Ford recalls nearly 274,000 SUVs due to serious brake failure risk

In the United States, Ford Motor Company announced a recall of nearly 274,000 of its Expedition and Lincoln-branded Navigator SUVs following a significant safety risk related to brake function. The recall was triggered by documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that detailed a potential installation defect whereby the front brake lines could come into contact with the engine air cleaner outlet pipe. This defect poses a risk of brake fluid leakage and may result in a complete loss of brake function, increasing the likelihood of accidents while driving. The affected vehicles include 223,315 Expeditions and 50,474 Navigators from model years 2022-2024. Ford has indicated that they believe only about 1% of the recalled vehicles may have the defect. As of April 17, the company had already received 45 warranty reports related to front brake line leaks. Importantly, the automaker has not reported any accidents or injuries linked to this issue so far. The proactive measure taken by Ford reflects the company's commitment to customer safety and follows established protocols for addressing vehicle-related defects. Dealers for Ford and Lincoln have been instructed to inspect the brake lines of the impacted vehicles and replace any defective components, including the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe as necessary, at no charge to owners. Notifications to dealerships were set to start on Wednesday, with letters to vehicle owners expected to be mailed out between May 26 and May 30 to inform them of the necessary actions regarding their vehicles. In light of this recall, vehicle owners are encouraged to verify whether their specific vehicles are included in the recall using resources available on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website or Ford’s dedicated recall lookup platform. This situation underlines the importance of regular vehicle safety checks and highlights manufacturers' responsibilities to maintain vehicle safety standards. Ford's recall and inspection process will aim to prevent any potential risks to the driving public by addressing these brake line safety defects swiftly and effectively.