last four years.

Both Ford and General Motors say their systems are a step above Tesla’s AutoPilot, which the company has repeatedly stressed is not a hands-free system. However, investigations of a number of Tesla accidents over the years have shown that some drivers have used it that way.

‘Mother of all road trips’

Ford said 500,000 miles of development testing and fine-tuning will have gone into the BlueCruise testing by the time it’s ready for distribution to Ford customers later this year. Over the last 12 months, Ford has dispatched a fleet of 10 test vehicles – five F-150 pickups and five all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUVs – to complete what test drivers dubbed the “mother of all road trips.” 

The trip covered more than 110,000 miles through 37 states and five Canadian provinces to put BlueCruise to the test against a wide range of road, weather, and traffic conditions.

“There are highway intricacies and driving conditions that you simply cannot replicate in a lab,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer. “Sending these vehicles out for real-world driving experience is just one of many ways we ensured that BlueCruise technology offers confidence and convenience for drivers all across the continent.”  

Required hardware

To use the system, Ford vehicles must be equipped with Ford Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 Prep Package. The software is updated through an over-the-air internet connection.

Ford executives say the extended road trip was necessary to test the system because every state builds roads a little differently. Factors like lane line degradation, weather, and construction add to the complexity, they said.

Ford said the system uses both advanced camera and radar-sensing technologies and has built upon existing technologies, such as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, and Speed Sign Recognition.

The system will only work on specific four-lane highways in North America that are dedicated Hands-Free Blue Zones in the Ford GPS mapping system. BlueCruise will use blue lighting on the digital instrument cluster to indicate when the vehicle is in a hands-free zone.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 16,128 model year 2020-2021 F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles.

An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear wheel bearing damage and bearing seizure, and rear axle or driveshaft failure.

Failure of the rear axle or driveshaft may cause the loss of motive power, failure of the parking brake, and the inability to shift the transmission into "PARK," increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and -- as necessary -- replace the rear wheel bearings free of charge.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S17.

A global semiconductor chip shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to take a toll on automakers. Both General Motors and Ford have announced they will be shutting down even more of their factories in North America because of supply issues.

GM announced that it is halting production in Spring Hill, Tenn., Delta Township, Mich., and in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, for up to two weeks. Ford will be doing the same in factories located in Flat Rock, Mich., Kansas City, Mo., and Chicago. It will also slow down production in Avon Lake, Ohio.

“We continue to work closely with our supply base to find solutions for our suppliers’ semiconductor requirements and to mitigate impact on GM,” said GM spokesperson David Barnas in a statement given to The Washington Post. “Our intent is to make up as much production lost at these plants as possible.”

Workers displaced by temporary shutdowns

The shutdowns will likely have a big impact on employees, with around 10,000 of GM’s workers being affected. Barnas said affected GM employees will receive around 75% of their normal compensation through supplemental benefits and unemployment. While Ford did not give an estimate for how many workers would be affected, a company spokesperson said they will also receive around 75% of their gross pay during the shutdown period.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first round of shutdowns that Ford and GM employees have had to weather. GM extended plant shutdowns at the beginning of March due to the chip shortage. At the time, the company said it was leveraging “every available semiconductor to build and ship our most popular and in-demand products, including full-size trucks and SUVs for our customers.” 

Ford also made additional cuts to car and truck production at the beginning of April. The automaker reported at the time that its available supply of cars and trucks at dealerships across the U.S. was 21% lower than a year earlier. 

The Ford Motor Company is significantly reducing its output at six North American assembly plants, the result of a persistent shortage of vital computer chips in the supply chain. The move may lead to fewer vehicles heading to dealer lots in the months ahead.

Some facilities will be closed entirely for up to three weeks. Others will operate normally at reduced capacity with little to no overtime. 

The plants targeted for the slowdown are in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Ontario, Canada. These locations produce a wide range of Ford vehicles, from F-150 pickups and vans to the Ford Explorer SUV and Ford Escape crossover.

Shortage caused by the pandemic

The ongoing chip shortage began soon after the start of the pandemic last year. When car sales came to a screeching halt, automakers canceled existing orders for chips, expecting their plants would remain closed for an extended period.

But dealers quickly changed to an online business model and sales rose, leaving automakers without some key parts to produce cars and trucks. Because of the long lead time required to manufacture computer chips, the shortage has dragged on.

Ford temporarily closed production lines at plants in Michigan and Missouri in February. In early March, General Motors announced that it was extending its plant shutdowns.

Cox Automotive reports that the cutback in production has reduced inventories of available new cars, giving consumers fewer choices while reducing dealer incentives. It predicts sales of new cars in the first quarter of this year were nearly 5 percent lower than the same period in 2019.

The company reports that the supply of cars and trucks at dealerships across the country this week is 2.67 million vehicles, down approximately 20,000 units from the prior week and the lowest point since mid-January. Supply is 21 percent lower than this time last year.

“Inventory acquisition is the number one priority for dealers,” said Jonathon Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive, in a presentation to reporters and analysts. 

