Ford Motor Company is recalling select units of the 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and Lincoln Aviator over an issue with contaminated windshield washer fluid.
The defect: affected models are equipped with contaminated windshield washer fluid that does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The hazards: the affected vehicles could have contaminated washer fluid in their reservoirs, which could damage components that came into contact with the fluid, including exterior bodywork.
Ford Motor Company is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition.
Components: windshield wiper fluid.
Affected vehicles:
- 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant from May 26th, 2020, to May 30th, 2020.
- 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles built at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant from May 28th, 2020, to June 2nd, 2020.
- Both vehicles ride on the same Ford CD6 platform.
Number of vehicles affected: 286 vehicles (combined Explorer and Aviator combined) with:
- 283 vehicles in the U.S.
- 3 in Canada
The fix: dealers will flush out the washer system, replace the windshield washer fluid, washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor, and front and rear wiper blades. Additionally, dealers will inspect and repair paint and exterior components, if needed.
Owners should: wait for recall notice to arrive by mail, and contact their local Ford or Lincoln dealer with any questions.
Contacts:
- Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332
- FoMoCo Reference Number: 21C01
- NHTSA Toll Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
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Comments
They ought to offer a gift certificate for lemons if you already own or buy one of these.
Seemingly not a big deal if it was a one time thing. But those cars have a long history of things in the short time they’ve been building them.
At this point it’s literally the dumbest things that you don’t even expect a recall for because they should’ve done a inspection to the washer fluid before they put it in 1000+ vehicles. I don’t know who’s running quality control at the Chicago plant but they need to get rid of them now.
Wow! Unbelievable. How embarrassing! More proof the clowns are running the circus at Ford.
No surprise here, proof this company is so badly mismanaged it doesn’t even know how to put the right windshield washer fluid. Why are Police Departments buying their vehicles?
I’m sure many police departments have long term contracts with FORD for police cars. But I’m sure the one’s that don’t have such deals and only but new squad cars as needed may avoid FORD at all costs. I’m sure GM and FCA aren’t too sad about this. 🙂 Too bad the CARBON E7 never got over. What could have been better than a purpose build police vehicle?
Or, it could be down to one employee making a mistake in which tank he filled. Put in the wrong fluid into the tank is something that could easily be done. I don’t think Bill Ford is staringover the shoulders of all those people.
This is not a case of a missed designed part, or Fords usual cheapening out on some electrical component, resulting in cars catching fire. They are also addressing the problem and taking care of it.
Tell me you’ve never made a mistake. .
If this was the only problem FORD has it would be not such a big deal. But given all of the other problems they have, it’s the little things that are piling up. The CEO is ultimately responsible but that in no way excuses chronic incompetence all the way down the chain of command.
No question, FMC has had too many issues with the launch of these new products. I welcomed news of the change in company leadership and hope it represents a new direction on many fronts.
Quality control has to be near the top of that list. On the other hand, the washer fluid, like hundreds of other components arriving at assembly plants, was produced by a supplier and I doubt any automaker quality tests each batch before filling those reservoirs. It’s not a safety issue but it is indicative of the importance of doing even the small things right.
You are correct. However, FORD is responsible for what goes out the door and customers don’t care why it happened but the fact that it did happen though they have the right to complain and examine the process. Sometimes I wonder is FORD hiring drug addicts or kindergarten dropouts given so many problems?
They hire who the union hall sends. They really don’t have a choice.
Sure seems like it. That’s still not much consolation to a PO’d customer who has a new car that must sit in the dealer garage instead of his own so much. Hopefully these dealers have enough loaners or vouchers for rentals. Better not count on it.
Actually, recalls are for safety defects; arising from a condition that has or could cause an injury or loss of life. They cover specific lots of vehicles and can be initiated by either the NHTSA or the manufacturer. The washer fluid could be contaminated with a corrosive or oxidizer which could cause the wiper motor/pump or other components to fail.
A Technical service bulletin (TSB) is for non safety-related issues and are not required to be reported to the NHTSA
FoMoCo needs to spend more attention on building quality products and less on being so PC. Reports of poor quality took the Corsair off of my list.
Agree. I took the Corsair off my list when I saw where the push button shifter is located. It’s in the center stack! You have to reach over to put it in drive. Designers are not thinking things through.
Except designers are thinking things through. They constantly brag about their “piano key shifter”. But honestly it’s not that bad as people think it is. I personally like the piano key shifter. When I use the piano key shifter it feels very satisfying and nice to touch however, it did take a little bit of time to get used to since it’s more of a rarity and it definitely takes up less space on the center council so I get more storage. Don’t let the gear shifter stop you from getting a Lincoln. This is clearly management issues in the Chicago plant which has made up basically all the recalls for Ford. I love my Navigator and I plan on buying the refreshed model if it gets the Sync 4 system, air suspension, and a better backseat since the aviator currently has more than the Navigator. Overall you should get what feels right for you and what has the best value in terms of features and luxuries and how much you spend compared to let’s say compared to a GLC or XT4.
Not a Dominion machine is it? Bad batch of water and alcohol.
I guess that’s better than trying to kill off your loyal customer base for years with a spring that cost just over 50cents to fix