DETROIT — Ford is recalling nearly 1.9 million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. and 93,000 of its Explorer vehicles in Canada as there is a trim piece can fly off and create a hazard for other drivers.
The recall covers Explorers from the 2011 through 2019 model years.
On Wednesday the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted documents saying that clips holding the trim that covers the roof supports close to the windshield can come loose.
In the event of that happening the trim piece can fly off and increase the risk of a crash.
The recall comes on the heels of U.S. regulators opening an investigation into the problem last January after receiving 164 consumer complaints. Canadian regulators also inquired about the problem.
Documents stated that initially, Ford decided against a recall, citing the low mass of the part. However, subsequently, the company decided to do the recall after U.S. regulators determined the problem was a safety hazard.
Ford said in a statement Wednesday that it anticipates a mere 5% of the recalled Explorers to be affected by the problem. It does, still, encourages owners to contact dealers for an inspection when parts are available.
The company acknowledged 568 consumer complaints and more than 14,000 warranty reports alleging that the parts were missing or detached. Ford further alleges that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries from the problem.
Dealers will inspect the trim pieces to make sure the clips are engaged and add adhesive to hold them in place.
Owners will be notified starting March 13.
— with files from reuters.com and ctvnews.ca
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Most manufacturers of new vehicles have not only raised the prices to beyond ridiculous levels but cheeped out so bad on the materials to build them that they are breaking down or failing five times more than the older well built vehicles.
They are also using tiny engines with turbo(s), DFI and a lot of plastic parts that *might get very slightly better mileage, but only if you do not tow anything and have a light foot on the gas pedal. These engines fail 5X as often as non turbo engines without VVT, cylinder deactivation, etc.
As far as EV’s go, everyone but Tesla is going broke. They are buggy and do not have near enough infrastructure to support them. Not near enough shops or mechanics that can repair them, and God forbid you get in an accident, you could be without your vehicle for easily 4-6 months or more.
All this hassle for no appreciable gain, in fact they will cost you much more in the long run by breaking down far more often.
It’s not a good time to buy a new vehicle when it won’t be long before the prices crash hard.