Ford Motor Company is recalling select 2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles over an issue with the driveshaft that could result in unintended vehicle movement, loss of power, fuels leaks and/or fire.
The defect: affected models are equipped with an incorrectly welded driveshaft.
The hazards: if a defective driveshaft fractures along the weld seam, it may lose the mechanical connection between the transfer case and the rear axle, which could cause unintended vehicle movement and/or a loss of motive power. Defective driveshafts may also deform from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of a fuel leak and/or a fire.
Ford Motor Company is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.
Components: driveshaft.
Affected vehicles: 2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles built at the Ford Chicago Assembly plant from August 24th, 2019 to September 30th, 2019.
Number of vehicles affected: 12,298 vehicles (combined figure for Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator), with:
- 10,905 units in the U.S. and federal territories
- 1,291 units in Canada
- 102 units in Mexico
The fix: dealers will inspect the driveshaft label and replace the driveshaft as needed.
Owners should: wait for recall notice to arrive by mail, and contact their local Lincoln dealer with any questions.
Contacts:
- Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332
- FoMoCo Recall Number: 20S65
- NHTSA Toll Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
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Comments
Holy crap FORD!
Cross overs and SUV’s are what you are calling your future? So much for quality is job one.
Can’t even send it without a recall popping up and check engine light
This is the most popular police car. I have visions of fewer FORD police cars in favor of CHRYSLER in the next few years. Not sure what GM is offering as a police car these days.
No the Unions have nothing to do with it. But it seem like ford has a lot of recalls. And no the Unions aren’t at fault! But better control over quality would possibly be the answer. and that’s all I have to say about that…😆
Perhaps yes perhaps no. The customer doesn’t care about FORD’s internal problems. They want their products to work when they need them to work and not have to make a visit to the dealer for repairs and recall work a weekly occasion.
Come on, folk. Be easy on Ford. The automobile industry has only been making drive shafts for 120 years or so, and Ford is still perfecting the process.
Yeah give them another 100+ years then perhaps it’ll be better. I shudder to think how many recalls and P.O.’d people there will be once FORD rolls out more all electric vehicles when they can’t even handle simple drive shafts. The delayed police car deliveries because there were some many problems with this platform. I guess they just missed this issue huh?
A young man I worked with a long, long time ago was SO proud of his first new car. It was a Focus with the Kona trim. He was saddened greatly by the number of times it was back at the dealer for this, that, or the other recall.
Every manufacturer has recalls, including the much-praised Toyota, and the “faultless”, “perfect” German makes. But, Ford seems to not just have a lot of recalls, Ford’s are for things like failed drive shafts, wiring that catches fire (cruise control wiring in SUVs), those toe-bracket-whatevers, with two recalls in a row.
Meanwhile, a Chevy pickup I had was recalled for possibly the wrong door sticker for tire inflation. Mine was the correct sticker. My 2016 Tahoe had none, and an engine mount issue that affected SUVs and trucks with the 5.3 litre engine was repaired with no argument, even though I had it done at a dealer 2300 miles from where I bought it.
My present ride, a Chrysler Pacifica, shows no recalls for my particular VIN.
What’s Ford’s problem?
Builder loyalty is a good thing. However, what good does it do when they don’t build what you want and/ or it’s no good? Like I have said, just forget who builds it. If you like a vehicle, the price and quality is right, just buy it. It’s not your fault if your traditional favorites can’t get things together.
I am old, bordering on “elderly”. We are among that dying breed with brand loyalty, but, I never really had it. I’ve only owned one Ford, and that is from decades ago. A Mercury Comet with the 289 V8 and Cruise-O-Matic. Sturdy, and reliable.
Over the years, my family members have had everything from outstanding warranty service (Lincoln) to outright refusal to honor the warranty on known issues (Ford trucks). The only Ford dealer near me willing to even talk to me has closed their doors.
I buy what suits me, and of that, there is very little. Due to how I am built (bearish, with short limbs and long torso), I just, flat, cannot stand consoles. Virtually every car has them now.
My van suits my daily needs to a “T”, and I fit in it comfortably. After a horrendous experience with a 2018 Honda Odyssey bought new, I now run the above-mentioned Pacifica. I’ve had some mild custom pin-striping done, have the factory black-out trim, and it is “not your mommy’s mini-van”. It has had exactly ONE warranty issue, and flashing the computer cured it completely.
Our family has history with Chrysler, but loyalty was not my reason to buy it. Availability and suitability was. The Honda was a nightmare, or I’d still have it.
I hope the new Bronco’s are without fault when they arrive. They have spent far to long bringing this vehicle to market. Could be their cash cow if they get it right.
The Bronco will be a recall fest based on Ford’s past performance. I wouldn’t touch the first-year Bronco with a 10 foot pole unless you want to be on a first-name basis with the service department. I hope they prove me wrong, but a brand-new vehicle from Ford is just asking for trouble the first few years.