The Ford cars logo is on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show in New York City March 29, 2018. Thursday Ford announced a "high sense of urgency" recall of 39,013 2021 Expedition and Navigator SUV's for under hood fires. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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May 19 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Company said Thursday it is recalling 39,013 Expedition and Navigator SUVs from model year 2021 because they pose a risk of under-hood fires. Sixteen of the vehicles caught fire, resulting in one reported injury.
"Responding to 16 reported incidents, Ford is recalling 39,013 Expedition and Navigator SUVs in the U.S. built between Dec. 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. These vehicles may pose a risk of under hood fire, including while the vehicle is parked and off," Ford said in a statement. "As of Ford's filing with NHTSA, there have been no reported incidents with vehicles built before or after these dates."
Ford said the company is treating the recall "with a high sense of urgency." It is advising these vehicles be parked outside.
Despite the urgency, Ford has not issued any warnings to stop driving the vehicles.
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"We are working around-the-clock to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy so that customers can continue to enjoy using their vehicles" Jeffrey Marentic, general manager, Ford Passenger Vehicles, said in a statement. "We recognize the importance of staying in touch with our customers until we resolve this matter."
Customers owning the recalled vehicles can expect Ford to communicate with them regarding next steps in the recall, according to the company statement.
Fourteen of the fires happened in rental vehicles, two in individual customer-owned vehicles.
Ford began investigating the issue March 24 and has not yet established a cause.
The SUV fires can happen while parked and turned off or when in motion. The fires are believed to originate in the rear of the engine compartments near the passenger side of the vehicles.
Ford is also recalling 310,203 heavy-duty trucks because the driver's side airbag might not inflate in a crash. That recall covers 2016 model F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, dust may collect in the steering wheel clock spring, causing an electrical disconnection causing the airbag failure.
The NHTSA said owners can expect notification letters on the truck airbag recall to be mailed July 5, 2022.
In February Ford recalled 250,000 pickup trucks for loose underbody insulators responsible for at least 40 broken driveshafts. Faulty backup cameras also led to the recall of 330,000 Mustangs in February.
In January nearly 200,000 Ford Fusions, Mustangs and Lincoln MKZ's were recalled over a brake light issue.
