2021 Ford Recalls and Safety Alerts

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.