Car prices continue to rise

With demand still strong and supplies falling, dealers are in the driver’s seat when negotiating with buyers. After peaking in late December, Cox Automotive reports that the average listing price of a new vehicle in March was 7 percent higher than in March 2020.

Rising prices and falling inventories of new cars have also had an effect on used car prices, pushing them higher. Reports show that used car prices increased every week during March.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 49 model year 2020 Lincoln Aviators and Ford Explorers.

The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.

Broken RLCA bolts can result in a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 29, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 16,000 model year 2018-20 F-250s & F-350s, model year 2018 F-150s, and model year 2019 Escapes sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico with with Continental tires.

The tires may have been over-cured and may experience a framework break in the sidewall, with sudden air loss, or a belt edge separation that could lead to a partial or full tread/belt loss.

These conditions may increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect tires and replace those that match the suspect tire list provided by Continental and also replace the corresponding tire on the opposite side of the axle. If a pair of tires is replaced, the new tires will be installed/moved to the rear axle.

The recall is expected to begin the week of March 29, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,258 model year 2021 Mustang Mach-Es.

The front subframe bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, which could result in loose bolts.

Loose subframe bolts may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front subframe bolts and tighten them-- as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 22, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S09.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 2.6 million of the following:

• Model year 2006-2012 Ford Fusion,
• Model year 2007-2010 Ford Edge,
• Model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger,
• Model year 2006-11 Mercury Milan,
• Model year 2006-12 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, and
• Model year 2007-10 Lincoln MKX vehicles.

Takata driver-side front airbag inflators were installed as original equipment and contain a calcium sulfate desiccant.

Takata determined that desiccated propellant in these inflators may degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling, which could cause an inflator to rupture during airbag deployment, resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ford will contact owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side front airbag inflator or airbag module.

Owner notifications will begin the week of April 1, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 144,340 model year 2004-2006 Rangers that may have a driver or passenger front airbag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

In a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator -- if necessary -- free of charge.

The recall was expected to begin March 8, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 79,017 model year 2021 F-150 and model year 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks.

During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

A windshield that separates from the vehicle in a crash can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 6, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 9,979 model year 2020 F-Super Duty F350s with a 6.7L diesel engine, single rear wheels (SRW), 4X4 Crew Cab, Long Box, and a 12k or 12.4k Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

The vehicles may display overstated payload capacity values on the Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) Label, overstated Accessory Reserve Capacity (ARC) values on the Safety Certification Label, and overstated weight values on the Truck Camper Loading Documentation.

If the vehicle is loaded to the payload stated on the TREAD label, it may exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and overload the vehicle.

This could increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire and Loading Information Label, Safety Certification Label, and the Truck Camper Loading Document (if applicable) free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 22, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S06.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 106 model year 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles.

The vehicles may have been produced with incorrect front lower control arms.

An incorrect lower control arm may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a rollover crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front lower control arms -- if necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 5, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S03.

Ford Motor Company is recalling thousands of vehicles that may have had obsolete Takata service parts installed in collision and theft repairs after the Takata recall was completed.

The recall involves two distinct vehicle groups.

The first includes 1,067 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2004-11 Ford Rangers,
• Model year 2005-14 Ford Mustangs,
• Model year 2006 Ford GTs,
• Model year 2008-12 Ford Fusions,
• Model year 2009-11 Mercury Milans,
• Model year 2010-12 Lincoln MKZs,
• Model year 2007-10 Ford Edges and
• Model year 2007-10 Lincoln MKXs.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver or passenger airbag inflator or module and replace if necessary.

The second group includes 153,000 model year 2004-06 Ford Rangers in which obsolete Takata service parts may have been installed for repairs after collision damage or theft.

What to do

Ford is notifying owners that they can visit their dealer for an inspection and -- if necessary -- an airbag inflator replacement.

Notifications will begin the week of March 8.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 1,666 model year 2021 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles sold in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

The vehicles were produced with rear suspension modules that may not be fully secured to the subframe.

Rear suspension modules with loose or missing bolts may affect the vehicle’s stability, increasing risk of an accident, and may result in reduced rear impact crash performance, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will contact owners, and dealers will confirm that the rear suspension bolts are secured properly and replace them if necessary.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S04.

Ford Motor Co. raised another challenge for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers on Wednesday. It announced that every single vehicle that rolls off its European assembly lines would be all-electric by 2030. The company says the move is the most direct route to sustain profitability.

Automakers continue to plan for an all-electric future. Earlier this week, President Biden added a new governmental buy-in to the shift by ordering the federal government’s gas-powered fleet be swapped out for electric vehicles. 

The U.S. government is also attempting to reform an automotive incentive program by offering a $7,000 tax credit to consumers who purchase an EV. The consumer market seems primed for this shift. Recently, automotive publisher Edmunds said electric vehicle sales could double in 2021.

One step at a time

Automakers from around the world have stepped up to the EV challenge. Ford is no different than GM, BMW, VW, Hyundai, or Mercedes-Benz when it comes to giving advance notice -- sometimes by several years -- about its intentions with more sustainable models.

