Ford Issues Safety Recalls for Over 300,000 Vans, SUVs

Ford Motor Co. has issued three separate safety recalls on its vehicles, including North American vans and sport utility vehicles. Majority of the vehicles affected by the recall are Transit vans, plus a number of late-model Edge compact SUVs as well as Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full-size SUVs.

Affected by the recall are 293,558 units of vehicles from model years 2015 to 2017 for the Transit vans, all of which are in the United States and federal territories. An additional 25,000 units are also sold in Canada and Mexico.

A flexible coupling in the vans’ driveshaft will be repaired due to risks of cracking with increasing mileage. In the event that a coupling fails, the vans may also experience loss of power or may move if parked and the parking brake is not set.

Ford also said there is a possibility for the driveshaft to separate, which can cause further damage to the brake and fuel lines. Such separation increases the risk of injury or death, but the automaker has clarified it is unaware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem.

This recent recall is the second announced due to the same issue. For owners of Transit vans who have already had their couplings replaced, no additional replacement is necessary if less than 40,000 miles have been driven, Ford said. The company is also awaiting the arrival of replacement mechanical U-joints to replace the flexible coupling.

Meanwhile, the Ford Edge compact recall, which is reportedly caused by the defective pretensioner anchor of the driver’s side seatbelt, covers 500 units of the model’s 2019 version sold in the United States and Canada. Ford said the seatbelt assembly may not be able to adequately restrain occupants in a crash, thereby increasing the risk of injury. As such, the company is eyeing to inspect and have the part replaced, if necessary. Ford claims there are no reports of accidents and injuries related to the issue.

Finally, 18 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs from the 2019 model year are also being recalled to retorque a rear toe-link fastener, which may have been improperly tightened during assembly. An improperly tightened toe-link could become disconnected while the vehicle is in motion and result in possible crash or injury. Dealers are tasked to verify if the toe-link of the affected vehicles is properly tightened and adjust its alignment if need be.