In Europe, Ford will be up against Jaguar/Range Rover -- an automaker it used to own -- that also announced plans to cover the European market with all-electric vehicles by 2030. The X factor is time and efficiency, and Ford realizes that getting to the all-EV future requires taking measured baby steps, not hype and chest-thumping.

The first thing the company did was put its money where its mouth is. In 2020, the company announced that it was investing at least $22 billion globally in electrification over the next four years, nearly doubling the company’s previous EV investment plans.

Multi-year rollout plan

Ford is jump-starting its all-EV initiative with a $1 billion investment in a new electric vehicle manufacturing center in Cologne, Germany. The location is where consumers will see the first of Ford’s labors in 2023 with the “company’s first European-built, volume all-electric passenger vehicle for European customers.”

The next step Ford has planned is for “zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrids.” It hopes to hit that mark by 2024 for commercial vehicles and by mid-2026 for passenger vehicles.

At that point, the company feels confident that it can hit its 2030 all-electric goal for passenger vehicles. However, it left the door slightly open for the complete conversion of commercial vehicle buyers from gas to electric, saying that two-thirds of commercial vehicle sales are “expected” to be all-electric or plug-in hybrids by 2030. 

Moving towards an all-electric future

Becoming king of the hill in the all-EV commercial vehicle market is a key component of Ford’s plans. For six years running, it’s led commercial vehicle sales in Europe and says its commercial vehicle business is key to its European profitability. To achieve that goal, the company has decided it can’t go it alone and says it’s working with a broad network of commercial vehicle converter partners, including Volkswagen and Ford Otosan, a Turkish automaker it co-owns. 

“We successfully restructured Ford of Europe and returned to profitability in the fourth quarter of 2020. Now we are charging into an all-electric future in Europe with expressive new vehicles and a world-class connected customer experience,” said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe. 

“We expect to continue our strong momentum this year in Europe and remain on track to deliver our goal of a six percent EBIT margin as part of Ford’s plan to turnaround our global automotive operations.”

Ford Motor Company is recalling 283 model year 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and Lincoln Aviator vehicles.

The vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid.

A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades.

Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 8, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 147 model year 2020-2021 Edges, model year 2020 Lincoln Nautilus's and Ford Escapes and model year 2021 Lincoln Corsairs and Ford Bronco Sports.

An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.

In the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced free of charge.

The recall was expected to begin February 1, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

Ford has signed a deal with Google to provide the automaker’s in-vehicle connectivity starting in 2023. Under the terms of the six-year deal, Google will provide cloud services and other technical support.

Beginning in 2023, millions of future Ford and Lincoln vehicles at all price points will be powered by Android, with Google apps and services built-in. Ford said it will save the company millions of dollars since it will no longer be handling that in-house.

For Google, analysts say the deal provides the tech giant with a high-profile customer for its cloud services, helping it gain market share from segment leaders AWS and Microsoft.

“As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernize our business,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO.

The partnership will equip Ford and Lincoln vehicles with a number of popular apps, including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. Meanwhile, cloud connectivity may make other services possible. For example, Ford could use the cloud to send drivers messages about scheduled maintenance and even trade-in opportunities.

Ford’s deal follows a similar partnership that General Motors and Google announced in 2019. The two companies are currently working to integrate Google Assistant and other apps into GM vehicles.

Not a hard decision

Farley says the move to replace its in-house technology development with Google was not a hard decision. He points to available research that shows many drivers are already using Google’s apps in the car. The deal will simply make that easier by integrating the services into the vehicle’s hardware.

Ford says voice-activated apps like Google Assistant are especially practical for vehicles and may promote safety. Drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel while performing tasks with just their voice.

With Google Maps as the vehicles’ primary navigation, the company said drivers can reach their destination faster with information on real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, and lane guidance.

The companies say their deal also extends to services outside of vehicles. Google will help Ford employ artificial intelligence in its factories to manage supply chain logistics and vehicle assembly.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 29,344 model year 2021 E-350s and E-450s.

The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.

Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover.

The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with SEIC or BCP, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2021.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S73.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 12 model year 2020 EcoSport and model year 2019-2020 Transit Connect vehicles.

The driver side front airbag modules are missing the first-stage booster propellant and sleeve.

Airbag modules missing the first-stage booster propellant will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the airbag module free of charge.

The recall was expected to begin December 28, 2020.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C26.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 1,470 model year 2020-21 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators

The motor mount fasteners may become loose over time and disconnect from the engine, which could result in loss of power, posing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right-hand motor mount fasteners.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S72.

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 32,000 model year 2021 Ford E-Series vehicles.

The vehicles may contain mispositioned insulation on the underside of the engine cover that does not fully extend to the perimeter as intended.

As a result, heat from the engine compartment can cause elevated temperatures on the passenger compartment surface of the engine cover.

Under certain conditions, engine cover surface temperatures can further increase in vehicles modified with Stationary Elevated Idle Control or Battery Charge Protect.

Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of the surface of the engine cover in the passenger compartment may cause burns to the skin of the driver or front passenger.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If needed, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right and left inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under certain elevated idle conditions.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is  20S73.